'Tis the Season

I know I haven't finished all of my Big/Little Reveal posts yet, but I just had to share my project from today! 

I was told over the weekend that I should make a Christmas-themed wreath for our door to keep our sorority house festive. Of course, my roommates selected me to do the hard work and I immediately logged into Pinterest and began browsing. I ended up stumbling upon a Christmas Tree shaped deco mesh wreath! 

              Image via: Pinterest.com

Now, even though I saw this wreath I really had no clue how to accomplish it. I originally planned to do a snowman wreath but somehow came across the tree instead. 

Usually, I'm a Hobby Lobby kind of girl but since it was Sunday I had to go to other craft stores and spent hours looking for materials. My trip proved even more difficult because I wasn't sure what kind of work wreath I needed to create this tree! 

I eventually gave up searching for the unknown and got creative. I found the wire easels typically used for floral arrangements in the floral section of my craft store and figured I could make it work. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a reference: 

Image via: http://www.mteden.com/catalog.aspx?subcat=50120&mastcat=Funeral

They had the cone shape I was looking for and I assumed with some patience and wire I could make my own wreath form. 

After messing with it for a brief amount of time, I was able to secure the middle wire of the easel by wrapping wire around it. I used pliers and wire cutters from my dad's toolbox for this disassembly. 

I then began to add wire rows to the easel to create my work wreath. This step was fairly simple and didn't take as much time as I thought. 

Next, I added pipe cleaners where I thought necessary. At this point, I was hopeful that my tree would come out the way I imagined. All I did next was form the wreath. I started by working from top to bottom. I did the left column, then the right column, and finally the middle column. 

Once I had finished these steps, I realized I had a few gaps between the columns. I added more pipe cleaners to the wreath form and continued forming my wreath. 

I didn't take pictures of my next steps, but the rest of the wreath was pretty easy! 

I created my bow "tree topper" by following the instructions on Kristen's Creations. (http://kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-make-tree-topper.html?m=1) I've used this tutorial multiple times and it's the best explanation that I've ever seen. 

I affixed my tree topper using a pipe cleaner that I attached to the deco mesh. 

My next steps involved a lot of hot glue but I didn't really have a method in which I added the beads and ornaments. Usually when I make wreaths I just kind of wing it. I don't plan much when it comes to what is being placed on the wreath. 

I first added the beads, hoping it would help me space out my ornaments. The ornaments were sporadically placed. Primarily, I just didn't want to have too many empty spots on the wreath. I also didn't want to have too many things on it either. 

Overall, I'm really happy when the way this came out! Especially since I didn't have a cone/tree work wreath! 

Let the holiday festivities begin! 

I'm Back!

I've been missing for a while. I know. I haven't had much time to blog with classes in full swing. However, a lot of exciting things (and exciting crafts) have happened since my last post! With the semester dwindling down I'll be crafting much more. While I don't have tutorials for you today I will post all the crafts I've done since the last time I posted! Enjoy (:

(P.S. I'm doing this from my phone since my internet at home is being weird. If pictures are small/blurry sorry, I will be fixing it Monday!)

(The corners are chalkboard painted now!) 

As you can tell, I joined a sorority! What a true blessing it has been. Soon I'll start crafting for Christmas! 

Wreaths upon wreaths

I've figured that I should at least show you the many wreaths I have made. Even though I don't have a picture tutorial for it, I can just verbally sum it up for you. I realized quickly that I'm OBSESSED with making wreaths. Truly.

This is the first wreath I ever made. I did it this Christmas for my grandmother. Each ornament represents the grand kids. We are all little snowmen/women and our names are on them. For my first wreath, it was not too shabby!

Of course I made a deco mesh wreath! How could I not? My great grandmother was in a nursing home after breaking her hip and I wanted to brighten up her dull room. This wreath has caused many to ask me to make them one! I'm so proud of it! And it's on Pinterest so if you've seen it there, I'm proud to claim it! (Original pinner, yeah!) 

My take on a western themes wreath. My Tia requested this and I obliged. I will say however that this was SO difficult. I couldn't grasp the western theme as strongly as I wanted. It didn't turn out awful though and she loved it so that counts for something! The black pieces are actually hot glue painted black and sprinkled in glitter! 

I put a layer of Modge Podge on top trying to seal it but it matted the glitter...a mistake I won't make again. The idea was great though!

 

And finally, a Cadbury egg & Peeps wreath! This was an "Easter basket" gift for my Tio. The peeps are wrapped in Saran Wrap so it'd be edible and last more than a day without being stale.

That's all for now! Eventually I may do a tutorial for the deco mesh wreath. I hope you enjoy these wreaths and they inspire you!