Wednesday, February 22, 2017

A little bit of tranquility...


Kalaloch Beach - Washington Coast - in the fog. Photoshop can be so much fun! This reminds me of a John Ebner watercolor, if only!

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Valentine Wreath


Valentine's Day is almost here! Can you believe it? Today I have a quick and easy wreath tutorial using items you might already have. I'm sure you have seen versions of this wreath around the web...hope you like my version and find my tutorial easy to follow. There are several options to make this wreath completely your own!

Items Needed:
Cardboard  (Amazon Box?)
Scissors
Coffee Filters (about 65 total - 35 pink and 30 white. Wreath size approximately 14 inches by across by 11 inches tall by 2 inches wide to fill in) 
Permanent Double Sided Tape
Optional Items:
Rotary Cutter
Self Healing Mat
Freezer Paper
Red Food Color
Low Temp Glue Gun
Tabs From Two Soda/Beer Cans (no judgement here!)
Ribbon

Step One - optional: Color your coffee filters...they only take a few minutes to dry.



Use a small bowl and add a few drops of red food coloring then add some water and mix well. Just dip the fluted edges of the filters (10 or so at a time) in the bowl and watch the color move up. Separate and place on paper towels to dry. Note: If you make a larger cardboard form you will need more coffee filters.

Step Two - optional: Cut the fluted edges into petals as pictured below.



This makes the filters look a little like roses when they are gathered and placed on the cardboard form. Iron the filters if needed then stack them together and cut away!  You get a slightly different look when you don't do this step. Note: You can also use natural colored coffee filters.

Step Three - optional: Make the template for the cardboard form.



My finished template is approximately 14 inches across by 11 inches tall by 2 inches wide.  Cut out the template, iron to the cardboard and mark with a pencil or marker. (I like the pencil better because it makes a tiny indent for your rotary cutter...just a little easier.)

Step Four: Make the cardboard form.


If not using a template make a heart shape approximately 14 inches across by 11 inches tall by 2 inches wide. Cut out the cardboard using a rotary cutter or scissors. Note: If you make a larger cardboard form or one to fill in completely you will need more coffee filters.


Step Five - optional: Make the hangers for attaching the ribbon to hang the heart.


Yippee, you get to use your low temp glue gun. Bend your two soda tabs slightly and glue the portion without the hole to the cardboard form. Make sure to have the hole side of the tab on the top and place on the top portion of the heart with the hole flared away from the cardboard. Use lots and lots of glue and let it dry before proceeding.

Step Six: Gather the filters and make a flower shape.


Step Seven: Tape to cardboard form.


Apply your permanent double sided tape to the cardboard form then press a gathered filter onto the tape. Continue taping then gathering and pressing more filters until the form is completely covered in the design of your choice.

Step Eight - optional: Add ribbon to hang the heart.


I used two pieces of 1/2 inch satin ribbon, each about 22 inches long. If you skip this step then just push your cardboard onto your nail, still cute.

Step Nine: Admire!


I would love to see a photo of your finished wreath!