How Very 'Pinterest'ing

So I have been a very bad blogger.  Despite some very bloggable moments in the past few weeks, I have taken no pictures and written no words.  Today I remedy that . . . with my first crafting blog :)  Now, for those of you who are not aware of my crafting, I am by far the world's best starter of projects.  You need an afghan, I will start knitting one.  Reviving an old piece of furniture, I'll grab the sandpaper.  However, if this project will take more than a couple of hours or requires some sort of super crafty skill, I have learned to go buy it at Target.  I can cook/bake all day long but give me a glue stick and some beads, you get 10 minutes.  Due to this flaw, I have many well meaning crafts that have gone to die never having achieved their completion.  On rare occasions, I am able to see my crafts through to completion and even be happy with the results.  This is one of those times.

While taking Tacha on walks in the neighborhood, I have been noticing that most of the homes have some sort of decorations on their front doors.  Mostly wreaths but some trinkets or even bells.  My front door . . . bare.  I decided to fix this.  Hello Pinterest!  After browsing a vast assortment of wreaths far above my skill level, I found one that appeared doable.  Let the games begin!

Step one: gather supplies.  I was off to the craft store.  I think a lot of my failed crafts have originated with trips to the craft store.  Walking into a crafter's paradise, you are confronted with dozens of potential projects, most of which are far beyond the average person's skills.  If it has Martha Stewart on it and  requires more than a single fold or piece of tape, avoid it!  Her sparkling hanging star that perfectly reflects the sunlight will look like a dull wadded ball of paper on a string when you are done.  Know your limits.  Write a list and stick to it.  Your husband will thank you and there will be fewer tears. 

Step two: measure twice, cut once.  I have had many failed crafts due to poor planning.  A good set of directions really helps with this.  Following the directions is also an important step.  Many of my "shortcuts" have ended in the trash.  Live and learn. 

Now, in full disclosure, I will admit to making a small substitution in glue type but it worked out in my favor.  Sometimes you get lucky.  Generally, this is not the case.  In the end, the glue had its revenge!  Felt rosette wreath, here we go.  (To make your own felt rosette wreath: http://theprettypoppy1.blogspot.com/2010/07/pretty-little-rosie-wreath.html)

supplies: wreath, felt, glue, scissors, CD, ribbon

cutting the flowers

An easy start, I had to cut the felt into circles and then spiral cut it.  After a few hand cramps and questionable lines, I was able to finish this.  This project is very forgiving, thus my success.  After rolling and gluing the spirals, you are left with these cute rosettes.

evil glue

rosettes

I accidentally cut the cap of the glue (rather than the actual opening) and spent quite a bit of time working through that near project-ending mistake.  It's the little things.  With my rosettes completed, I arranged them on the wreath and then began gluing them down.  Halfway through gluing the rosettes to the wreath, I noticed that the glue was dripping through the wreath onto my table making a huge mess.  After frantically cleaning the ridiculously sticky glue and then gluing the remaining rosettes, I allowed the wreath to dry overnight.  Honestly, it only needed to dry for about an hour but sometimes it is best to walk away.  

The next morning after my coffee and some motivational thinking, I returned to complete my masterpiece.  Thankfully, the ribbon did not require glue :)  I am quite happy with the results and was proud to display my accomplishment on the front door.  The Kottsicks have joined the neighborhood!

Later, I returned home from a great hike with some friends only to notice that my wreath was no longer hanging on the front door.  Hanging in its place . . . the sticky section of the hook used to hold up the wreath.  Step three: buy a wreath hook!

Alaska Fun Fact: Bennie Benson designed Alaska's state flag in 1926.  He was only 13 years old at the time.