mama's craft day.

the kids' craft week starts today.
but on friday my neighbor amy and i got together to make ornament wreaths for us.
no kids.
we had both been collecting old ornaments for awhile....from the thrift shop...antique store....flea markets.


we started with this.
i tried the straw wreath and amy tried the styrofoam.
mine was 18 inches and amy's was 16 inches...both from michaels.

we ripped our scrap fabric into strips.



we wrapped and hot glued the fabric the wreath.

this is what the straw wreath looked like covered in fabric.


waffle likes crafts.


before we began with the ornaments we tied ribbon onto the wreath for hanging.
(and i had a ginormous cup of coffee....)

we both had LOTS of ornamnents.

amy brought her dog miley over with her for a playdate with the waffler.
but miley could care less about waffle...she liked looking out our big windows.

we began to hot glue the ornaments down.
there was no pattern....we just started gluing them on.

amy tried putting all her big ornaments on first and filling in after with smaller ones.

i put all different sizes on all around as i went.
they both worked.

and we glued.


and GLUED.
we went through A LOT of hot glue sticks...the big big kind.

we finally had to take a lunch break after two hours.
we both had no idea it would take this long.


i finally had to leave and go pick up my kids from school when we were almost FOUR hours into this project.
we must be the slowest crafters in the world.


lauren took some pictures.....



waflle loves amy more than anyone else.
more than me.
more than craig.
she is his most favorite.

this is when we quit.
i still want to add a few more really small silver ornaments throughout....when i can get to target for more.



amy went to the store and got pink for hers and it's so cute!



i will show you mine again when i finish it.

i told craig later that night "it felt really good to just sit and make that....calming"
it was a great day for crafting.

and i found my new favorite lunch....buffalo chicken wrap at karen's kitchen!
double bonus day.

i was inspried by michelle's wreath 2 years ago and so happy that i finally made it. 

also we googled "ornament wreath" and there are pages of different wreaths to fill you with ideas.
our favorite was the one that used tinsel around the wreath instead of fabric....but we didn't have any tinsel. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

craft week starts today!
you can see last years craft week HERE 

Comments

[michelle]

haha! you were talking about the ornament wreath! DUH! i thought you were talking about the toy wreath. haha.
they turned out GORGEOUS!!! those are some huge wreaths. :)

[Christina]

You are amazing, as are the wreaths! You have the patience of Job, as my Grandma used to say. Or maybe my mom said that about my Grandma. Whatever.
(Ha. I love it when I accidentally use that word in my comments here.)
(Yes, I'm a dork.)

[sue]

You are so great at these sort of things.I now know what to do with left over Xmas balls.Now if only i could find a crafting partner,that would be nice.!

[Heather @Cookie Mondays]

I absolutely love it! LOVE old ornaments!! My whole tree is glass balls. What a fun project!

[Gemma @ Musings of a gem]

Hi Meg!

Wow they look great!! They are very funky : )

Gemma xXx

[Michelle - Australia]

Beautiful. And not just beautiful but BEAUTIFUL!!!! I am Accountant. I don't have a crafting bone in my body. But oh wow you are tempting me to try :) Now if I craft, it will be nothing short of a miracle!

[deb meyers]

Beautiful! I appreciate learning how much time it too, too.

In a fit of frustration last week I began decorating/poking whole cloves into a batch of too-sour clementines--instead of eating too many carbs, or composting the clementines. VERY calming. VERY pretty, very quick results: like little pumpkins without the seedy guts. Yet not Halloween-y.

[Lori]

That's a lot of hot glue! End result is gorgeous and I know what you mean about sitting and working on something like that. It's very therapeutic. Waffle is adorable.

[Kimberlee J.]

Gorgeous! I am completely inspired by this. I guess I better buy a glue gun, first. :)

[pam]

I made those last year...it is stunning how long it took and how much glue. They are both gorgeous. In my basement I have enough to cover a 5 ft. wire tree my husband made me last year. I saw one in a luxury hotel...got the brilliant idea I could do it too....OH GLORY. Attaching them to wire has proven difficult...looking for a new way. I might be 90 before I get it figured out and finished.

[Shana]

Hmmm...I'm tempted.
But, it takes the two things I am short on - 4 hours & focus.
Maybe next year.
Turned out super cute.

[Biz]

So pretty! I'm a rag wreath kinda girl, but that takes the better part of a day too....your kids might have fun making small ones though :)
http://busybizblogs.blogspot.com/2010/09/boo-tiful-rag-wreath-tutorial.html

http://busybizblogs.blogspot.com/2010/11/buried.html

[Sharla]

those are so fun and pretty! Now I have to start collecting ornaments. . . .

[Katy]

Ooh, that DOES look calming! And I doubt your are the slowest crafters in the world. It just takes time to make pretty things. :)

[Juliann]

HI Megan - great craft :-)) I love it! I'd love to make one, and I bet as soon as I hung it up it would fall and they'd smash and I'd cry and...well, maybe next year! :-) Its good to see your blog and watch your kiddos get so big. Can't believe Annie and Olivia are in KG this year!

