Halloween Wreath

(click on the picture to see it larger)

 

This wreath really only took a few days. But it took me a few years to finally finish. I would find it unfinished over the last few years and I would be angry that I didn't have the time to get it done. I told myself I would get it done for this Halloween. I did! I sat and watched the LDS General Conference at the beginning of the month and finished making about 130 paper roses. Yes I must be crazy! Finally hot glued them onto a Styrofoam wreath that I painted black. And for the finishing touch I used spray Modge Podge to make it a little shiny. I had no idea that spray Modge Podge existed but it does and its awesome!

 Here is where I started.

 Here is the wreath done without Modge Podge

 

 

 Close up on the roses

 

After the Modge Podge close up

 

The top picture is the finished product.

I'm Thankful Wreath

 

I was inspired by a wreath I saw in Family Fun this November. They wrapped a Styrofoam wreath in fun ribbon and had guests write on solid color leaves, of one shape, what they were thankful for and pin them on as they came. While I liked that idea I wanted something for the whole month that was specific to our whole family. So I came up with this instead.

 

To make this wreath I wrapped the Styrofoam wreath in burlap ribbon.

 

 

Then I picked out some patterned paper at our local Ben Franklin Store. Ben Franklin has multiple die cut shapes you can use for free with their die cut machine. So I chose three leaf shapes and an acorn to cut out.

 

 

I secured the leaves and acorns on the wreath with one, and sometimes two, straight pins.

 

 

 On the back I looped some ribbon and secured it with pins to hang it up.

 

 

 Then for Family Night last night we each took turns writing on flags, made of strips of paper, what we are thankful for. Everyone then chose a place to pin it. If you have less family memembers than us feel free to make two each or write a flag that says GIVE THANKS boldly and pin it near the top.

 

 

For storing purposes I plan to pull them all out and put them in a Ziploc so they don't bend. I will toss the flags and we will make new ones next year.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!