6.29.2011

Summer DIY Wreath

Happy Hump Day Readers!  Where are the weeks going?  It seems to me that Mondays and Tuesdays drag on and then next thing I know it's Wednesday...then Thursday...and Friday and the week's over!

I'd like to start today's post by apologizing to all of you readers (especially some of my new ones for not reading/commenting as much this week).  I've been busy, busy--I'm with the Cuties all day and then have been going to Mary Kay trainings and/or catching up with friends at night.  I haven't been getting home til 9 or 10 or sometimes even later each night.  On top of that, my computer's wireless has been really funky, it holds a connection for about 15 min and then loses it and I have to try and reconnect.  Because of all this I have been in a blog reading slump--I have been trying my best to keep up, but please forgive me if I haven't checked out your blog yet or lately!

Now onto today's post!  I am thrilled to share a gorgeous, EASY summer DIY project with you:  A Cocktail Umbrella wreath.

This wreath is just what you need to add some summer charm to your front door and would also be a great housewarming gift.

The cuties and I made this last week and it cost less than $15! We bought all of our supplies at Ben Franklin Crafts and Party City.  We started with a 16 in straw wreath for $4.99 and a yard of pink wired ribbon for around $2.  (I would recommend getting a little longer if you want to tie a bow at the top, otherwise, a yard is plenty.)  Then, at Party City, we bought a pack of Cocktail Umbrellas for $5.99 and have tons left over for fun drinks throughout the summer and even another wreath or two!

And now for the steps.  This project doesn't even really require steps, because I literally saw a picture and then just figured it out as I went, but I'll tell you what I did.

  1. Wrap your ribbon around the top of the wreath where you would like it placed.  (If you do not do this at the beginning, you will not be able to fit it or will smoosh the umbrellas in the process of trying to make it fit.
  2. Stick the umbrellas into the wreath in an overlapping fashion alternating colors.  (We followed no specific color pattern, but just made sure all colors were used evenly.  We also alternated our positioning of the umbrellas, making sure that all of one color wasn't at the bottom being covered by others or vice versa.)
  3. Make your way around the umbrella.  
  • Additionally, we did not use any glue, however, depending on your wreath you may want to dab a little glue on the points of the umbrellas to hold them in place, however, the straw was tight enough that we were pretty sure ours would not come lose.
  • Also occasionally as working, we would lift the wreath up and put it against the door to make sure that no straw from the inside of the circle was peaking out, it is not necessary to cover the whole wreath, just make sure that your umbrellas are placed so that when hanging you do not see any straw.
  • Finally, if you are using a straw wreath like we did, you may want to work outside, because the straw sheds a lot as you're working!



Cutie B playing with the umbrellas.
His job was to get the rubber bands off of the umbrellas and open them up!

The lovely Cutie A
She helped me with the layout and design of the umbrella and also helped stick them into the wreath.

Voila!

It really pops on their bright lime door!

It was quite fun revealing the wreath to the Cuties' mama.  We made it at my house and let her know that we had a surprise for her when she got home.  She actually beat us home, so once we got back we banished her to her office while we hung the wreath on the front door.  We then told her she had to go check the mail.  In the process, she discovered the wreath and loved it and thought it would make the neighbors quite envious!


Do you keep a wreath on your front door?

If you haven't already, please be sure to enter my Mary Kay giveaway and check out the 15% off sale I'm offering readers!!  See here!

Also, don't forget that I'm accepting any and all questions from my readers to compile in a post.  You can submit questions by commenting on Friday's post, here, or by emailing me at sundressesandsmiles@gmail.com!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!