Deco Mesh Christmas Wreath

I have decided (yet again) to make another deco mesh wreath for the upcoming Christmas season.  For this project I started with a standard work wreath "pencil frame" which I ordered from www.trendytree.com.  The reason I opted for this wreath frame is because it comes with ties which are already attached to the wreath frame.

1)   I'm sure you can tell fro the picture below, I straightened out all of the ties on the wreath frame before I began working on the wreath.

2)  Start by using a 21 inch 10 yd. roll of deco mesh and gather the WIDTH of the roll together in your hand like the picture below.

3) Secure the gathered mesh down to the wreath frame by using a tie to tie down the mesh.  It doesn't matter weather you start with the TOP outer loop of the wreath frame or the BOTTOM.  The important thing is to just pick either top or bottom to begin with and continue tying down your deco-mesh until ALL of your ties (top or bottom) whichever you began with have been tied up with the deco mesh.

4) The next most important thing is that between EACH tie down you need the SAME AMOUNT of deco mesh.  I used a yard stick and measured 14 inches between EACH and EVERY tie down.  This method helps ensure even, consistent 'poofs' which you will want for your wreath.  If you prefer a smaller wreath you may want to measure out a SMALLER amount, or if you prefer a LARGER wreath, measure 14 inches or more…. just remember, no matter what size you choose to go with… make the measurements between each tie down the SAME for a consistent and even look.

5)  Once you have finished securing the deco mesh to the wreath frame you may see your results and feel a bit disappointed… however, DON'T be! … making a deco mesh wreath is a PROCESS that you have to stick with until you are finished.  the picture below shows a good 'rough draft' of what my wreath looked like once I was finished tying down all of the deco mesh.

6)  The next step was to choose other deco mesh, ribbons, bows, etc… to embellish the wreath.  I chose a 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  I started by tying down this deco mesh beginning with the same tie I used with the red deco mesh.  …. All you need to do is just untwist it a bit and then tie in your 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  Measure the same amount as before  --- 14 inches and work your way around the wreath tying in the 6 inch decorative mesh.

7) Ok, so…. here we are once I've finished tying in the 6 inch roll of decorative mesh around the wreath.  I still plan to add a few more embellishments to the wreath.

8)  The next step is to add the ribbon I chose for the wreath.  Again, I measured out the same amount as deco mesh and decorative deco mesh (14 inches) and cut numerous pieces of ribbon in that length.

9)  Because I knew I wanted to chevron the ends of my ribbon… I folded it in half like the picture below.

10)  Using a pair or scissors I cut each end at an angle in order to make the 'chevron pattern' for the ends of each ribbon.

11)  This is the second ribbon I opted to use for the wreath.  I measured out numerous pieces of ribbon (each 14 inches of length like the mesh).  I folded the ribbons in half and using a pair of scissors I cut each end at an able to 'chevron' the ends.

12)  I secured the ribbons to the same ties I used to secure the deco mesh, just untying and then tying the ribbons back into the wreath.  The picture below shows what the results were.

13)  Afterwards, I adjusted the ribbons, mesh, and other decorations to try and 'even out' the decorations on the wreath…. although I'm pretty sure there isn't much difference between the wreath below and the one above.

In the picture below I opted to add various other embellishments although I'm not sure you can see them too well.  The picture just isn't justice compared to the actual wreath …. if you look close you can see various other embellishments which I fastened down to the wreath frame.

Deco Mesh Candle Ring

Occasionally I decide that making a candle ring is a great idea for my next crafting project.  This seems simple enough but actually making and crafting the candle ring requires patience  …. The good thing is, …. you don't even need skill or talent to make one!!

This is how I began with mine.

Start with the candle you plan to make a candle ring with.  Use floral wire  and measure the amount you need to circle around the entire candle.

This circle of floral wire shows the measurement for the candle I plan to use… I did make it a tad bit bigger than my candle but that's because I wanted to make sure I had plenty of space for adding my decorations.

The next thing you do is add the deco-mesh of your choice in equal portions to the floral wire.  You can tell from the picture above there are five sections which are tied to the floral wire with matching pipe cleaners.

With each "tied down section" add a decoration or decorative item.  Remember… the deco mesh is meant to serve as a 'backdrop' to the decorations so it doesn't have to be perfect.

The picture here shows how I fastened the decorative items to the floral wire.  I just wrapped the stem of my flowers around the candle ring.

You will probably be able to see where the flowers are tied down when there is no candle in the ring… This doesn't bother me but if you prefer not to see where your decorative items are tied to the candle ring you might want to use hot-glue to attach the decorative items.

I call this one a "War Eagle Christmas" …. although I am not an Auburn fan my dear friend is.. so this is for her.

This picture is a vertical view of the candle ring.

And this one…. is the candle ring with a candle inside.

This is probably my favorite candle ring… I call this one a "Roll Tide Christmas" …. I love the white flowers…. and if you look CLOSELY you can see a little red bow next to the white flower.

Now you can see the little red bow!

I placed the candle ring on a zebra-striped charger… which gives it a really nice punch of color.

Home News Center

I have long needed a neutral spot in my home where everyone can make notes regarding what's needed, what we're out of or even what it is they want.

So.... that led me to explore Pinterest and tons of other blogs in search of a craft (affordable one at that!) which could accommodate all of my needs!... Also, did I mention I was hoping these could also be used as gifts!


Well..... here's my "Home News Center" / "Gift for Others" -- at some point.

I started with a dollar store cookie sheet and painted it black.  Afterwards, I embellished it with a "flower clip" - in the upper left corner... and then used a key with a ribbon attached (which I hooked a pen too).  

I used hot glue to attach the key and also to attach the flower clip in the left corner of the cookie sheet.

After attaching the Flower Clip in the upper left corner of the cookie sheet with hot glue I used a piece of paper from the notepad to display the flower clip.

This is the magnetic notepad.  I liked it from the beginning because there is a magnetic strip on the back which makes it usable for the purposes of a "home center" cookie sheet.

I then used a piece of Scrap Book paper to glue to the bottom of the cookie sheet in order to add some color and dimension.  There is also an "n" glued to the right side of the cookie sheet.  I chose to include this because I found numerous letters such as these on clearance one day at Michael's.!!!  Since then, I just decided I would collect those $1 items for use in future crafts... and this is exactly where I found my "Flower Clip", notepad, the letter "n" and my ink pen.

At this point I attached small hair clips to the "flower from a jar lid" craft in order to use when necessary..... the small flower hair clip here is proof that this is all you need to attach a coupon, receipt, ticket... etc to your home "news center."

This small hair clip can be used to attach useful
information to the "flower lid label" made from jar lids

From this picture you can see the "key" has been hot-glued to the top of the painted cookie sheet and that the ribbon attached to the key has been used to secure a key to for future uses.

This is a picture of the "jar lid flower" that I have used to attach a hair clip too.  I like this pick because is shows how easy it is to "clip things" even if all you have is a "baby hair pin."

From the pictures above it is easy to tell that simple jar lids and felt material are all you need to begin the project.  Cut your felt, and according to picture instructions cue a "circular flower" out of felt material and later "glue it" to the center of a mason jar lid in order to create the "flower" look in the pics above.

And finally the finished product!!  I included the letter "n" because my nieces last name begins with "n".