Sweet Brownie Queen: September 2013

So I have loved the idea of deco mesh for the last year or so, but couldn't figure out the loopy wreath look. Since I like to figure things out and do them my own way, that handicaps me sometimes. Last year I had almost everything for a Christmas wreath, but I started too late and the wire frames were sold out everywhere. I ended up ordering one for 3x's the price. I looked at some blogs/tutorials on deco mesh wreaths, but kept getting frustrated and it was almost Christmas, so I just put everything away.

I have the pumpkin/scarecrow wreath from last year on the front door, but we had painted the house this year and I wanted to put something pretty on the side garage door. This area can be seen from the kitchen and it will be seen by more people. I didn't really have a plan like I normally do; I was just going to Hobby Lobby to find some things to make a wreath out of. I saw this deco mesh and really liked it. I put it in the cart and in the back of my head was thinking - oh no, here we go again; what am I going to do with this!?! I grabbed another wire wreath frame because, even though I had one at home that is still only sporting on measly red ribbon, these things sell out fast and I didn't want to miss out. I got a roll of the orange burlap ribbon and a bunch of random Fall floral bits. Still had no real plan, but I figured I had all the materials and I would come up with something.

I searched for instructions and found a YouTube video showing how to do an easy deco mesh wreath. Ah, pipe cleaners are part of the secret! I was using floral wire, which would work, but isn't as easy. I had no idea that many of these wreaths use the large deco mesh for the base color. Oh well, I had 2 rolls of the 5" so that would have to do. Of course I watched the video and noted the main items, but disregarded the rest - I want to be creative and original! (and drive myself crazy) I attached the pipe cleaners, which we thankfully had a ton of from a Mother's Day craft Mr. SBQ and Little C did one year. I cut them in half, twisted/attached at each cross bar and then others in between on the top 2 frame wires. I started looping and bunching the mesh. I did three loops and then where they were bunched at the base, attached them to the frame with the pipe cleaner. It really does help to attach the pipe cleaners to the frame first, so you can concentrate on the mesh. I had thought that you needed to cut each section, but you don't. I made it the 85% of the way around and ran out of mesh. No! Really? I bought 2 rolls to avoid this. I was on a roll (ha!) and had some time before the Little C got home, so I raced to Hobby Lobby and got another roll of deco mesh. Thankfully they still had the same kind.

I was on my creativity high and didn't want to waste a trip to Hobby Lobby, so I got some supplies for another Christmas wreath. After my education, I bought the wide deco mesh - 2 rolls, even though 1 should be enough. My creativity wheels were turning and I realized that now that I know how to do this, I should do a giant wreath for above the fireplace. I hit the wire wreath form display and bought the biggest one they had! It's huge, I may need two more rolls of deco mesh! I have the mesh and ribbon from last year for the accents and can figure out any other embellishments later. Now, it didn't really occur to me that I was going to use all this for my mega wreath and still have the original over-priced frame in the closet. I will have to make yet another trip to get more deco mesh for that one!

Now, back to the Fall wreath. I came home and finished the deco mesh. Then I wove in the orange burlap ribbon - I had to attach more pipe cleaners as I had used all the others for the mesh loops. (The video I watched said to use the ones on the cross bars for the main color which was gathered, not looped; and to use the other ones for the accent.) I was pretty happy with how it looked as I was tucking pipe cleaners in and puffing loops. Then I looked at all the floral things I had and wasn't really sure what I was going to do with them. I gathered everything together and attached it in the center, with several full size pipe cleaners. This turned out really well and worked better than trying to tuck and secure them around the wreath.

I cut and hot glued felt to the back of the wreath hanger so it didn't scratch the paint.
Yay! My first deco mesh wreath.

Fall Wreath

Fall Wreath Center

This is the calendar that I made for my mom. I figured I should blog about it now, since it is almost time to do the next one.

She always keeps a calendar on the kitchen counter to write appointments and her bike miles on. I wanted to make her something a little nicer than the advertisement/free/plain calendars she usually uses. I made the grid for each month, had them printed at Kinkos, and then added the months/days/date. I used papers that represented things she liked such as birds, bicycles, flowers, colors. I did not use regular adhesive as I was afraid it would not hold up to the wear. I used Scor-Tape which is my favorite adhesive because you can tear off the size piece you need.

I was nervous about her reaction and if it would fit the bill. She loves it! The back side of each page does not have a calendar on it, so additional notes and information can be written there. The next one will have a little bit bigger squares for the days.

I have already started getting the papers for the 2014 calendar and just need to figure out how I am going to do each month grid.

This makes a great gift, and aside from the planning and writing in the days, doesn't take too long to put together. You can also buy pre-printed calendar pages, but to me that is like cake mix, and I like to make my own. :)