Week 11: Fall Tulle Wreath

Hi everyone!

Keeping with the fall theme, I wanted to tackle making a wreath.  There are TONS of wreath ideas out there (see pins below), and yet, I had issues finding blog tutorials out there.  I talked to one of my coworkers who is SUPER crafty and took her advice on how to make this project. a couple of weeks ago, Joann's had a 60% off sale on tulle by the yard (depending on the kind).  So I got a bunch of tulle for REAL cheap (less than $15 as opposed to close to $25-$30).  Not knowing how much I would need, I ended up with about 24 yards in 9 different colors.  I also got an 10 inch wire wreath form for $2.49.

Since I am soooo far behind on my posts, I wanted to put up some pictures (just in time for Thanksgiving) if anyone wants to tackle this!  I was originally going to make this with an 18" wreath and do big chunks of colors, but decided to switch to the 10" wreath and alternate the colors.  SO EASY.  And since I didn't have to glue anything, it was really easy to start over and move colors around as needed :)

The incredibly short version of this tutorial is the following.  I cut the colors into 15" long strips (my tulle came doubled over when I unwrapped it from being cut at Joann's, and this was perfect) and they were about 6" wide.  I believe I used 81 strips altogether (9 different colors, 9 strips of the same color).  I just did a slip knot around the wreath form and "fluffed" the ends of the tulle so it would look nice and full.  I also hot glued some leaves and fall twigs to a ribbon and tied that ribbon around the wreath (so that I could take off the leaves and twigs if I hated it).

Pins-
http://pinterest.com/pin/191191946650255544/

http://pinterest.com/pin/191191946650255552/

My materials:

Putting the wreath together:

The optional materials to add the leaves and twigs:

Gather and bundle to your liking (I used floral wire) and then hot glue to ribbon:

When dry, tie ribbon with leaves around the wreath:

Final Product:

Since I did get this up so late; here is a Pin of an Xmas version that could be made too :)  This one has felt flowers, but you could do the same thing with ribbons and hot glue like I did.

Pin- http://pinterest.com/pin/191191946650255546/

Week 7: Halloween Lantern

Hi all!

I am getting this post up on a Tuesday; better than a Thursday!

As I have mentioned in other posts, the reason why I like doing these projects is because it's about inspiration.  I love the fact that I can reuse items for the future, use a project to escape reality (hi grad school!), fit in a project when I so little time (hi grad school), I can be thrifty or cheap, or for whatever other reason I can think of under the sun :)

This week happened to be a quick project week.  I have SO much going on with grad school this term, I just wanted to do something quick just as a release from the insanity :)  A couple of weeks ago I spotted a lantern that I thought was adorable at IKEA for $7.99.  I remembered a pin I saw using lanterns for holding Xmas ornaments.  I figured, "hey, why not use this lantern for Halloween too!"  When I got home, I was looking at my pins and saw I actually DID pin this idea for Halloween too ;)  Sometimes you forget your pins (those of you who use Pinterest KNOW you have repinned before!).

Pins that inspired-
http://pinterest.com/pin/194818796/

http://pinterest.com/pin/133750994/

Knowing I would get around to this eventually, I bought (on sale at Joann's) glitter skulls, and pumpkin jingle bells in black, purple, and an orange-ish/red-ish color.  If I ever get around to it, I'll throw in some mini pumpkins if I can find them cheap.

Next, I opened up the lantern and just started putting the items in :)

Tada!!!  Quick and easy!  I think it took me about 5-10 minutes if that.  I'd definitely say go for this project because it can add a pop of color so quickly :)