Red, White, & Blue Independence Day Wreath

This is my Independence Day Wreath. Usually I have an idea of how I want my projects to look before I start, but I had no idea with this one. I just started crafting, using whatever I had on hand, and this is how it turned out. I think it's pretty cute.

 

First, I wrapped a floral ring in blue yarn. Then I hand-stitched some felt stars and added some buttons and little bows.

Finally, I added some curly ribbon because I thought they kind of look like fireworks!

It kind of has an old-fashioned crafty vibe to it.

What does your Independence Day wreath look like this year?

Minnie Mouse Wreath: Tutorial

I have been sharing some of the crafts I made for my 4-year-old's Minnie Mouse Themed Birthday Party. This is a wreath I made in the shape of Minnie Mouse. It was actually really simple. 

Here are the supplies I used:

1- 12" box wire wreath frame (found at JoAnn's)

2- 6" box wire wreath frames (also from JoAnn's)

3 rolls of black wired burlap ribbon. I originally bought two rolls, then had to go back to the store for a third. I found the ribbon at Michael's.

1.5" red and white polka dot ribbon (found at Hobby Lobby)

Packing tape

Pliers, needle and thread, and glue gun (not pictured)

The wreath frames were held together by pieces of wire that were bent up around the inner and outer circles. This is a little complicated to explain, but I will do my best: I pulled open the outer bends of two wreaths with pliers and then slid the outer circle of each wreath inside the opposites wreath's wire bend then pinched them back closed. In the picture you can see that both wreaths are secured by both wires.

I attached both 6" wreaths to the 12" wreath to form the Minnie head with the wires as described above and then secured it with some packing tape to make sure it all stayed in place.

Next, I took the end of the burlap ribbon, slid it up from the back of the wreath, and tied a knot around the outer wreath wire. (This picture was taken from the back of the wreath).

Next, I pulled the ribbon up between the two outer most wires and made a little loop. The size of the loop depends on how full you want the wreath to be. My loop was about the width of two fingers. Next, you twist the loop sideways to hold it in place. The next loop will be between the middle two wires and then the following loop will be between the two inner most wires. You will repeat the loops and twists, moving from one space in the wreath to the next, then down to the next row. You always want each new loop to be separated from the last one by a wire so that it will all stay together. This may mean jumping around a little bit as you work your way around the wreath. For example, as you move down to the next row, you will want to make your loop between the middle two wires instead of making a loop directly below the previous one. (I hope that all made sense!)

Here is the wreath taking shape. Continue working around the entire wreath until everything is covered.

For the bow I took my ribbon and made two big loops.

Then I added four more loops.

To keep it all together I hand stitched it down the middle.

Next, I pulled the thread to gather the loops and wrapped the thread around the center tightly.

I took another little piece of ribbon, folded it in thirds, and wrapped it around the center of the bow to cover the thread. I secured it in back with a little hot glue.

I took some thread through the back of the bow and tied the bow in place on the wreath.

This wreath was really simple and it looked great hanging on our front door!

Have you ever made a burlap ribbon wreath? What occasion did you make it for?

Frugal Craft: Easter Wreath

Here is a really quick, easy, and inexpensive Easter Wreath I made. I think it turned out pretty cute and I love all the Spring colors!

Here are my supplies:

Wreath- $2.29 regular price at Michael's. I used a 50% off coupon and got it for $1.14. You can also make your own wreath from cardboard or foam board which would make it ever cheaper or free!

Easter Eggs- I got two packs of 42 and used all but two. The packs were $1.97 each at Walmart, so just under $4 total.

Ribbon- Free because I had it on hand. If you don't have any ribbon you can get it really inexpensively at any craft store and you will only need a little.

Glue gun and glue sticks which I always have on hand.

Grand Total- just over $5, but you could actually make it for even less!

I started by gluing the eggs to the wreath. I glued a ring of eggs to the inner edge of the wreath and then a ring right on top of the wreath.

Next, I glued eggs to the outer edge. At this point I decided to thread my ribbon through because there was a perfect little gap in the eggs.

Finally, I glued eggs in all the gaps around the wreath and done! It probably took me just under an hour to finish the project, which I thought was pretty good!

What kind of Easter Wreath did you make this year? Are you working on any last minute Easter crafts?

Nautical Themed Baby Shower Ideas

One of my friends is expecting a new baby boy next month! I helped with her baby showers and thought I would share some of the ideas I used.

For her first shower I was asked by the hostess to make a banner. The shower was a nautical theme, so this is the design I came up with.

I cut the shapes out with my Cricut.

I used 3-D glue dots to glue the shapes to the background and add a little interest to the banner (unfortunately you can't really tell in the picture, but I promise it looked good!)

I used some jute cord to string the letters together.

The other Young Women leaders and I hosted the second shower for our Mutual (Church) activity (You can learn more about the Young Women Program here). Without consulting with the hostess of the first shower, we ended up with the same nautical theme! Both showers were inspired by the nursery theme that the mom-to-be came up with.

