Simple Spring Wreath Tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you a super simple wreath tutorial!  It involves cutting, tying knots and using mostly items you probably already have- so anyone can do this.  I needed some spring color to brighten up our home so yellow is what I went for, I love the bright pop of color!  Ok, let's get started..

The first thing you need to do is gather your supplies.  I used an embroidery hoop for my wreath base.  If you don't have one already they are super easy to find - either at your local craft store, walmart and even target now has them and they are usually under $2.  Next you need to decide on fabric.  I used all scarp items like an old table cloth, sheet and t shirt.  I also used some yellow felt I already had on hand.  Just use what you have!

It really is just as simple as cutting strips of fabric...and they don't have to be perfect (obviously from my photo) and tying the strips in knots around your hoop.  After you have it all tired I usually grab my scissors and trim around the wreath to make it a little more even.

So easy and sweet!  I love using things I already have on hand to make something new.  If you didn't have fabric you could also use ribbon or burlap...or old t-shirts like I did.

The most difficult thing about this wreath is probably the time but I got mine done in under an hour and all while watching HGTV of course...not too bad.  

Spring Wreath DIY

I always love this time of year.  Things start warming up, the days start getting longer, you see little buds and blooms pop up, the grass turns greener, the air is fresh - its just wonderful.  Then the pollen comes and the humidity is quick to follow...but we won't talk about that.  Today is all about feeling springy and cheery.  I have a little wreath/embroidery to share with you today.  It meets my three criteria for projects- easy, simple and cheap.  For projects like this, just use what you have already and be creative.  No need to spend a bunch of money on seasonal decor.  I used pretty much leftover supplies from other projects to make this one.

For this project I used:

- Embroidery Hoops  (4"&12")

- Scrap Fabric

- Scrap lace ribbon & felt

- Embroidery Thread

You will also need a hot glue gun and needle

First step is getting your fabric framed inside your small hoop and then you just cut your felt and ribbon to the size you want and lightly hot glue it down to your fabric.  Cut a longer strip of fabric for the bigger hoop and wrap it around the entire hoop.  I used a little hot glue and the beginning and end to secure it.  I kind of love the frayed ends and shabby chic feeling of this so no need to fret over frays or fringe.  This fabric is actually a leftover kitchen towel from my luggage rack redo and the shower curtain I used when we built our fabric ottoman.  Both are from Target in case you are wondering.

Ok, don't let the next part scare you.  I simply stitched a little "happy" into my embroidery.  I was going for a vintage/shabby chic feel so its just a quick free-handed embroidery.  Really, really easy.  I don't sew at all and I can do this - so can you!

I also made a few rosettes out of my scrap fabric/kitchen towel for the larger hoop.  I used the same technique as I did with these felt no sew flowers.  They are super easy to make.  

Finish it off with a little lace ribbon and you are done!  Now my little faux mantel is starting to look all springy and bright.  

This milk glass vase and turquoise ball jar are two of my favorite things.  Now I just need some of our flowers to spring up so I have something to put in them.

Aren't you guys ready for pretty spring days?  What kind of springy projects are you working on?  Share with me!

Have a great Wednesday!

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A Scrap Wreath & Serving God

So back in December I made a little yarn and felt flower wreath to adorn our front door for the winter.  I finally decided it was time to switch it up and make a new wreath to greet us when we come home.  Here's the thing, I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on this and since I already had a foam wreath ring, I ended up spending zero dollars - woohoo!  This might not have been the wreath I would have made if I went to the store and bought brand new supply items but I happen to really love it - maybe it's because it was free.  Can I just say this rusty red door color has got to go...don't worry we are working on it.

Here are the supplies I used for making my scrap wreath:

- foam wreath form

- leftover scrap ribbon

- t-shirt rosettes

- left over plastic flower cabs

- a vintage earring

- beads

-glue gun

So I started wrapping my wreath form in leftover ribbon that I had in my ribbon box.  I tried to choose a few colors that went well together and just went with it.  I kind of liked the color blocking going on here - that's in style now right?

While rummaging through my craft supplies trying to come up with things that would work for this wreath I came across some fabric rosettes that I had made months and months ago and never used.  I actually made these from an old t-shirt.  The blue ones I just dyed with some food coloring.  I love making fabric rosettes, they are super easy - again same technique as I did when I made my rosette necklace.  Here's a great tutorial.

I hot glued the fabric roses on and then rummaged and found and old vintage earring, a flower glass bead and a few plastic flower cabs.  A little more hot glue and it was feeling complete.  If you are wondering where to get plastic flower cabs, then look no further than etsy.  You can find them all over the place on there and in a ton of different colors and varieties.  

I love the added touch of this vintage earring, it's kind of my favorite thing on this wreath.

And yay, I have a new wreath and didn't spend any money.  Now I can go get a new pair of shoes (kidding....or maybe not).

This week we wrapped up our Crazy Love bible study that we have been working on for the last 10 weeks with out students.  It's been a great study that has really challenged all of us at some level.  One of the things we talked about and reflected on was how we were serving God by using the time, talents, gifts and abilities He has given us - now.  Many times we shy away from serving God in the here-and-now because we focus too much on the things we don't have. Often times, we say things like one day we will do (fill in the blank) for God when I have more (fill int he blank) or are more prepared.  The reality is though that God has prepared you for this moment - right now to serve Him in some way.  If He has called you (and if you are a Christian, you are called) -He has equipped you.  We challenged ourselves to think about the interests, abilities, talents, etc that we all have and how we could use those to serve God in some way.  I loved listening to the students think through this answer.  Some shared that they loved being around people - so we talked about how they could serve God by sharing God's love with others, through thing like praying for others, listening, talking, giving, etc.  One shared that they enjoyed doing things for others - like service projects.  One shared they had a platform in band and they wanted to use that for God's glory.  One has shared about his ability to work on cars and how he wanted to use that to share God's love with others by helping those in need.  Others are creative, like to sing, are good tweeters - you get the point.  Pretty much God can use any part of you to work towards loving and serving Him, we just have to be obedient.  I think that's pretty cool and somehow using what I had to make a wreath reminded me of using what I have for serving God.  

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

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