Rustic Glam Christmas Wreath

9:33:00 PM


This little Christmas wreath has some awesome rustic and glam vibes going on! I love how the silver and glitter contrasts with the hemp and grape vines. It was super easy and amazingly inexpensive to put together.



This is my first Christmas craft that I want to share with you, and I have to admit that it is a bit random in how it came together. It all started when I was wandering through the clearance section of Michaels back in September, I think it was. I first found these letters for $.50. What a great deal, I thought. Then I found these stars. There wasn’t a price tag on them, but when I did a price check on them, I found out that they were $.25…what! So I grabbed all they had. Then my sister mentioned that she had some grape vine wreaths that I could have that she and her kids had made on a field trip to a farm, so I accepted them graciously…without a clue what to do with them.

Then comes the super crazy part. At a local church’s fall festival they had a guess how many is in the jar contest. My sister told me, “Oh, you’re good at that, why don’t you try to win?” I was going to enter anyway, but that put the pressure on…and I was pretty sure she jinxed me by saying such a thing. But amazingly, I won…a $20 gift card to Walmart. So I bought craft supplies that I wouldn’t normally have sprung for because I try to keep my crafting budget to a minimum, but I’ve been dying to try: Krylon’s Looking Glass Paint, Krylon’s Glitter Blast Paint, and Mod Podge. So you should be on the lookout for some crafts using them in the next little while. Anyway, so the Glitter Blast I used on this project was free-to-me, too.

In addition, I use ribbon (about $1 worth), and craft paint that I already had on hand.

Yep. Some of you are probably totaling this up in your heads. $2.75 for a Christmas wreath. Promise.  This is the lesson for today: if you don’t have a big budget for crafting, always shop off season in the clearance sections, accept random craft items from family members, and always listen to the promptings of your little sister to enter contests J

Anyway, if you’re interested in how this came together, here it goes:

I painted the wood letters with craft paint. Note that in my experience, the metallic craft paint takes about twice as many layers as the regular paint to get the coverage and sheen that I desire.



I painted the star with the Glitter Blast.


I had some problems with the paint continuing to spray even when I wasn’t pushing on the nozzle. It kept spluttering. I probably spent about 10 minutes trying to get the can to stop spraying. I have read online here that this is a fairly common problem. It made it difficult to get an even coat. However, I really love the look and I hope that Krylon gets everything figured out. I don't have pictures of the painting process because I was fighting the nozzle and had glitter spray all over my hands.

I used the hemp string that was originally what the star was hanging on at the store to hang the star onto the wreath. Then I created the bow by first creating an accordion with most of the ribbon:


And then wrapping the remaining ribbon around the center and tying it into an overhand knot.


I fastened the star to the grapevine wreath with the piece of hemp it was sold on and then added the ribbon to the wreath. Can I just say that I am proud of my niece (who just turned 9!) that made this awesome wreath? Thanks, sweetie, for sharing your craftiness!



Then we were ready to attach the letters. I took some narrow ribbon and glued the letters to it. I would suggest that you use masking or painters tape to attach the letters at first (which is what I did) to make sure you like the spacing and orientation. I tried a horizontal orientation to the word "joy" but didn't like it. Then use your glue of choice to permanently attach it.


And there you have it...my first Christmas project of the season!!



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24 comments

  1. Such beautiful Christmas decoration!

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  2. Oh my! That is beautiful! I loved that you got the letters, wreaths and stars for such a deal. (My blog is mostly about reusing craft items) Also loved the quick bow tutorial as I kind of stink at making them! Thanks for sharing your great project at the Crafty Cornucopia Paint Challenge!

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  3. Love the rustic with the glam! Turned out beautiful.

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  4. Cute idea, I like the combo of rustic and shiny stars-have been making my own grapevine wreaths this week-gotta love nature crafts cause they're free!

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  5. Cute rustic glam wreath!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Tam

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  6. That is so pretty, you are so creative! I'm hosting a craft party and would love for you to submit it! :)

    http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2012/11/show-licious-craft-showcase-9-blog-party.html

    Marti

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  7. Oh that is very nice. I'm loving the rustic look at the moment

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  8. Rustic and Glam!! Just my style! I LOVE your wreath! :) It is perfect. I am stopping by via the ForRent.com party! I am glad you linked up!!
    Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  9. so pretty! I love the rustic look. Totally my style. This reminds me, I need to pull out my wreath too

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    1. Stacey, don't get the wrong idea. The Christmas stuff is still in the attic. Since we were out of town all week long last week, Christmas decorating will be all this weekend. I just made some new stuff to decorate with!

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  10. Love the rustic look! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Christmas link party starting at midnight! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/

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  11. So creative; looks pretty on your door!

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  12. This is adorable! I'd love it if you stopped by my blog and shared this on my linky party!
    http://accidentallywonderful.blogspot.com/2012/11/now-co-hosting-inspiration-spotlight.html

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  13. I'm here from today's Naptime review hop and had to comment because this is way too cool to pass up. I'm pinning it, too, on my "Things I want to do!" board. Love this! You also made me curious: does the looking glass paint make a mirror effect?

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    1. Julie, I am still experimenting with the looking glass paint, but yes, it creates a mirror effect, but it is my understanding that it is only truly mirror like if you spray it on the "wrong" side of the glass--like the inside of a glass container, which is what I'm planning to do in a post very soon! It is possible to create a mercury glass effect with it too with very little effort.

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  14. I am featuring you again tomorrow! Thanks for linking up!
    Kim

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  15. Really, really cute! First time visiting and I have to just say that your profile makes me tired...I have one 16 month old and I feel overwhelmed sometimes. 3 kids under 4 - I think you might be my new hero!

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  16. Love the simplicity! Thank you for linking this up to our 12 Days of Christmas {Goodies} link-up!

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  17. I love this! Would be so great here for a Texas Christmas!

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  18. Another great wreath! You use a lot of great ideas to create this project. Thanks for linking up at The CSI Project this week!

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