This is the invitation that I made for the shower. I used picmonkey to design it. I recently discovered this site and am having fun designing things like handouts for YW and invitations with it.

We had Dirty Coke Zeros to drink. I printed off some free party circles here. I punched a hole in the top and the bottom and slid them onto the straws for a little something extra!

I tied peppermint LifeSavers around the silverware with some jute cord. I got the idea for it here.

The banner was another free printable found here. It was cute and sooo easy just print, cut, and string together!

Along with pie, we had some other little refreshments. I tried to tie them all in with the theme. We had Chips Ahoy! cookies, LifeSavers candies, Sailor's Knots (pretzels), Fishing Bait (sour gummy worms), Sailing Rope (Red Vines), Swedish Fish, and Goldfish. I got a few of the refreshment ideas here and the rest I brainstormed myself. I printed off some free menu tents here and tied them around the jars as labels for the treats.

Here is a life preserver wreath I made to use as a decoration. I was inspired by this one found here. It was really easy to make: a Styrofoam wreath wrapped in navy and white yarn, a little thick jute cord, and some red and white striped ribbon!

I enjoy throwing parties and this was an especially fun one to put on! Will you be planning a baby shower soon? What is the theme for the event?

Frugal Craft: Shamrock Wreath

I love doing crafts, but sometimes they can be pricey. I am always trying to figure out ways that I can craft frugally. I think it makes the craft even more fun when you can make it super inexpensively. Who doesn't love something that is cute AND cheap!?!

I made this cute shamrock wreath for St. Patrick's Day. I think it is adorable and the best part is that you can make it for about $5 or less!

Here are my supplies:

Wreath- $2.29 regular price at Michael's (less if you use a coupon!) You can also make your own wreath from cardboard or foam board which would make it even cheaper or free!

Foam Shamrocks- $1 per pack at Dollar Tree. I used two packs.

Ribbon- Free because I had it on hand. If you don't have any ribbon you can get it really inexpensively at any craft store and you will only need a little- leaving the extra for another fun future craft!

Yarn- this is totally optional. I had it for another project so I used it to wrap the wreath, but you get really good coverage from the shamrocks so it isn't even really necessary. I used very little yarn, probably less than $1's worth.

So, I spent about $5 on supplies, but you could definitely make it for much less!

FYI- I may or may not have seen a wreath VERY similar to this selling for $35!!! Make this and you could save yourself at least $30!

I wrapped the wreath with yarn and then hot glued the shamrocks on. Add some ribbon to hang it and you are done! The yarn took some time, but the gluing only took about 10 minutes- super quick and easy!

Don't you love how it sparkles?

Do you like to make inexpensive crafts? What have you made lately?

Valentine's Day Mantel

I have been working on lots of Valentine's Day crafts, now you get to see them all displayed on my mantel. I really like how it turned out. I think all the different crafts and colors came together perfectly!

The final crafts I made were some yarn wrapped letters. I took pictures thinking that I was going to show how I did it, but honestly the project was a lot harder than it looks. I am a perfectionist and I had to start over at least ten times because the yarn was slipping out of place or clumping up. If I hadn't already spent so much time on it, I would have just thrown in the towel! I like how it turned out, but not that it was my arch nemesis for a couple of days until I got it figured out and completed!

Here are a couple of my final touches. I wrapped lace around some of my red, pink, and cream candles and then tied on some cute little heart buttons I found with raffia or jute ribbon.

The left side.

The right side.

The entire mantel. What do you think?

If you want details on any of the crafts you can find them here: "Hugs & Kisses blocks", button heart, ribbon wreath, Scrabble "love" blocks, Valentine's Day countdown.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Do you have any fun plans with your family or sweetheart?

Valentine's Day Ribbon Wreath: How-to

I recently made this Valentine's Day Ribbon Wreath. It was really quick and really easy. I originally planned on using this heart wreath to make a yarn wrapped argyle wreath, but when I went to the store they were out. I came up with this instead. The next time I was at the store, the large hearts were back in stock so I bought one to use for this new project. I took some pictures along the way in case anyone is interested in making one too!

First, I gathered some supplies. I got the 12" heart wreath at Hobby Lobby for about $2 (after a Hobby Lobby coupon, of course). Then I gathered up some ribbon of various sizes. All the 3/8" ribbon was from Michael's. They were on sale for 50% off so they were around $1 each. I already had the 7/8" ribbon and 1-1/2" ribbon in my stash.

Next, I cut the ribbon in about 4-5" strips (I just wrapped the ribbon around the wreath allowing for a little bit to overlap and then cut a bunch that size- nothing too precise).

Then I started gluing. I hot glued one end of the ribbon to the back of wreath, wrapped the ribbon around and glued the other end on top. Super easy.

Then I just kept gluing. I didn't have a plan in mind, just kind of made it up as I went.

And done. As my kids would say, "Ta-da!" Quick, easy, and cute- the best kind of craft.

What Valentine's decorations are you making this year? Have you ever tried a ribbon wreath?