Bow Wreath, the lazy way.

Im sure you have seen something, In a home goods store, craft fair, thrift store, or favorite etsy store, and thought, "hey, I could make that!"

Sometimes, you have to stop and ask yourself "but will I?" "how much is it worth to me to have been the one to have made it?" "Will mine even turn out better?" "How much will the supplies cost?" "how much time do I want to put into this?"

I had one of those moments at the Humane Society Thrift store one day looking for cheap Christmas decor when I saw this:

Thinking, "thats just a bunch of store bought bows glued to a wreath form. Ive worked with wreath forms before (spring and 4th of July) , I can make that"

I took a look at the back and sure enough, theyre just hot-glued on there.

and then I noticed the price, $2. hmm there are lots of goodies in my shopping basket already... I have some random bows in my Christmas wrapping box, and even more I found when I organized my other wrapping supplies. But I wasnt sure if I would have enough of coordinating colors, but bows are cheap right? Then I remembered that the only wreath forms at Dollar Tree were pretty small. I decided that making a wreath like this would cost more $ and take lots more time than buying it.

Although I get satisfaction in crafting, I knew I would have lots to do this month, and I would be prouder of other craft items, I didnt need to make a wreath for this holiday too.

So I gave my $2 to the poor homeless animals and saved myself time, energy and money.

There are lots of great wreath ideas out there, but I needed something that is weather resistant. we have NO cover or overhang of any kind out our front door, yet.

Here is a great looking wreath from Atelier Caroline

I'm thinking I have bunches of tulle left over from the wedding, and tulle is cheap, and for the most part water proof, so I might make one like this for the other door...

Tammy from The Sweet Spot made her wreath using stuff from the Dollar Tree:

Im thinking, could even be done with pieces of plastic shopping bags from the recycling and a bent wire hanger as the base...

Alex at Crafting with my Cub even made her gorgeous wreath for $6.

I have lots of miscellaneous ornaments and a blank wreath I could attatch with hotglue...

Nope, (so far), Ive taken the easy way out. Don't judge, I'm toting around a canteloup in my belly, just came off a 3 day migraine, and Dad-in-law just came home after 11 days in the hospital. So Im not ashamed of my lazyness.

Im linking to A Little Knick Knack's EBTKS Party

and

Momnivore's Creative Juice Thursday

and

Somewhat Simples Winter Holiday Party

and

Vintage Wanna Be's Talent Tuesday

our door is patriotic.

so i found so many great wreaths after i found the one that inspired me to make my spring wreath when i found inspiration for this one in the July 2010 Good Housekeeping












i had to make it. but i didnt like how some of the flags were upside down. but to make it full enough without upside-down flags, i thought first of using curling ribbon like Embellished Bayou did last spring but at the dollar tree, i could get either $3 of curling ribbon, or about $6 of pre-curled ribbon, or $1 for a red white and blue tinsel garland. and well im on a budget, and i didnt want to copy my spring wreath too much. so garland it was.

i made 2, one for our home and one for my Aunt and Uncle's house, they always host a great fireworks show and bbq on the 4th.

each wreath cost $2.10 (i made 2 for $4.20)

the base is a styrofoam circle $1 dollar tree.
the garland was also from the dollar tree for $1 but only used half of the garland on each wreath
(you can raid christmas decor for the garland red, blue or silver would work)
the flag picks were from Joann Fabrics. was 40% off of $2 so $1.20 there were more than enough of them for both wreaths, extras can be used on food on the the 4th or can make it fuller.

i painted the styrofoam base with leftover paint from a previous project then wrapped the garland around the base candy-cane style. I used a regular office stapler to attatch it.
then, i just poked the picks in. i broke some of them to make them shorter to fill in better.

im linking to It’s A Blog Party 's 4th of July Party! and Centsational Girl's Stars and Stripes party

Spring is on the Door.

Brown is NOT a Christmas color, but that was the color of our wreath, because it was February. Time to take it down, or better yet, replace it. Some very crafty Nesties inspired me to make this Curley Ribbon Wreath. I was inspired here: http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2010/03/diy-curly-ribbon-wreath.html