Valentine's Day Wreath

Hello friends, family and fans!
I hope your new year is starting off wonderfully. So far my new year has been great. I have been taking a MUCH needed break and trying to rest before customs are back in business on February 1st. Apparently I worked too hard over the holidays (which I feel very fortunate for even though I was exhausted) and pinched a nerve in my shoulder. So now I am forced to relax while I take meds, rest, ice and PRAY that it gets better soon. In the meantime I have made this lovely wreath and decided to post a tutorial for all of you to make your own. Enjoy and make sure you email me (tobi@iveyhandcrafted.com) with your finished projects or post them on my facebook wall

Tools Needed:

1: Yo Yo Makers - found here
2 & 4: 14 inch straw wreath (you can pick any size) - found here
3: embroidery thread

5: your favorite buttons
6: felt in several colors
7: your choice of fabric
8: yarn in your color choice - I bought these here

not pictured - sharp scissors, needle, glue gun

1st Step:

wrap your wreath - take a seat on the couch in front of your favorite tv show, this can take a while ;)
DO NOT TAKE OFF THE PLASTIC WRAP! Makes the process easier and cleaner.

1. begin by tying off your starting point
2. wrap with first color skipping an even amount for next color
3. wrap with second color, tie off on the back

2nd step:
Make your yo yo's! If you haven't made yo yo's before.....be ready to be addicted. I discovered these handy little yo yo makers on my craft retreat and have NEVER looked back. There are fantastic step by step instructions here or if you want to do it the old fashion way here

Here are a few photos to show you how easy it is!

Make your felt flowers
I have been seeing these everywhere and wanted to learn how to make them myself for fun projects. Little did I know just how easy they were!

Step by step:

cut a long strip of felt and fold in half
1. snip with very sharp scissors on the folded side - don't cut all the way to the end, leave room to glue or sew
2. Fold over one end and continue to wrap around till you have wrapped the whole strip into a circle
3. To finish - many people use a glue gun - but I find it easier to just stitch through to attach together.
4. turn over and fluff - you have a fun fringy felt flower!

Next step - gather all your yo yo's & felt flowers. I actually pinned all mine on first to see how they all worked together. This is a great way to see how your wreath will look before you glue them on.

Finally - glue your flowers on - I did mine all in a cluster on one side and love how it turned out. The wreath is easy to hang from the wrapped yarn on the back. Or for more detail tie another piece of yarn and tie around the top to make a hanger.

Final Product - a pretty new wreath for Valentine's day or any day of the year.

Here is the final product hung and ready to welcome my friends.

Whimsy Wednesday {onelittleredfox}

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cuteness OVERLOAD - I am pretty sure Ivey is going to have a plush problem.....
okay maybe her mommy will (already does)

Whimsy Wednesday {ireneagh}

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I adore this little piece of art....I keep saying I don't have room for any more art...but I ALWAYS have room for little happies like this!

Whimsy Wednesday {blockpartypress}

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so I might have gotten this little happy for myself ;)
In the form of a ring - for my olive :) Is it not the cutest?

I have loved Block Party Press for a while and have several of her pieces. She is so creative and her items are filled with whimsy. Take a look at her shop or like her on facebook.
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Happy 2012

Wish you and yours a wonderful new year.
May you all find happiness, make beautiful memories and stay healthy in 2012.
Always take a moment in your day and remember just how blessed you are.

xo,
Ivey Handcrafted