Crafty Bitch: Round Two

I’m back and between you and I, I think I’ve really outdone myself. Last weekend, after an entire week of being snowed/iced in, I was finally able to get out of the house. Since Super Bowl XLV was taking over Dallas, I decided to stay in the ‘burbs for the entire weekend. Since the hubby is in the middle of busy season, he often has to work weekends, so with no friends in the ‘burbs, I was on my own. So I decided to get crafty! I was hoping to tackle no-sew curtains for the master bathroom (as I’m very anxious to finish the re-do of that room), but had a bit of a fabric store fail. Joann’s Fabric was a freaking nightmare. Who is willing to literally “take a number” to get fabric cut? Not this girl. So that’s a craft for another day.

Instead, I decided to make a yarn wreath. Sounds kind of country bumpkin, right? Now before you cue the “Beverly Hillbillies” theme song and your mind automatically goes to the deliciously ‘90s “make your own potholder” loom kit when you think “yarn crafts,” hold tight. (Side note: Am I the only one to use this kit to make my own shitty potholder and give it to my grandma like it was the best gift ever?)

OK, let’s get back on topic. The yarn wreaths are actually really cute. My sister did one with antique buttons that inspired the idea! And let’s face it, my orange, autumn berry wreath is still up. Embarrassing. I’m shocked I haven’t received a “warning post card” from the Homeowners Association.

If you want a more in-depth, how-to on how to do this, check out Danielle Burkleo’s super-cute blog. She gives a way better tutorial than me. What can I say? I’m a crafting newbie. Now I’ll give you my quick run-down.
The supplies (a bare wooden wreath, a roll of yarn and a few pieces of felt):

First, wrap the yarn around the wreath until it’s entirely covered. It took me an entire roll of yarn – and let’s face it – about two hours to do this. I did it while watching the Super Bowl.

Next, it was time to make the flowers. Take a piece of felt and cut it into a wavy circle.

Then, start cutting in a circular strip until you get to the center (see below).

Then, start wrapping the felt tightly. The larger the circle and the more you cut, the larger the rose. So I made a few sizes. Once you get to the circular end, paste the base to the rose. I used craft glue, but hot glue would work, too!

Proud crafter with my first handmade flower:

Then, pin (or glue the flowers) onto the wreath. I pinned them so I can easily remove them if I’d like to re-do the look of the wreath without all the yarn-wrapping again.

So, here’s the end result. Not bad for a novice crafter!

All in all, it took me about the length of the Super Bowl game (so however long that is? 3.5 hours?), but it only cost about $11. A quick search on Etsy showed comparable wreaths at $25-80, so I feel it was time well-spent!