The most maddening thing just happened!!!  Our server crashed, and we lost a BUNCH of stuff, including ALL my posts from Monday on!! 

So I’m going to re-post my tutorial from Tuesday, today, and the rest of the stuff as the week goes on.  Sorry, but I’m just so sad to have lost this post, there were so many sweet comments from so many of you, including some new followers that I hadn’t been able to meet yet…

Moving on!!  Ok, here we go…  A cheery, bright, spring-time wreath to match the warm sunny day we’re finally having!!!  Think positive Stace!!!

Supplies:

• an old (or new) frame

• can of outdoor spray paint

• wired ribbon

• styrofoam wreath form (I used a 12-incher)

• 3/4 yard chiffon (for wreath) 1/4 yard (for flowers)

• buttons

• straight pins

• rotary cutter and mat

• sewing machine and thread

• hot glue gun

• felt

Step 1:  Spray both sides of your frame with a coat of spray paint, allowing to dry for an hour between coats.  Allow to dry for 24 hours before hanging on the door.

Step 2:  Fold your fabric in half.  Cut the strips of chiffon into 2.5 inch wide strips.  I used 8 strips for the wreath, and 2 for the flowers.  You can use as many as you want depending on the look you’re going for.

Step 3:  Sew a gathering stitch (the longest straight stitch setting on your sewing machine) down the center of your strips.  I sewed the stitch along the side for the flower strips.  For more details and pictures on sewing ruffles go HERE.

Pull the bobbin thread on one end of your strip to gather the fabric making a ruffle.  Continue, until the entire strip is a ruffle.

Step 4:  Pin one end of the ruffle to the back of the wreath form.  Wrap the ruffled strip around the wreath layering just slightly. 

Secure the end with a straight pin, and begin a new ruffle right where you left off. 

Continue wrapping and pinning until the entire wreath is covered.

Step 5:  Make your flowers.  Cut a 2-inch circle out of felt.  Hand stitch the ruffled strip to the circle beginning in the middle of the circle, turning and stitching in a spiral pattern, working your way to the outside.  Turn the end under and stitch into place.  Sew or glue a button or embellishment to the center of the flower.  Secure the flowers to the wreath with hot glue.  This can also be done without stitching, just by using hot glue.  Go HERE for that tutorial.

Step 6:  Cut a LONG strip of ribbon and tie the wreath to the top of the frame making a bow.  Cut another smaller piece of ribbon, wrap through the frame and use this loop to hang on the door.  Don’t worry, the big bow will hide it!

Voila!!  A springy little welcome for all your friends and visitors:)

Linking up HERE this week!