The Circle Unbroken

There are some tacky looking wreaths out there, people. Every time I walk into a craft store, especially at Christmas, I'm kind of bowled over by how over-the-top they make these things. I think it's much easier to make your own, especially if you have a good craft stash, because you can make it pretty simply and economically, and you can dismantle it easily and make a new one in a flash.

This was my previous wreath:



Can't really dismantle this one - actually, it kind of tries to dismantle itself. I hot glued the corks on, which wasn't a good idea for a hot Florida summer and a constantly slamming door. Maybe Liquid Nails would have been better?

I think the one I made for Kristen turned out better. Hopefully it survived the trip to Charleston without losing too many corks in route!



For my new one, I started with a $0.25 grapevine wreath I got from the church rummage sale.



Then I got a few supplies: Liquid Stitch, two sheets of cream colored felt, starfish, and scissors:



The tutorial I used for felt roses said to cut them out of the square shape, but I would suggest making a circle first. Then cut around...


...and around...



Until I got to the end. Then I folded the middle and started wrapping...


...and wrapping...


..and wrapping...



...until I got the rose the size I wanted it. Then I squirted it with a little Liquid Stitch and pinned it so it would stay.



I also took a small square of felt and put some Liquid Stitch and glued it to the back to give the flower some stability (and a good base for putting it on the wreath).



Two sheets of felt got me six flowers - five for the wreath and one for me for later. Not sure what I'll do with it yet but at least I have one ready for felt flower emergencies (they happen).



I took out the pins (well, most of them!) and then I glued them onto the wreath with good ol' hot glue and added a starfish - odd numbers are good, folks. Which kills my sense of order, but whatever. All for the sake of style!



And then some coordinating ribbon - it's hard to find things that go with an eggplant purple front door. This one is kind of a light teal satin.



Voila! A new wreath, which can easily be taken apart and turned into a new new wreath - or something totally different!

Adding this to....