Monday, January 11, 2010

Easy Peasy Valentine Wreath

In my invalid state (read that with a bit of sarcasm), I can't do much crafting. I can't sit at my craft desk, because the chair is a wood dining room chair. My computer chair, which is easier (but not pain-free) to sit in doesn't fit at the craft desk. So, I'm limited. And of course, the post-Christmas craft laziness had come to an end. All I've wanted to do the past few days is craft, craft, craft!

Today, I finally tried something, which I did while laying down. It kept my fingers busy, but alas, I didn't take any tutorial photos. It's really easy, though- just fold the ribbon, lay it on top of the hanger, and pull the ends through the loop. Simple.


You'll Need:
1 Wire Hanger (On hand)
2 rolls of White Tulle (Dollar Tree rolls- I used about 1 and a half, though to make it fuller, you could easily use up to 4 rolls)
2-3 rolls of various red, pink, or white ribbons- I recommend using wired ribbon.

  1. Bend the wire hanger into a heart shape. Easier said, than done. The hanger kept wanting to sort of fold in half.
  2. Start cutting 3-4" lengths of ribbon & tulle. For my tulle, I used 40 total, 20 for each side of the heart. However, if you want a full tulle heart, you'll want to use about 4 rolls of tulle. 40 loops didn't quite fill an entire side, and was about 1 & 1/2 rolls worth of tulle. For the ribbon, I used about 14 ribbon loops per side. Again, the more full you want it, the more ribbon you'll use. You could do 20 per side, so it alternates between tulle & ribbon.
  3. I did not tie the ribbon and tulle in place. Instead, I used the folding method where you pull the ends around something, and pull them through the loop at the end of the ribbon. Did that make sense?
  4. Fluff the ribbon- I used 1 roll that was not wired, and it kept wanting to droop, so I sort of tucked it behind tulle, so it was being held in place.
  5. I added a small ribbon bow to the middle with the non-wired ribbon I had left over.
All in all, I used 1 whole bolt of white sheer ribbon with red hearts (3 yards), and 1 whole bolt of red non-wired red & silver ribbon (4 yards), 1 whole bolt of tulle, plus half to 3/4ths of another roll (each roll is 8 yards), and about 3/4ths of a roll of red & silver wired ribbon (this roll was 5 yards).



I had all of this stuff on hand, but you could get all the stuff needed at the dollar store for $5-6, so it's a cheap craft. And best of all- when Valentine's Day is over, just remove the ribbon scraps & tulle, and set them aside for another project



Linked up at the parties listed here.

52 comments:

Trish said...

Cute! I'm bookmarking this one! I've been scouring the net for frugal Valentine's Day decorations. Thanks for the great idea!

Expressions by Heather said...

You're welcome! DT has a few different Valentine's Ribbons right now, too, which are just oh-so-cute!

I had some hot pink tulle on hand, but no pink ribbon to add to it. I'm going to try and find some pink ribbon soon, and make one in pink & white. :)

Catherine said...

Very cute! I think i'm going to try it because i have NO valentines decorations...It's really quite sad.

Expressions by Heather said...

Cat, I'm the same way. I used to have some heart shaped lights, but who knows where they ended up over the years. I hate buying commercial decorations for smaller holidays, but I want a few things to use this year. I hope to come up with a few more ideas before Valentine's Day!

wintunancy said...

I love how this looks with the light behind it. Don't take it apart after the holiday!!!

Hope you are being able to be patient with the healing. You must!

Expressions by Heather said...

I am trying very hard to be patient. It's easier during the day while the kids are at school, that's for sure!

Veronica said...

This is really cute. I am going to try it but I am going to make it round and use Christmas colors.

Heidi said...

super cute! thanks for sharing!

Amy@TheLemonCottage said...

Very pretty!
I think I have enough tulle on hand to do this w/o running to the store! :)
~Amy

Charity said...

LOVE IT. I am a homeschooling momma and I am going to get my girls right on this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Cha Cha

Unknown said...

this is a totally cool wreath! I am totally going to make this! Thanks so much for the inspiration, I really needed it!

glor said...

Oh this is so cute, just what I've been looking for.

Monique LaLonde said...

Heather, I am so darn impressed with you. I hope someday you get discovered by some talk show with your amazing blog. You deserve the success.

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

I love the red in with the white! SO pretty!

Leah said...

Now here's a craft I have time for! I love Valentine's Day, so just maybe I'll get one of these made.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Glad to have you at Toot Your Horn Tuesday!

Anonymous said...

So cute!!! And I have all the supplies I need to make one.

avisiontoremember said...

I added your wreath to my mcklinky for ideas on what to do with wire hangers. It is really cute. Plus it is something I can do with my girlies

Thanks for the idea

Expressions by Heather said...

