Pin 46, 47 & 48 Felt Wreath and Felt flowers and keeping Pipe Insulation from bending or being odd shaped

Pin 46  The Felt Wreath

I am totally into wreaths right now.   I'm not sure why.  Could be that I just am happy to cover some of my bare walls, or the fact that I have been really pleased with all the ones that I have tried so far (probably both).  The kids have their own TV area upstairs in the loft.   It is a good size room and one of the remaining areas that I haven't really decorated.  I wanted to make something to hang on the walls.  While there are a few thing up, they still look pretty empty.   I came across this wreath and thought it would be perfect.

Source: kimmccrary.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I wanted to do the wreath in Ohio State colors, which I already had on hand.  So I went and grabbed my Scarlet and Grey felt, and tried to make sure I had enough.  I used the 8x11 sheets you can grab at Hobby Lobby because I had a ton of them already.  If you have to go out and buy felt for this project I would suggest buying it by the yard in the fabric department.  2/3 of a yard should be about what you need  for one wreath.....If you are using the sheets you will need at least 12-15 sheets, maybe more depending on how tightly you place your circles.

For this project:

Felt
3" Circle Template
Sharpie
Scissors
Pins (General purpose, the "normal" silver ones)
Wreath Form
Any Embellishments you might want to add
Ribbon to hang your wreath
Hot Glue Gun/ Glue Sticks (for embellishments)

I traced the bottom of a soup can onto a piece of cereal box that was heading for the recycling bin, and used that as my template.  Then I spent what felt like the next 20 years of my life tracing circles onto the felt.  I was doing enough to make two wreaths.



Once you get them all traced you get to cut them all out.   When you are cutting them out, cut on the inside of the black line so you don't see any of the black marker on your circles.  I thought tracing felt like it took forever, well then cutting out the circles felt like it took an eternity.



Once you have your million or so circles (about 120-150 actually per color) It's time to gather your wreath form and pins.  I used pipe insulation from a home improvement store to make my wreath forms. 



Take a felt circle and fold it in half



Then fold it in half again.



Place your folded circle over the wreath form and use your pins to attach.  I found if you put your pins in at an angle they hold more securely..  I started filling in my wreath in the middle and outsides first.


 Just keep pinning in your circles till your wreath is full.  Halfway through mine I realized that I didn't like the red and grey together in the wreath.   I took mine apart and started fresh, making one all red and one all grey.  This time I didn't fill in middle and outside first.........




and the finished product



I really kind of like these.  I need to pick up a few more pieces of grey felt to fill in a few gaps, but that won't take long.  If your looking for a simple project I would suggest giving this one a try.

Pin 47  Felt Flowers

I have seen the felt flowers all over, and thought they would be the perfect embellishment for the felt wreath......plus I already had the circles cut! 

Source: projectwedding.com via Nicole on Pinterest

or

Source: saifou.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I folded my circles the same way I did for the wreath.  I glued mine, I did not sew them.   Follow the directions and just glue instead of sew.   If I had been making these for something that might be handled on a regular basis, like as a hair accessory or a pin then I would have sewn them.  These were going on the wreath so hot glue was fine.



Because the felt is thicker then the material used in the first pin, this only took 6 circles.  4 for the base and two in the middle, and they fluffed up and made it look full.   If anyone would like more detailed pictures just leave a comment. 

Pin 48  Keeping Pipe Insulation used as a Wreath Form from Bending & Creasing.

Using Pipe Insulation can be a little tricky.  It doesn't always like to cooperate and stay in a circle.  It likes to bend and crease, and many times look more like an oval than a circle.   If you have tried it and got discouraged, please read this next pin and give it another try!

 

Source: gailmade.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

 Following her method really does make a difference.  If you haven't tried using pipe insulation as a wreath form,  I love it.  It is much cheaper, and once you get the hang of it, pretty easy to work with.  If you have tried it before,  please don't be afraid to try it again.

Pin 24 Re-Visited The Coffee Filter Wreath

I was never totally happy with the first coffee filter wreath that I did.  It wasn't just my trimming...Lol!  That was just BAD!  There was just something off about the whole thing.  Don't get me wrong, I liked it enough.  I mean, it's still hanging in my Dining Room above the hutch.  Granted we don't use that room much......ha!  I decided to try it again.  Why not,  I still had everything I needed.

Inspiration Pins

Source: lowescreativeideas.com via Nicole on Pinterest

 

Source: thenester.com via Nicole on Pinterest

This time I went with White filters instead of Natural.  Not really because I liked the look any better more because when I bought supplies the first time around  I bought two packs of each, and white was what was left.  I also knew this time I needed to be more careful as I placed the filters so I wouldn't have trim.  I just knew if I had trim this one, I would probably ruin it too! 

Supplies Needed:

Coffee Filters  (2 packs)
Wreath Form (cardboard cut in any shape you want would work)
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
Any Embellishments you might want to add
*Hanger

*I didn't use anything to hang it with.  The form itself sat just fine on the nail in the wall.

I used a MDF flat wreath form that I picked up at Micheal's.  A piece of cardboard cut in a circle would work well also.  The Coffee Filters barely weigh anything at all.



I decided instead of folding them in half, then half again like I did last time that I was just going to fold them in half once.  This way I could just use one across the whole wreath instead of trying to lay two next to each other just right.


