Getting Crafty

For those that truly know me, they know that I love doing crafty things, but always feel like I don't have all the supplies, and if I don't have all the supplies for these great projects, it doesn't happen.

Well, it finally happened.

Last week, I had a math training out in Issaquah, and afterwards needed to stop at Michael's for paint. Ian has heard me rant about how I wanted to make a wreath, specifically every day during December, and I always came up with a reason why I couldn't (no supplies, too expensive, let's just buy one, don't know how...). Anyway, I saw an empty "grapevine" wreath and knew that I could indeed make a wreath.

So there I am, in the store with 6 bottles of paint, a wreath, and on pinterest searching cute wreaths that I might have a chance of mastering. I found one, chose some burlap, a white "B", green wire ties, and got 5 different beautiful flowers. I checked out, inquired about a teacher discount I heard on the intercom, and got an additional 15% off! Score. I was so thrilled to get a deal and that I was actually going to make a wreath.

Now, in my distant childhood, my mom used to make elaborate and beautiful wreaths for the holidays, so I honed in on the skills I didn't pick up or find interesting then, and went to work. I laid out the wreath like I wanted it, and decided that I only wanted 4 flowers. Then I cut them stems off with the wire clippers I didn't know we had, and tried to tie the flower heads in place...unsuccessfully. They just fell out. So then I took my time, wound carefully, and bam! They stuck. I attached the "B." Then came the burlap. Nobody told me how challenging burlap is to work with. Pieces were coming out all over, fibers were sticking to me, and it was just a mess. I chopped off a length that I thought would be long enough for a bow, and then googled how to make a bow. Theme of this craft? Sing praises for technology and craftier strangers than me. I got the dang bow tied after a few tries, but it was floppy. Obviously I should have splurged for the wire lined ribbon, so I just weaved some of the green wire through it to help it keep its shape. Last step? Hang it up on our jingle bell wreath holder because that's the only one we had (and it hung empty throughout Christmas so it needed a little love).

Two hours, and the wreath making business has begun. I am super pleased with how it turned out! What do you think?

Voila!

My plan is to change out the flowers depending on the season. One wreath, and infinite possibilities!

Pictured below: last stop of the 12th Man hunt to win tickets to the Super Bowl. We didn't win, but we had a fun time running all over the city with many other Seahawks fans!

The Black Hole Sculpture