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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I made a wreath! So I had to change up my mantel.


Updated 6/15/10: Linking to The CSI Project for their Dollar Store Challenge. The Thesaurus book I used to make the wreath came from Dollar Tree. There are a lot of paper wreaths out in blogland. This was my version.


Guess what? I decided to change up my spring mantel. Imagine that!

And what caused me to change it up? I made a paper wreath.

Now, I'm really not a crafty girl. Oh, I buy tons of supplies to make all sorts of crafty things. But I never seem to actually get anything made. I usually only make things if in a group setting. You know, when you are with girlfriends or family and you all make some crafty thing together. When I'm by myself, nothing usually gets done.

So I am so excited that I actually made something, all by myself. No friends, no family. But then it was because it was super easy. You see, I only do easy.


I've been seeing paper wreaths all over blog land. I've been wanting to make one for months. I finally told myself it was time. I didn't need family or friends to help me. I was a big girl. I could do this all by myself. And you know what? I did.

This was my kind of project, easy, fast (made it in one evening while watching TV) and cheap. My wreath cost me less than $2.00. I was happy!

These were my supplies. Glue gun & glue sticks (OK, I had to go to Michael's & buy new ones. I couldn't find mine, so I had to pay about $13.00 for the glue gun & a huge bag of glue sticks), Distress Ink (already had on hand), small grapevine wreath (25 cents from the thrift store), Webster's Thesaurus ($1.00 from Dollar Tree), scallop circle paper punch ($10.00 from Joann's, 40% off), pencil (already had on hand). Ok, so this wreath really cost me $25.00 as I had to buy the glue gun, the glue sticks & the punch. But I can use the glue gun, sticks & punch for many more projects. So if you take the cost of these items off, I only spent less than $2.00 on this project.

I used about 15 pages total from the thesaurus book. I used 3 pages at a time & punched out as many flowers from each page that I could. I then distressed the edges with the distress ink. And a splotch or two in the middle. I liked the thesaurus better than the dictionary as the words were bigger.

I placed the flat end of my pencil in the middle of the flower & wrapped it around the pencil. I then hot glued the middle of the flower & placed on the wreath. I just kept doing this until the wreath was completely filled in on the sides & middle.

When finished I hung from a green ribbon & tied it to my frame that is sitting in front of the mirror on my mantel. The wreath was the perfect size. The only thing I am not completely happy with is that it turned out darker than I would have liked. I guess I got a little carried away on the distress ink on the edges. But I can live with it.

I love it hanging from the vintage frame that I painted last month. I took down the botanical rose prints & moved my topiaries to the outside edge.

I never did show you the before photos of the frames on my mantel. All the frames started out a gold color. The larger frame I got at a thrift store for $4.95. I actually have 2 of them. The smaller frames also came from a thrift store, but I got 3 of them for 25 cents a piece as they didn't have glass.

Since I'm not a "gold" fan, I spray painted the frames Heirloom White. They were still too white for me. I decided they needed some contrast, but I didn't have any glaze. So I just used regular brown craft paint. I watered it down & slathered it on. Let it sit for a minute & wiped most of it off. I'm happy with how the frames turned out.


You can see how I left some of the watered down brown paint. It actually gave the entire frame a pinkish color. I like it.

I like how the smaller frames turned out too. You can barely see the etching in the frame. But I like it that way.

Close up of the one of the two smaller frames.



The other reason I changed up my mantel a bit are these fabulous mercury glass candle holders or vases that I picked up at Big Lots last week for like $2.40 each. I bought them to use as candle holders. But I decided to place my balls on top of them (as I didn't have anywhere to store them right now, hazards of being a closet hoarder) & was happy with the look.


They had them in blue as well. But I like the silver better. That way I can use them all year round.

I'm really enjoying my revamped spring mantel. But then I also liked take 1.
Here is my original spring mantel (take 1). You can read all about this mantel here.

And there you have my revamped Spring mantel (take 2). Which one do you like better?




Linking to:









55 comments:

  1. Gorgeous!!

    The first one looks like spring, and because you put more greens in the 2nd, I say it looks like summer. You're waaaay ahead of us! :)

    I love the layers, especially that front frame utilizing the mirror behind it. And it provides the perfect place for that gorgeous wreath!

