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Monday, August 9, 2010

Guest Project: Burlap Wreath Tutorial

When I started looking at decor blogs I talked to my mom about the ideas I saw and so she started reading them too and it wasn't long until she was hooked too. Now she is making trips to thrift stores and GW every couple days and doing all sorts of decor projects around the house.They have one of thsoe amazing GWs that I talked about here.  I'm sure my dad is just loving that I introduced her to the decor blogland as he gets dragged into projects :)

My mom doesn't have a blog so I am sharing one of her projects on mine. She made a beautiful (and thrifty) burlap wreath. Here is her tutorial...

Burlap Wreath Tutorial

Emily asked me to write about how I made my burlap wreath. It’s a fun, cheap, and easy project. I purchased a 14-inch straw wreath from Jo-Ann Fabrics for $2.49. I also bought a burlap garland for $3.99 from Michael’s. With coupons, these items would cost even less. The garland came in a roll of 10 yards and was found on the same aisle with the wreath forms. The nice thing about the garland is not having to cut strips to wrap the wreath and make the flowers. As you probably already know, burlap is messy. I did have to vacuum afterwards from the trimmings and straw.

I first wrapped my wreath with the burlap carefully overlapping so the straw wouldn’t show through. Then I began to form the flowers by twisting the strip and gluing a center with my glue gun.








Then I turned the center and twisted and glued every half inch or so until I got a flower the size I wanted. Then I cut the garland and started over.




Once I had made enough flowers to fill the wreath, I used the glue gun to attach them. Actually, only small amounts of glue are needed. Too much glue can result in burned fingers! I then tied a strip of jute between two of the flowers and around the wreath. I tied the ends to my door knocker.

I looked at my wreath for a day or so. It was cute, but it needed “something”. I finally decided to make a raffia bow. I tied it to the wreath with another piece of jute threaded through the back of the bow. It was definitely better. A little while later, I happened to pass by my craft closet and saw a basket of shells, from the Dollar Tree, on the floor. Eureka! I sat on the floor and played around with the shells, finally settling on an arrangement of three. I pulled out my trusty glue gun and glued those suckers together. I threaded another piece of jute through the openings between the shells and tied it to the top of the bow. And voila! A wreath was born!


Obviously you could glue the bow and shells to the wreath, but by tying them on, I can easily change the wreath this way. Sunflowers, daisies, or any seasonal item would look great on it. Just use your imagination.

Fabulous right? My mom has always been so crafty so I would expect nothing less. I can't wait to make one of these myself!

13 comments :

  1. I'm loving this idea!!!! I love burlap...and the possibilities are endless..but I never would have thought of this! You're so creative! I'm hosting a weekly link party on Fridays and would love to inivite you! I'm your newest follower and I love new friends...so come by FrouFrouDecor! Hope to see you there!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ FFD~

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  2. I love that ... the rolled burlap flowers are so great!

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  3. I love this idea. I have some leftover burlap from a curtain project and this would be a good use for it.

    Thanks for sharing. Feel Free to drop by my site FrouFruGal.blogspot.com to see what I've been doing.

    Suesan

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  4. You and your mom make quite the team! :) It's an absolutely beautiful wreath -- what a great idea to use burlap! Great job!!

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  5. I totally just made a fall wreath that had some burlap rosettes on it. Great minds think alike, right? Love this.

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  6. I love it! I'm in love with burlap...just bought some dark chocolate brown yesterday for a tote (did a tutorial last month on a burlap tote with shabby rose on it) so this tutorial is right up my alley. Can't wait to make one!
    xoxo

    Nancy

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  7. I love this idea! thanks for sharing. i might try this out for a fun fall wreath.

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  8. That's so pretty! I just clicked over from Tatertots and Jello to say hello.

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  9. I love this wreath! I have seen that burlap garland at Michael's and can't believe how inexpensive it is, I have to get me some!

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  10. I just ran across this and loved it! (And I just happen to have some burlap waiting for a wonderful idea like this one to come along!) Love this idea!
    Thanks,
    Rebecca
    www.ChristmasGalChronicles.blogspot.com

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  11. I got the burlap wreath all made. But for the life of me I cannot make a Raffia bow as big and good as yours, and can't find a tutorial anywhere to show me. They're all those tiny bows using your fingers. But that just won't due for a door wreath. Help please!?!?!?

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  12. Hi Rachel, I just made the raffia bow like I would tie a normal bow out of ribbon or something. I just bunched up a lot of raffia made a nice loop the size I wanted and then went around and made the knot part and the other loop kind of like tying shoes but skipping the first part prior to make a loop. I hope that helps. You can also see the bow up close on this post: http://www.laforcebewithyou.com/2010/10/fall-burlap-wreath.html

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