Doesn’t time always seem to run short during the holiday season? One minute you think you have four weeks to accomplish all you need to do and the next, ten people are coming for dinner in three hours! I always have great plans for creating homemade gifts and glorious decorations. But alas, I often fall short.
It’s no different this year. The first snowfall of the winter season arrived last night blanketing my mini-raised bed herb garden with a covering of snow and ice. It was a reminder to me to get cracking.
I love to do crafty things and usually choose projects that are forgiving of mistakes. I crochet rather than knit because it’s easier to hide a missed or extra stitch in a piece than it is in a knitted sweater. One of my favorite projects is the ornament wreath.
That’s Joan Toy, at the beginning of the post, holding the gorgeous wreath she made. When I saw it, I decided I ought to be able to replicate the wreath. A google search gave me several different methods:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZARZyw-GeA
- https://thehomesihavemade.com/2017/12/quick-easy-diy-ornament-wreath/
- https://stampinfool.com/how-to-make-an-ornament-wreath/
My first try was a success. Using the hot glue gun method, I created a good-sized brilliantly-colored wreath that I gave away as a present. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any pictures. After Christmas, I hit the Dollar Store and bought up boxes of the half-priced shatter-proof ornaments to use the next year.
Three years later, I have toted all of the boxes up from the basement to try again.
In the title, I used the adjectives “spectacular” and “last-minute.” Let me explain why. The colors and the reflecting light from the wreaths make them flashy and eye-catching. Folks really do Oooh and Ahhh when they see them. Secondly, you can create them in an afternoon—they don’t take forever like knitting a sweater does.
Furthermore, you can make them in all different sizes depending on the frame you use. Also, because of their round shape with a hole in the center, you could use them as a centerpiece with greens in the center. I am wondering if the same method could be used to make a tree using a styrofoam tree form??
So, back to my 2020 attempt. Some issues–of course–it’s 2020! First I couldn’t find my hot glue gun. Bought a new one and proceeded to jam it up with the glue. Bought another one and read the directions this time. Still jammed it up )-: I have gotten some glue out of it so I can show you pictures of my beginning steps.
My materials and work station:
- Card table in the middle of the living room so I can watch TV.
- Boxes of shatterproof ornaments in a variety of colors. Plan to do a purple-themed wreath first.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks.
- Ribbon for a bow or loop for hanging.
- Scissors
My first step:
- I tie a piece of ribbon around the form so I have something to use as a hanger.
- Hot gluing the ribbon to the styrofoam keeps it from slipping.
Next:
- Start hot gluing the ornaments in place.
- Try to keep the ends pointing downward and to the back.
- Sometimes you end up with holes or an end peeking out.
S0…
- You build your wreath by adding additional ornaments that cover the end pieces or holes.
- Using different sized ornaments helps in this process.
Extras:
- It’s fun to add little extra details with lightweight items.
- Your local craft store will have many possibilities from which to choose!
It is really a lot of fun to build your wreath, and it’s pretty easy to do. Some folks, I’m sure, plan out the colors ahead of time. Others just free-style the process. I hope you will try this project. Please don’t be put off because of my arguments with my hot glue guns. I will prevail in the end. (-: I am off to google jammed hot glue guns to help me solve my problem. Remember, you can find directions to do just about anything on YouTube or in a search of the internet.
For a bit more inspiration, here is a picture of a completed wreath I saw in a store (Renys–a Maine Adventure) this morning.
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