    Donna

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  2. Hi Kim,
    I don't know where I've been, but I have never seen one of those paper wreaths! But yours is adorable; love it! I personally like the second mantel with the little wreath. Thanks for sharing and for the tutorial too. I may just try making one of those wreaths myself. Have a great week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  3. Your house is looking pretty fantastic these days! And for someone who proclaimed herself a procrastinator, you sure are getting A LOT done! Pat yourself on the back, girl!
    Brenda

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  4. I like number 2! Oh my goodness, what an adorable little wreath! It's all just beautiful. Those mercury glass Big Lots vases are perfect and I love your layers. In fact, you're inspiring me to go mess some more with mine! Thanks again for linking up.

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  5. Kim, I LOVE your wreath! It turned out so great. I may have to try one of these. Your layers of frames look so good too. Great job! laurie

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  6. One of the cutest wreaths I've seen!! Great job!

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  7. Kim, I'm impressed with this wreath. It looks fantastic. Thanks for teaching us how to make one. I'd love to give this a try. Love the idea of using the thesaurus for the paper. Your frames are terrific. Love the look of your mantel. Super post!

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  8. Who-Hoo!
    I loved this post Kim...
    and You know I'll give it a try!
    Wonder if I could use pink instead of black on the edges?
    You saw that comin didn't cha!
    Your mantel is "Oh so chic"!
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  9. Don't you love it when that happens! Your wreath is great! I really like it!! Where do you find your frames? I cannot find them inexpensively around here. They are all over $15 each! Many are much more than that. Yours are lovely!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  10. Your wreath turned out so cute! I love it. But what I love best is how you have it displayed with the frame and mirror! Brilliant!
    gail

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  11. I love it, Kim! Good for you doing something on your own! : ) I think the darkness of it {which I really like} plays off the lightness of that frame very well. I may have to try this since you make it looks easy enough. I just need to get one of those punches ~ love the scalloped edge look.

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  12. I love the wreath. I may have to copy this for a table decorating contest I am gathering supplies for in December. I am trying to be prepared!!! The little candle holders look great with those balls. The entire thing is great. I enjoyed looking at it.

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  13. the punched out book wreath is amazing with the scallop edges.
    beautiful!

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  14. Oh My Gosh, that is greatness, I love the wreath and I am so into frames right now. Just beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. I am new to blogging, come check mine out if you get a chance. www.ms-smartie-pants.blogspot.com Thanks for sharing

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  15. I ♥♥♥ that wreath...if I wasn't so lazy I would gather the materials and make one!

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  16. Hi Kim, I love your wreath, you did an awesome job with it. Love you used the scallop punch. I was in the Dollar Tree the day before yesterday with a large book in hand to make a paper wreath and for whatever reason I put everything back. So not like me but I think I was tired and thought...one more thing to do, are you crazy. Well now I really need to go back and get my supplies because you have inspired me to do so. Thank you for sharing, it's totally awesome.
    Hugz,
    Kim

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  17. I love your little wreath...just the right touch for your mantel!

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  18. That is so pretty! You did a great job on the wreath, it really is so cute! I love how you positioned it over the frame and mirror too. Your whole vignette is fabulous!

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  19. Kim, your wreath is gorgeous! Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking time to leave a comment. :)

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  20. What a neat wreath project! I think I'll try it ~ I only do easy, too. I'm probably like the last person on the planet that doesn't know how to use distress ink, so can you fill me in on that part?

    Love your mantel always! This time I definitely like version #2 best!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  21. I love your wreath! It's the cutest one I've seen. I think the shape of your leaves/petals is what makes it so charming. Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Be-A-utiful! Love the frames and mirror and the green!

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  23. Be-A-utiful! Love the frames and mirror and the green!

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  24. Oh, Kim! Your mantle looks so beautiful! I love that wreath you've made! How clever! It looks perfect. Your frames too! Oh, you're good.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  25. My vote goes to Take 2! I think the wreath looks perfect (not too dark in the pictures). In the photos it looks like the edges are brownish, which blends in perfectly. So do the frames.

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  26. Your wreath and whole mantel looks beautiful! I may have to try my hand at making one too.

