Thursday, November 5, 2009

Deck the doors!

In the process of writing up a tutorial for my paper flowers technique, I was trying to think of unique was to incorporate them into a project. And, like a lightning bolt, it hit me... these would make an AWESOME Christmas wreath. Then, when I discovered that the American Crafts "Flair!" was the p.e.r.f.e.c.t. size to cover the brads in the center of the flowers... it was like the crafting gods had their divine intervention!



What you will need...

For the wreath base:
*One 18" styrofoam wreath
*16 yards of ribbon to wrap the wreath base with (all my ribbons are the American Crafts holiday line sold at Michael's in individual 3 yard rolls... you'll need 6 rolls)
*One roll of extra-wide wired ribbon for the bow at the top of the wreath
*Picture hanging wire
*Hot glue gun

For the flowers:
*One sheet each of 6 different styles of patterned paper (all papers and other products here are from the new American Crafts holiday line)
*24 large brads
*24 rubberbands (I use the colored rubberbands you can buy for children's hair at the grocery store... don't worry about the colors b/c you won't see them)
*Glue dots
*3 packages of American Crafts holiday Flair! (coincidentally, there are 3 different set of Flair! with 8 designs per package. That equals 24 pieces of Flair!... which is exactly how many flowers you will need. See, I told you... divine intervention of the crafting gods!)

Start out by wrapping the wreath with ribbon, securing along the way with hot glue. Ideally, it would be great if you could get 6 rolls of the same ribbon. However, if your Michael's is as small as mine, you will only be able to get 2 of the same design. It's not that big of a deal. You won't really see it anyway when the wreath is done... unless you're looking at it from the side. And who really looks at it like that if it's on your front door? Not me. Anyhow, wrap the wreath...



Set the wreath aside, and start working on your flowers per the previously mentioned tutorial. Each sheet of patterned paper will provide you with (4) 5" squares to make flowers from. Once you have the basic flowers assembled, glitter the edges of them with glitter glue. Usually, I'm the biggest Stickles advocate, but in this case... I used the cheap stuff from Michael's. Trust me... you'll need that big bottle, and it gets a thicker line of glitter that is preferable for this project...



Then, add your Flair! to the middle of the flowers, and you'll be done with them. Now, all you have to do is adhere them to the wreath base using hot glue. I overlapped them so that none of the ribbon below was visible. This will leave you with a gap at the top, but that's okay because we're going to cover it up with that pretty bow! Just tie a simple bow from a 2' length of extra-wide wired ribbon, and trim the ends. Secure the bow to the wreath with more hot glue, and run a length of picture wire through the back of it to provide a hanger for your wreath. Voila! Now, you've got a beautiful wreath that will greet your guests at the front door year after year.



**THANK YOU so much to all of the ladies over at 2Peas that voted for my wreath... #1 by votes in LESS THAN 45 minutes! That's just freaking amazing. And, layout of the day to boot! Thank you!!! xoxoxo, Holly**

46 comments:

Unknown said...

that is a great wreath! love it!

Grace said...

what a cute wreath! Love it Grace

Jocelyn said...

Oh Holly this is just PERFECT!!!! I adore it and I have got to try to make this!!!!!! You are so talented!!!!! Thanks for the how to!!!! :-)

Lia said...

wow Holly this is just amazing! It's utterly beautiful!!

Ronda Palazzari said...

are ya kidding me? When i saw it, the first thing i did was click vote. It is stunning. Absolutely stunning.

bethchien said...

YOU ARE JUST TOO AWESOME!

Carole said...

What pattern did you use for your flowers - they are darling !!

Paige Taylor Evans said...

OMG. This is the cutest idea ever. I love it. And I love AC, so glad you're on the team :)

Sonia said...

gorgoueS!!!!!!! I can't wait to try out your tutorial :)

my paper love studio said...

oh... just adore this!!! love it!

Kim Faucher said...

wow, this is so cute!!! Love the flowers edge with the glitter!!

Jennifer Davis said...

just genius! i saw this on 2peas this morning and had to come here and leave you a comment here too! just fantastic all around!

LollyChops said...

Such an amazing wreath Holly! I am totally going to be making one of these!!!!