The hardest part for me was keeping the same space between each filter.  If you have the ability to trim things evenly then this wouldn't be that big of deal.  I was just determined to not trim this wreath. I had my doubts that this one was going to be better......


 Just keep going around the whole circle.  It will feel like it is taking forever.   I caught up on a few episodes of Dexter and did a couple loads of laundry while making mine.   Once they are all glued on you can decide if you want to keep it plain or add any embellishments.   I decided to add some glitter (which I still need to even out) and a few embellishments.  





This is a bigger wreath then  the first one I did and I used less coffee filters for this one.  It went pretty quick and once I even out the glitter I will be happy with this one.  Best thing was that I didn't have to trim this one at all!  Woot!  Woot!

Pin 28 & 29 The Ornament Wreath and Pipe insulation as a Wreath Form

It seems no matter where I go I see Ornament Wreaths, whether it be online or in the store, they are everywhere.  I'm a huge fan of the wreath, but not so much of the price tag.  Pinterest is full of examples and how to's, so I thought I can do this.  After making a few I can see why they cost what they do.....they use a TON of ornaments.

 

Source: pinerly.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: eddieross.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: thehomelessfinch.blogspot.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I didn't want to spend a lot of money on fancy ornaments.  I wanted to wait and see if I could even make one that I would want to hang up for all to see.  I hit up the Dollar Tree.  I bought 15 packs of ornaments for each wreath.  I actually had bought that many because I wanted to use some as fillers in vases, but turned out I needed them.  So my theory is after you think you have enough in your cart, add a couple more.  The first one I did I used a white Styrofoam form from Micheal's.  The second I tried using some pipe insulation as a wreath form from another pin

 

Source: thepennyparlor.com via Nicole on Pinterest

What You Need:

Ornaments (and lots of 'em)
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
String or Ribbon to Hang the Wreath
Wreath Form or Pipe Insulation
*Garland or Ribbon to wrap Wreath Form
*Duct Tape
Embellishments if wanted

*You only need the duct tape if you are using the pipe insulation, and wrapping your wreath form with garland or ribbon is optional. It helps hide any gaps between ornaments.

I took my insulation, realized that I needed it just a bit bigger, cut some off another piece and duct taped them together.  I didn't measure......I just eyeballed it and went with what I thought would look right. I didn't end up with a perfect circle (I think because of the added piece) but decided, the heck with it and moved on to the next step.



Ignore the Halloween Tablecloth......It's my "crafting" tablecloth.  This way I don't have to try and be neat...lol!  Next you are going to take your garland/ribbon and wrap the wreath.  I was not precise about mine.  I bought my garland at the Dollar Tree.  I attached my string to hang it with at this point in the project also.


Now you want to take your bigger bulbs and glue them along the inside and outside of the wreath form.


Take your smaller bulbs and basically just fill in the wreath.  Just go with whatever looks right to you.  I used 3 different sized bulbs.  I used the larger ones to line the inside and outside of the wreath form, the medium ones along the edge of the ornaments and the wreath, and the smaller ones to fill in the gaps.


Once you get all your gaps filled in you can add any embellishments that you want to add.  I added a silver glittery bow (also the Dollar Tree)


 I think it took me longer to open all the containers of ornaments then it did to put the wreath together.  Well.......once I stopped over thinking placement.  I was trying to put them in a pattern at first, then just went with whatever I picked up next.  Here is another one that I made.


I really want to take the bulb off that is on the side sticking out, but once these babies are glued down they don't want to come off!  I really want to make a few more of these because they are pretty fun, and quick.  I just don't have anywhere else to put them.  I will be keeping my eye out for after the holiday sales, so I can get some different ornaments.

 

Pin 24 Coffee Filter Wreath

I'm apparently on a wreath kick........Every wreath I see on Pinterest just seems to be calling my name.  I swear they are forcing me to try them!  I have no choice!  Lol!  I have been intrigued by the coffee filter wreaths.  I mean, come on, can they really look as in cool in person, as all the pics look online?  Well...........yes!  Yes, they do look pretty darn good in person too!  Simple, a bit time consuming, but worth it! 

Source: lowescreativeideas.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: thenester.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I gathered my supplies

Coffee filters ( I used about 250)
Wreath Shape (a piece of cardboard cut in a circle would work)
Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
Scissors
Any Embellishments you want

I used an MDF form that I picked up at Michaels a while back.

I went with the natural coffee filters for my wreath.  I just liked the look.  I was planning on putting it in my dining room if it turned out ok, so I felt the natural look would blend better with the Americana theme.  My next one will be white. 



Fold your coffee filter in half, then in half again.  Then lay them opposite each other on your form, with the middles overlapping a bit. Pretty much just eyeball it.  Lay them how you like 'em.



Then Just keeping gluing them all around the wreath.  I took a break half way through, not because it's hard, just because it got a bit boring.....If things look a bit wonky don't frett.  You'll be giving it a "haircut" once everything is all glued on.



Now is when it really shows that my photography skills are very minimal.  I just plain suck!  When I get good pics, it is purely out of luck........

I will definitely try and get a better pic, because this does this wreath no justice at all.  It does show that my trimming skills are not great either.  I still want to add another embellishment but I have yet to decide so I hung it up above the hutch in my dining room and I'm hoping that as I keep walking by it inspiration will hit......

A slightly better (I know,not by much) picture of the wreath.


I can't wait to try it again (even though it was boring)