Valentine Yarn Wreath

Looking for a simple craft for a February spruce-up? This simple yarn wreath provides a touch of Valentine’s spirit and color.

You’ll need: a heart-shaped foam wreath base, yarn (I used multi-color yarn), a hot glue gun, a strip of ribbon, and embellishments. I found all of my supplies at Hobby Lobby. 

To begin, use hot glue to secure the ribbon strip to the top of the heart in a loop (used for hanging the wreath). Attach the beginning of the yarn to the bottom of the heart with hot glue and begin wrapping around the wreath, pushing the yarn close together so that you can no longer see the white base.

Keep wrapping. (Hint: When you come to a stopping point, simply glue the yarn down where you stopped to avoid unraveling.) On the top and bottom of the heart, the yarn will need to be securely glued in order to maintain its form. (Make sure to pull out the secured ribbon for hanging)

When the yarn completely covers the wreath base, snip off the end and attach with glue.

Play with the embellishments to decide on a layout; then use hot glue to secure to the wreath.

Allow your wreath to dry and hang. 

Christmas Star

In my quest to explore my craftier side I have discovered that I am not much of a seamstress, but I can hot glue with the best of them. This craft was easy enough for a novice and beautiful enough to hang on my door for the holidays. There’s nothing like Christmas to get you in the mood to craft!

1 styrofoam star

Coordinating yarn, ribbon, or rope

2 pieces coordinating scrapbook paper, holiday themed

Hot glue gun

Holiday buttons

Trace and cut one color of scrapbook paper to fit star face; attach using hot glue. Attach a looped piece of ribbon to the top of one star point (this will be used to hang the star). Use the coordinating paper to cover the edges of the star (covering the ribbon ends) and attach with hot glue. Arrange buttons to cover star face in desired pattern. Attach with hot glue. Let dry completely before hanging. 

Yarn Wreath

I’m just now starting to explore my craftier side thanks to my crafty friends and Pinterest. This yarn wreath was simple enough not to be intimidating and makes a beautiful embellishment for any season.

You’ll need: a foam wreath base, yarn (I used multi-color yarn), a hot glue gun, and embellishments. You may also want twine or ribbon to hang your wreath, though additional yarn would work just fine. I found all of my supplies at Hobby Lobby.

 To begin, use hot glue to secure the beginning of the yarn and begin wrapping around the wreath, pushing the yarn close together so that you can no longer see the white base.

 Keep wrapping. (Hint: If you decide not to complete your yarn wrapping in one sitting – I recommend breaks!– when you come to a stopping point, simply snip the yarn and glue it down. Then restart by gluing the end where you left off. This prevents unraveling.)

When the yarn completely covers the wreath base, securely glue down the end.

Play with the embellishments to decide on a layout; then use hot glue to secure to the wreath.

Allow your wreath to dry and hang with extra yarn, twine, or ribbon. 

Keep Calm, Fly On

Last Friday, my husband graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training. It was a great day and I am so proud of him for everything that he accomplished in the last year. Typically for birthday's and special occasions, I try and get him something plane related. For his 21st Birthday, I gave him 4 professional pictures of the Air Force Thunderbirds. For Christmas this past year, I gave him two pictures of the T-6, which is the plane that he was flying at the time. For his last birthday, I got him a picture of the T-38. And lately, for our 2nd Anniversary, I bought him two canvas prints of him and the two aircraft that he has been flying during the last year. So for the end of an exciting and eventful year, I decided to paint him a canvas that says, "Keep Calm, Fly On".

Supplies:
8 by 12 Canvas
White Paint
Blue Paint
Foam Brushes
Contact Paper
Cricut w/ George & Shapes Cartridge and Stand & Salute Cartridge
Silver Paint Marker (optional)

1. Paint canvas white; allow to dry. (The canvas comes white but I like it to be painted so that it matches better once the entire project is complete. For mine, I spray painted it because I was trying to cover up a previous project. I wouldn't recommend spray painting it though as it is much harder to paint blue and there will be more paint seepage onto your white letters)

2. Meanwhile, using your Cricut cut out the letters for Keep Calm, Carry On with the George & Shapes Cartridge and an airplane with the Stand & Salute Cartridge on contact paper. I set the size of my letters to 1 1/2 inches a piece.

3. Once canvas is dry align letters on canvas, 1/2 inch from bottom and top and placing the airplane in the middle. Peel off paper layer of contact paper and stick letters and airplane onto canvas, pressing into canvas so that there are no air gaps or places where the paint will seep in.

4. Paint canvas using blue paint until desired look, allowing to dry in between coats. Paint the sides of the canvas as well as the top.

5. Once dry, remove letters.

6. Optional step: Paint white letters with a silver paint marker.

All finished and hanging on the wall. This is a temporary spot for it as we are moving in the near future. Once we move, this will go in the office along with the rest of the plane memorabilia.