As an artist, I always have leftover paint or ink which I hate wasting. So I tend to use up leftovers on envelopes, bags and papers.

I store them in a colourful set of drawers in my studio, separated into their colours, along with wrapping paper and found papers.

I like to use them in collage artworks like this one called The Nickle Nackle Tree, after a cherished childhood picture book.

I also love to use them in decorative craft projects around the house.
I decided I’d like to make a wreath based on my Nickle Nackle Tree artwork.
So I cut lots of leaf shapes from a whole host of papers.

Then I cut a wreath shape from a beer carton (fortified at the bends with pieces of card and tape)

I then painted the wreath base with copper coloured acrylic paint.

Then I glued a selection of the leaf shapes around the wreath. I used Liquid Nails glue, but you could use a glue gun instead, or even basic craft glue.

It looks great, but didn’t use anywhere near as many leaves as I thought it would!

With all the leftover leaves I made a garland, by stapling them to a piece of ribbon.