[Anna Marie]

Oh I really like that Meg! You will have to tell us if the ornaments stay on good or if you have to deal with them falling off a lot. Is it super heavy? I can't believe how big it is!

[Carol S]

Super cool. I've seen these pop up here and there, and had no idea it would take all day. Looks fantastic! What a joyful, blessed week you will have crafting. Enjoy and we'll all live vicariuosly through you, lol.

[Lisa @ Shine Your Light]

Isn't it great to just sit and chat while you do something crafty? I do not do that often enough anymore. I love Miley sitting on that pillow - that was the cutest photo!

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

I would really like to do that. I have lots of old ornaments that would work perfectly. Thanks for the inspiration girls. Wish I was there with ya!

[Annie]

these turned out wonderfully! i want to host a craft night with my girlfriends in january... to ward off the after-christmas blues. wreathes would be fun to make!

[Isabel]

awesome wreath...something I'd like to do if only I knew where my glue gun is!

[Jerusalem Greer]

oh that is so great! I have a ton of vintage ornaments and I always want to buy more when I come across them. Maybe I need to make a wreath to....

[Amanda-ThriceBlessed]

I've been collecting vintage ornaments to do this very thing too! My mom says its a waste of good Shiny Brites?!

Have you seen this blog? She makes amazing wreaths and the cutest shadow boxes from the leftover boxes...
http://www.georgiapeachez.typepad.com/

[jodi @ back40life]

love it - I keep thinking I need to pick up some ornaments when I see them on sale...know you'll super enjoy it, and the time looked priceless too!

[amber]

neat! it looks easy enough for a non-crafter to make. thanks for sharing. i am very excited to see all the fun projects this week

[BriBedell]

They both look amazing! Cant wait to see your finished!

[Kim]

I bought a similar wreath (not nearly as big and full as yours) at a craft show for $20. I'm thinking it was a steal b/c I never would have had the patience to sit and glue for 4+ hours. : ) It is beautiful! Can't wait to see what your crafts are. Kim

[Grace]

Meg---
Thanks for the beautiful idea! I've coveted these when I see them new in the stores, but I haven't bought one because I'm too cheap. I LOVE the fact that you reused older ornaments on your version!

p.s. I also love that you are wearing your sunglasses in the photo. I wear mine year-round, and they are such a good headband when you don't want hair in your eyes. :)

[Kathryn]

LOVE IT! I had just posted on my facebook status yesterday that "a lil bit of creativity is like therapy for me" and it is SO true.

[Lora]

LOVE*LOVE*LOVE

I've been wanting to make a christmas wreath. I see so many pretty ones on blogs. Maybe I should get up from the computer and do it!

[virginia]

so pretty!

[Michelle]

oh my goodness. . .i must make one. i love wreaths. . .they are all over the house year round- my husband says it's out of control. i better make this one when he isn't home . . . he will like it more if he doesn't know it's coming!

[eva]

I so want to do this.. even if it will take me 4 + hours - it looks fab.. and I think it would be calming for me too hehe:)

[Crystal]

ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and on my list of things to do for next year. I need to start collecting ornaments now:) How many would you say are on each one?

[Bluebell]

I made an ornament wreath last year...and like you thought it wouldn't be a timely craft.....I sat through 3 movies before I finished mine! But I absolutely love it and it's the first thing I brought out this year!

[Tracy Fisher]

love. love. love it!!! i hope you don't mind if i copy you... that is if i get around to it.. haha.
-Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)

[taralee]

these are GORGEOUS! thanks for sharing...

saw these RAINBOW soaps and thought of you -- "rainbow meg" is the name i use when i'm telling my husband about your blog, so he know who i'm talking about.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62408290/rainbow-soap-sticks

[Courtney Walsh]

awww, these are super fun!! We are going to do crafts at home when we go. I have a big long list, but this one just moved up to the tippy top!! FUN! :)

[dawn]

LOVE*LOVE*LOVE!!! They look fabulous!!! So much better than some I've seen in stores... Yours are more full and unique. Good job!

[Sandy]

Love the wreaths! My mother in law made a huge one several years ago with pine cones...took her forever but it was beautiful.

Can I please see a close up of the white framed tags above the bookshelf behind Amy & Waffle? Curious to know what those are in the frame??? Thanks :)

[Georgia]

Christmas crafts!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
Yay! im so excited for the crafty 12 days ahead!

xxx

[Janet]

Great wreath! I love it.. its so happy!

[Lucylu ~]

Awesome i LOVE the wreaths! soooooo cute! <3 <3

[kat]

I love ornament wreaths and have been wanting to make one for a while now. I probably should just go ahead and do it already. Yours turned out super cute!

[Jen]

Lovely! Do you answer questions? Can you hang your wreath outside? Also- do you have any idea of the dimensions of your sweet kitchen sitting area? We're building and considering a room like yours!
Thanks!
Jen

[Darcie L.]

