A close up of the scalloped, ruffled layers for today's Halloween topiary.

Here’s how today’s tutorial for this Scalloped, Ruffled & Paper Crafted Halloween Topiary came to be. When I saw this layout by Shannon Tidwell in the October 2010 issue of Scrapbooks etc., I was intrigued by the layers of scalloped paper. You can see my scribbled idea for creating a topiary using this same concept.

The scalloped layers Shannon Tidwell used on her layout inspired our topiary.

I then called Patty Schaffer, who is a fabulous paper crafter (her etsy shop is a must-see!). Patty was game for giving it a whirl, and you can see the results here. I really love the extra pompom trim, too. So cute!

Patty's Scalloped, Ruffled & Paper Crafted Halloween Topiary.

Patty added mini pompom trip around the base of the mini cone at the tippy-top.

So, choose your favorite scrapbook papers and get going! Thank you, Patty, for the inspiration. Here are her instructions:

To make the Scalloped, Ruffled & Paper Crafted Halloween Topiary, you’ll need:

• STYROFOAM Brand Foam: 9” x 4” cone
• Scrapbook paper, 12” x 12”, five coordinating sheets
• Applique pins
• Mini pompom trim, 6” length
• Glue dots, mini
• Tools: Scalloped edge border punch; fingernail scissors or other fine tip scissors

To make the Scalloped, Ruffled & Paper Crafted Halloween Topiary:

1. Cut four – five 1” x 12” strips from each of the patterned papers (you can always cut more, if needed).

2. Add a scalloped edge to each strip with the scalloped edge border punch.

3. Cut small, 1/8” deep snips along un-punched edge of paper strips. These small snips will help the paper strip curve around the cone and fit flat.

4. Start at the bottom of the cone and pin the scalloped edge strip around the cone, scallops facing down. Pin frequently along the top snipped edge to help hold the shape around the curve of the cone.

5. Repeat, alternating papers as you cover the cone. Always start at the back of the cone, and trim excess length as you go. Continue till cone is covered.

6. Make a mini cone from one of the papers and pin it to the top of the cone.

7. To hide the seam at the base of the mini cone, attach pompom trim using mini glue dots.

And there you have it! How are you decorating for Halloween?

Happy crafting!

Sharon