Patriotic Summer Wreath {tutorial}

I woke up Wednesday and decided I felt "crafty". Do you ever do that? Just wake up with the urge to make SOMETHING? I had been milling around the idea of a new summer wreath since before Memorial Day (kind of missed that one). I knew the exact wreath that I wanted to make so I quickly evaluated my stash and after a visit to the park we headed to Hobby Lobby for the supplies we didn't have on hand.
With supplies gathered, we were ready to begin. (I didn't end up using the pipe cleaners and I had to go back to get my burlap ribbon)

First I took my straw wreath and I wrapped sections of it with the crimson yarn.

Then I did about a quarter of the wreath in blue.

Finally I filled in small sections of white to close in the gaps. I also took a glue gun to the back to secure the loose pieces of yarn.
Voila!

Perfect! It looked exactly how, or even better than I imagined it would. I would love to say that it took me 30 minutes or less, but we all know that is a lie. It took 1-2 hours. I didn't work on it all at once, so I can't say exactly.
I went online and found a star template. You can print the star pattern paper out for yourself if you like.
Then I cut out the size I wanted (I chose the smallest) and traced ten of them on some felt. I cut them out, positioned them and glued them on.

All that was left was a hanger and I chose to add a little burlap to do the job and it was done!
PERFECT!

Another wreath to add to my growing collection. Someday I hope to have made at least 10 seasonal wreaths and as of now I think I am a little over halfway there now!
Have you been feeling crafty lately? 

Spring Wreath {DIY}

Spring is here and it has been giving me decorating urges. I usually don't get "spring cleaning" urges. I am what some would refer to as a "neat freak" and I always keep a pretty tidy house. But, there are a few areas of the house that are still not decorated 2 years later (pathetic I know) that are really starting to bug me. We also have a few honey-do projects that I am getting anxious about and I really wanted a wreath to replace the one I made last year that didn't work out so well.

Has anyone ever tried the genius Pinterest idea of making a wreath from a pool noodle? Well, I did and I declare it to be the dumbest idea ever. If this method worked for you, PLEASE let me know what you did, so I can figure out where I went wrong! What started out as a mostly round beautiful wreath ended up looking rather egg shaped, lop sided and unattractive. I was sad and disappointed. I had made several felt flowers for it so I yanked them off the best I could and put them in the craft closet to sit. Until this week.
First off, to make a yarn wrapped wreath the best thing you can use is a straw wreath from your local craft store. They are cheap and come wrapped in plastic. Use a 40% off coupon, leave the plastic on and get to wrapping and wrapping and wrapping and wrapping!

I used about 3 types of yarn I had and ended up with this.

I found burlap ribbon for 50% off.  I am always a sucker for mustard yellow.

Then I got out my flowers. Thankfully I salvaged just enough to not have to make more.

Now I have a beautiful, spring wreath that is sturdy and with a little luck, won't need replaced next year.

Which project will I take on next... .



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