Just watched the movie "Date Night" with some girl friends, and one of the quotes in it is, " I just want to sit and eat my lunch alone with no one touching me, and sip my Diet Sprite." I totally agreed... It is fun to sit and do your own craft for hours, isn't it? :-)

[Tonya]

Those turned out darling! I don't know if I would have lasted as long as you girls did...kudos!

[Kristin]

Oh my that is amazing. :)

[Melanie]

I love it Meg and I can see why it makes you happy:)

[kristine]

they look great! i love them! i can't believe they took so long though! ha ha at least now i will know ahead if/when i attempt it myself!

[betsy]

* Beautiful! Now I want to start collecting, too! Maybe a project for 2011 :)
* My Minnie loves my friends more than me, too. Maybe because friends don't yell at my dog for eating MY underwear! :(
* I gotta know the scoop. What is in that frame above Amy's head in the last 2 pictures? Is that another fun, crafty project?
* My friends & I call days like this, "Crafternoons". Those are the best kinds of days! It energizes me to do the boring, tedious chores in my life.

[Laura Phelps]

Because I love you I can say this...I HATE YOU!
grrrr
I want to make that wreathe!
OK
So on Wednesday I will be posting my shopping spree at SIS BOOM...
and the wreathes..oh my! The wreathes!!! Just like the ones you both made!
beautiful

I love crafts
I love the inspiration
I love how it does calm you
and yes, I love you
even though I said I hate you
I still really do love you

[Terrie Galle]

Megan...I have stumbled upon your blog and can't tell you how many smiles you put on my face! I LOVE your blog, ideas and your craftiness! :) When I found it, I thought...this can't be the Megan I know from CM can it? Yep it is!! Love your wreath...and plan to make one! I can't wait for 3 years though! I'm hoping Target, Hobby Lobby & Michael's have some great sales soon so I can make mine! You & your family are adorable!

[Kim]

That. Is. Awesome! Love love love those wreaths! Wish I had your craftiness.

[Jenn]

Oh, WOW. Those are awesome! Nice work Meg! I am inspired to start collecting ornaments from thrift shops. That's the kind of gift that would TOTALLY make my mom cry. SWEET.

[Kelly]

Great job! I made one once and I know the patience it takes!!! Store very, very carefully. :) Lauren's pics are really fun. Kelly

p.s. also love the pic of waffle with the wreath form around his neck. so glad he likes crafts. :)

[Lisa]

L.O.V.E. them! They are gorgeous! Ditto to what Kelly said - store them VERY carefully. I made one several years ago and the next year about 1/3 of my ornaments were broken. I'm inspired by yours - I'm tempted to give it another go - maybe with plastic ornaments this time. :-) Merry Christmas!

[Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage]

Meg..the wreath is gorgeous...I have been picking up vintage ornaments but am sure that I don't yet have enough...I too was inspired by a picture....1 year ago.....could you guess-tamate how many ornaments you used? I don't know how much longer that I can wait to make my wreath....yours is simply beautiful....thanks for the waffle pic....I love that dog!!!!!

[tami]

What a great holiday craft!!!

[jennyonthespot]

I want to make a wreath with you... Those are gorgeous!

[Heather Crawford]

Love these types of wreaths..wondering if you saw this post by Eddie Ross..it looked a little easier than all that gluing? I'm going to try it this way...

http://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2008/12/no-wire-hangers-well-maybe-just-one.html

[loniann]

I made one and LOVE it. It was a lot of fun and took a lot of bulbs! Thanks for sharing all your ideas. I love your blog. Now, what is the next wreath? We need a spring project! Happy New Year!

[Kathy]

Love this wreath. A friend made it and posted it to share on facebook. After reading your directions my daughter and I both thought we could handle this one. Neither one of us has a creative bone and both very meticulous. So, I have a question. I bought straw wreaths (half the cost of foam). Your directions don't say whether I should remove the plastic from the wreath. I just don't know how well it is held together and I thought since it's being wrapped in fabric it won't matter one way or the other. Anyway, would like input from a crafty being. Thanks and Happy New Year!

[Kathy]

Me again. Just read the post above me. My daughter and I both got to thinking that we could make one for Easter using all sizes of plastic Easter eggs! For Valentines you could get a heart shaped straw wreath and cover it in plastic hearts in red, pink and white. Halloween - small plastic pumpkins, fall leaves, goblins or any other Halloween related plastic objects (witches, Frankensteins, etc)Give me time and I'll think of more projects.

[Allison Plott]

This looks soooo awesome! And something to do when I the semester is over! Thanks so much!

[Michelle from Australia]

I've done it! I've done it! I've done it! Meg, I saw this last year and VOWED that I would do it. This is a HUGE deal as I have never, ever crafted at all. And yesterday, craft novice moi, did it!! I am so proud of myself. Thanks for the inspiration.