Zarah said...

That is just AMAZING!!

Theresa said...

Your wreath is fantastic! I order my AC Flair this morning so that I can make one for myself! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea!

Melonie said...

WOW Holly! That is an amazing wreath! Nobody does Christmas like Holly Hanks!! Off to dig out my Flair;)

Tessa Ann* said...

This is GORGEOUS!!!
I will be definitely making one :)
THank you for the inspiration, Holly!

Ann said...

awesome project - can't wait to try it!! Do you just glue the flair brads on to the flower centers?? thanks so much for the tutorial...

Deirdre said...

AMAZING wreath, thanks for sharing your technique with us.

A Soldier Girl said...

Girl this is stunning seriously stunning .. WOW ... make sure you place this in a secure place prior to PCS season lol.

Love it girl .. you need to submit this to Scrapbook Trends Simply Handmade .. juss sayin.

Liz said...

Holly - this is really one of those amazing projects that comes along every great once in a while. Glad you got this notion in your brain and thanks for sharing. Just wonderful.

The Inked Stamper said...

Thanks for sharing this! I love it and can't wait to make one!!!

catz said...

wow...this is amazing....already made a flower to try it out......awesome design, will give this a shot.......cannot wait to make it!! thanks you so much for the inspiration!! Teresa

Cathy R. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cathy R. said...

OMG!! You did it again!! What a beautiful wreath, Holly! You always come up with these amazing Christmas decorations. I still love the Christmas banner you made last year!

metrochic said...

you're a genius. those flowers RULE.

McMGrad89 said...

That was a great wreath and the flower tutorial was super too. Thanks for sharing.

Arlie said...

I love this, what a great idea - I'm so glad I stumbled onto your blog!

Anonymous said...

Found your blog thanks to Just a Scrappin', and soooo glad!!! What an adorable wreath! I think I am going to do this, and get rid of the tired old wreath we usually put up! LOL

Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to seeing your other projects!

Lisa Sturgill
LisaRN499@aol.com

Jean Saporito said...

This wreath is great. I might try making one myself. Thanks

MizMaryAnn said...

What a beautiful wreath. Great instructions also.

Unknown said...

I've looked at lots of projects and said to myself, Oh, I'd love to make that and never did. THIS (at least the flowers) I WILL make! Great job Holly!!

Jilian said...

I tripped upon your blog yesterday...and will now be a devoted follower! Oh and I tried a flower last night and they are pretty simple (I do have to get different rubber bands though like you said)..but I can't wait to make that wreath!

Christi said...

Thanks for the wonderful instructions...planning to make this soon. Just so cute! Where did you find the really big brads? I'm having a hard time finding them.

Christi said...

Thanks Holly for pointing me in the right direction on the really big brads! It definitely helps.

Beth said...

Olá!
Que linda guirlanda!!Delicada e original.
Parabéns.

Michelle said...

Gorgeous! Love seeing your creations.

XxJULESxX said...

wow well done you!! it caught my eye it's just so beautiful!!!!

sherree said...

your wreath is just amazing I have been admiring it and wanting to make one since last year when I saw it on two peas. I finally was able to make a Halloween wreath thanks to your wonderful tutorial :) love your craftiness ....

Unknown said...

how did you make the flowers... please email me at

i love this, and want to make it..

Cheryl said...

I just ran across this wreath on Pinterest. Me and my daughters love this wreath and want to make one with a spring theme. We can not find your tutorial on how to make these paper flowers. Can you sent it to me in a link to scottgriff02@ gmail.com?

Thank you so much

Cheryl

Cheryl said...

I just ran across this wreath on Pinterest. Me and my daughters love this wreath and want to make one with a spring theme. We can not find your tutorial on how to make these paper flowers. Can you sent it to me in a link to scottgriff02@ gmail.com?

Thank you so much

Cheryl

Unknown said...

Did you ever get the link to make flowers?

Unknown said...

Did you have a link on how to make flower'?

Unknown said...

Did you have a link on how to make flower'?

Dee said...

Could you post the link to how to make the flowers? I really love this wreath and would like to try to make it.

Thank you,
DJ