Muse 1: Getting Started/Digging Out Wreath

MUSE #1

Fact: I am not a professional nor experienced wreath maker.

However, I had an idea for a cute little wreath for my door that would be a good post-Christmas and pre-Spring theme. Connecticut, as part of New England, has less snowfall than Maine and above. But we do spend a fair amount of time digging out, especially the last two years. Which led to my inspiration.

I gathered a few supplies and put them aside for a future project. And there they sat until today. So, to get this wreath out of a paper bag and into reality I put it all out on the table and then thought about how to proceed.

First, I called my Mother-In-Law, because, Fact: She is a professional and experienced wreath maker. She gave me a few tips including how to repair a crack in the Styrofoam circle of the wreath base. (Which is what happens when you leave a project untouched in a shopping bag for a month). She suggested I add glue to toothpicks and use them to connect the two sides together. 

Good as new! And now on to the steps...

Step #1: (Also a professional tip from MIL) Wrap twine or floral wire around the Styrofoam circle and tie of off each end. If, when the circle is covered, it breaks in the decorating process the twine keeps the circle from falling apart into pieces. Now I don't want to say that is a possibility with me or anything, (roll eyes here), but precaution is always advised when doing something new or fragile. And think of the frustration that is saved when a wreath is already covered in ribbon or fabric and then breaks apart mid-process. This saves you from having to start over from scratch or toss the whole thing!

Step #2: Cover the circle with fleece. I used a roll of "snow village" poly fleece similar to batting. I laid the circle down on the back of the fleece and, using pinking shears, cut a large square as if I was going to gift wrap it. Then I cut a "+" in the middle. I folded the four corners inside the circle over the foam and adhered with hot glue. Then I folded the outside corners in over the circle and adhered again with hot glue. I worked my around, tucking points of fleece over onto dabs hot glue. Then I trimmed the extra. I was not looking to make a tight fit, I wanted some play in it to look like snow drifting.

Step #3: Add sparkle. In this case, I wrapped silver star garland around the fleece covered circle. I twisted off the first end then wrapped it around the circle until I felt like I had enough on the background. I wanted it only as an embellishment in the background.

<----- This is what happens when the garland gets away from you.

Then I got it under control ----->

Step #4: Make the shovel. Take an empty toilet paper roll and cut about 1/4 off the roll. Flatten slightly. From the scrap, cut a small rectangle with another rectangle cut from the center. Paint both sides of the 2/3 of the roll and the rectangle with silver paint - I used Viva Decor Chrome. Let dry. 


Then cut an approximately 10" x 12" piece of brown card stock. (This technique not shown.) Run it through and wood grain embosser folder and machine like the Big Kick and ink it brown on the edges and to highlight the pattern. Add adhesive with a Xyron machine or tape runner, lay a piece of balsa wood, thin strip of card board or shish kebab bamboo skewer on one side for support. Fold the brown card stock in half lengthwise on the long edge, adhering it over the support. Hot glue the toilet roll curve to the bottom horizontally and the rectangle to the top as a handle. 

Step #5: Lay out the parts. I used plastic, glittered snowflake ornaments I found on sale post-holiday and moved them around to try and find the best arrangement. I glued the shovel first, since I wanted dimension with the snowflakes. Using pins and hot glue, I fixed the ornaments where I wanted them to go. 

Step#6: I added a twist of garland to the top center, after determining how I wanted it to hang. I wanted the wreath to hang so that the shovel was at a bit of an angle, like it is leaning on a wall between snowfalls. 

And the completed wreath on the inside of my front door.