Thank you so much everyone! I'm really glad you all like this- it was such an easy craft to do, and would make a great craft for kids! I'm contemplating cutting some hangers apart to make smaller hearts to string up like garland. However, a trip to a store for more ribbon & tulle would be needed first, so it may be a while. ;)

If anyone does make one, I would love to feature it on my blog in the "I made it, You made it!" section, so remember to post it!

Poppy Cottage said...

I LOVE it!

KimMalk said...

That turned out so cute. It looks great in your window.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

It looks fantastic hanging in your window - great job!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a fun project! So happy and festive. Great job!

XOOX
Jen

Brooke said...

Adorable!!! I'm going to have to hunt down some wire hangers.

J Rodney said...

Simple and cute! Great job Heather!

Becca said...

So adorable! I love easy projects for the holidays!

Jennifer said...

What a great way to use tulle!

FYI-I'm highlighting your blog on my show today 12pm EST! http://bit.ly/7BxxHw

Angie Holden said...

Very cute!!! I am "wreathing" it today too! Seems to be a theme...

Expressions by Heather said...

Thank you everyone! I had no idea this one would be as popular as it has been when I did it- I'm glad I tackled it!

Jen- thank you! I tried sitting in, but the page kept timing out for me.

I just posted a new "from my bed" craft, so take a look!

Heather

Trish said...

I didn't even let 24 hours pass!
Thanks again for the idea!
http://toomuch2do2day.blogspot.com/2010/01/valentine-ribbon-wreath.html

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

The tulle makes all the difference!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

The tulle makes all the difference!

Julie said...

cute! cute! cute! i have no energy to decorate for valentine's day but this could also be used as an ornamnet for next year's tree!!

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans said...

This is ADORABLE! I love it!

Rosies said...

Way cute! I think I will make one and then link it to your blog!!! Hope you don't mind!

Expressions by Heather said...

Thanks everyone!

Rosie, of COURSE I have no problem with that!! I can't wait to see yours!

Kelly said...

this was great

Rebecca said...

Lovely wreath! I don't think our version of 'dollar stores' in the UK sell such great supplies, I'll have to see what I can find, it looks so effective! Glad to find your blog, I have become a follower!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Hi Heather!
I LOVE this idea!
Sorry I am so late. As it ended up, we did have a (6 hour) 2AM-8Am stint in the ER with my son. Praise God, all is ok. But,it's taken me some time to recover from being up all night. Alas, I am late in getting around to everyone this week. My apologies.
Sincere thanks for linking up to Tales from Bloggeritville Thrifty Thursday!

HUGS,
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

Its So Very Cheri said...

A great tutorial--I can not believe it is so close to Valentine's Day already.

Cheri

Unknown said...

This is adorable! I love the ribbons and tulle. Perfect for Valentine's day, thanks for sharing!

Joy said...

I know this is going to sound so stupid but I can't figure out step #3. I am like a gardener with all purple thumbs when it comes to crafts...but I keep plugging away. I made one of these hanger hearts last week on my own using 4" stirps of pink cloth...and it came out looking like a 7 yr old made it. How did you do step #3--wrapped ends around something? and how did you make everything look so neat and all spread out away from the wire of the heart? Mine goes in every direction and looks like a bad '70's afro. Help! Joy

Expressions by Heather said...

Hi Joy-

for number 3, fold the ribbon in half. Next, fold the ribbon in half around the hanger, so the loop end and the free ends are next to each other, sort of bent around the hanger.

From there, tuck the two free ends through the loop, and pull it tight. This will sort of knot it around the hanger. From there, you can shift it around so the free ends are facing outwards.

I'll try to take some step-by-step photos tomorrow, but hopefully that cleared it up!

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

you make it look so easy! maybe i could try it!

Unknown said...

I have been looking for an easy wreath for Valentine's Day. Thanks for the inspiration.

Expressions by Heather said...

It is very easy, I hope you try it Steph!

Thank you, Maridith!

gina said...

This is similar to how you do the rag flip flops! Very cute as a wreath- and cheap too!

Anonymous said...

COOL! I like this -- great idea!

Lori said...

Love it! man you are so crafty.. I think it looks great behind your banner.
Again thanks for joining me this week...

Angie - treasuresfortots@gmail.com said...

How cool!!

Thank you for sharing at Thursday's Treasures!

Come share again this week!

Linda@CraftaholicsAnonymous said...

Very cute wreath! Turned out awesome. Thanks for joining the party today :)
happy crafting,
Linda

Katie said...

Made this yesterday - it turned out super cute! Thanks for the tutorial! :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/superflash/4326241817/

Dee said...

Love it! Try laying the hanger flat on your table as you bend it. keeping it on a flat surface while shaping helps keep the hanger from bending over on itself. I know I'm late posting to this, but I just found your blog