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  27. I love the second take!! The wreath is adorable, especially how you have it displayed...and I think I will copy your idea and make a small one to hang on one of my mirrors..well done!

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  28. I've seen these made with coffee filters, but using a Webster?!? How clever!! I have one of those punches...might have to try this one! Thanks for posting it...God bless you, Robyn

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  29. It looks beautiful and you did a fantastic job on the paper wreath! I love it:) I have the same mercury glass vase from Big Lots:) I only bought one, wish I would've bought more.

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  30. Hi Kim,
    I just love your wreath! I have never seen one done before with a paper punch, and I must say it's the prettiest one I have seen!. I've got some vintage French books that would be perfect for this craft! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  31. Your mantel is just beautiful! I am thinking of running down to the $1 store right now!;)

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  32. Kim, that wreath is gorgeous! You did it girl. You sound so much like me. I buy stuff then don't do it, then when I really decide to do it I can't find it! LOL!

    I love how it resembles hydrangea petals.

    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  33. La-ove that vintage frame!! I like the new stuff better. Such a cute wreath...have to put that on my to do list! And I love empty frames (i'm number 10 on shabby nest linky).

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  34. Hi Girlfriend...

    Oooh...I love your wreath! Girlfriend, you really are so creative! And...I love how you hung that pretty paper wreath on the inside of a picture frame...I really, really love how that looks! Your mantel is gorgeous, Kim! BRAVO!!!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Sweetie!
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  35. I love everything you did!! It all looks wonderful. I have the paper punch but would have to have the boys punch that many for me. My wrist aches just thinkin' about that many scallop punches. lol

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  36. That little wreath is so pretty but it must have been lots of work. Your mantle looks gorgeous, all the frames are beautiful .....you sure do make some really pretty vignettes. :)

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  37. I like your wreath--no I LOVE your wreath. And hanging it inside the frame is a wonderful look. I like Take 2--

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  38. Take 2 is the winner. Love this wreath (onto my to do list) and love your blog.

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  39. Although both mantel schemes are beautiful I do prefer the second one. Your savvy deal Ffnding on the frames, awesome. The paper wreath looks gorgeous framed by a frame. Your blog is delightful.

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  40. I like your take on the book page wreath. The texture reminds me of hydrangeas. I love hydrangeas.

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  41. Oh my gosh, that looks great! I can't get over that wreath being paper. It's beautiful!

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  42. Kim this is simply stunning! Love the technique on the book page wreath..very nice texture! Looks gorgeous!

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  43. I like #2 because the focal pint is now that loverly mirror!
    I must take a trip to Big Lots!!
    Have fun decorating!
    ~Blessings to you as you make your home!

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  44. Your mantel is so beautiful. How do you know how to make everything go together so beautifully. If I ever have my own house again--will you come show me how to make it so gorgeous?

    Plus--I adore the wreath and am determined to try my hand at it. I'll link it to your site--ok?

    You, my friend, are amazing.

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  45. Your thesaurus wreath made my little wordy-nerdy heart skip a beat. Love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  46. I've seen the larger ones, but LOVE your tiny one! It's precious! I think I may like it better, and LOVE your mantle decor! So cute! I'll be back to see your new posts, for sure!

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  47. I just love love love it! Its so pretty!

    Alyssa
    http://lifeoflyssie.com

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  48. Stopped by via CSI Projects... I made a giant rolled page book wreath, but I love this variation... and your mantel is GREAT, love the layering!

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  49. THis is a gorgeous version of the wreath and your mantle is stunning!! Great job!!

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  50. The wreath is beautiful. I love the way you displayed everything on the mantel as well.

    Stopped over from the CSI project.

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  51. Kim,
    I love your wreath! I really like the extra touch of the distressing on the edges. This is my favorite paper wreath I've seen. Hope you don't mind if copy your idea.

    Your mantel is beautiful, the frames turned out great.

    Joyfully,
    Elizabeth Ann

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  52. Very cute. I love your wreath and even though it looks hard to do it doesn't sound too hard. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  53. Somewhere I read that wreath was going to take two hours. I'm making it today and have been working for about six hours and it's halfway done. It looks like your's though! Which says a lot because this might be my first craft EVER.

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