Thursday, March 25, 2010

DIY Day! Bag It and Wrap It Up!







I am all about a cheap craft. I generally consider most of my crafts to be frugal, cheap, thrifty...but when I stop to think about it...over the years I have made a serious investment in my crafting...so while many of my crafts don't cost a lot now...at one point they did {shhh...don't tell hubby}.

But oh how I was intrigued when I stumbled upon The Second Annual $5 Challenge. In a nutshell, you have $5, not including tax to create a home decor craft. You may use some items that you have on hand, paint, glue, paper, fabric, and tools. So, off I went to the Dollar Tree...and spent way more than $5, but for this craft, I was under $5! For $4, plus a few on hand items..I think I made a super-cute wreath!
Check it out!
At the bottom the post is another version...same price.
Which one do you like?
Bag it and Wrap it Up Wreath
Dollar Tree Items
-Round 9” wreath form
-Sisal twine
-Paper Bags {flat bottom, lunch size}
-Black inkpad

On Hand Supplies
-Glue stick {or adhesive of choice}
-Scissors

Step 1: Wreath
1. Wrap twine around wreath form tightly, not leaving form exposed. Tuck/weave in loose ends.

For another look...see OPTION #2 below..it is tres cute too!

Step 2: Flowers
Requires 3 flowers total: You need two 6” flowers and one 4” flower.
{I promise, this is not as hard as it seems with all of these steps !}
1. Cut bottom {the area that would lay flat if you opened it} off of paper bag. Then push out edges and flatten the bag.
 2. Determine the size of your flower…mine is approximately 6”. With Step 2 in mind tear the edges off each side to achieve your desired flower size.
3. Crumple the paper up into a ball, and then uncrumple and flatten with your hand. I chose to crumple the paper to mask the creases that were visible from the paper bag it used to be.
4. Fan/Accordion fold the crumpled paper. Fold in half to establish center.
 5. While holding in the paper in accordion fold, run folded edges and torn edges on both sides in black inkpad.
6. Cut a piece of twine, approx. 12”. In the middle of the twine, tie about 6 knots “on top of each other.” You can also make twine balls, by rolling the twine just like you would yarn into a ball, until desired size. I then dipped the knots/balls in some of the black ink.
7. Keep the paper in the accordion fold, crease to find the center, place knotted twine, with the knot at he top edge, and remaining string sandwiching the paper, tie in one knot at bottom, to hold.
8. Apply glue to this length of paper, and fold at the center point for edges to meet
9. Repeat gluing for other side, and old at the center point for edges to meet. You will have a “circle” with a knotted center at top and two long tails.

Assembly
1. Place the two large flowers (off-center to one side) and use the twine to tie them onto the wreath form (you can snip the tails of the twine, but leave a little for wiggle room…just tuck the ends
2. Place the smaller flower in the center of the two larger ones, kind of sitting atop the larger flowers. Tie on the wreath (maneuver the twine to go around/under the larger flowers.
Almost done!
1. For the hanger, take one of the excess (torn/ripped off) longer pieces of paper bag and twist it tightly.
2. Determine where you want you hanger to be placed and glue the twisted paper bag onto the wreath.
****NOTE**** You can also weave some twine in through the holes of the wreath form and tie the paper hanger on…OR use a thicker craft glue (or Mod Podge) to secure the hanger to the wreath. Be sure it dries completely

Ta-Da! All done...
What do you think?
Cute, eh?

Want a different look?...Here is OPTION #2:
Paint wreath form, not all at once. Paint then let dry and come back to continue touch ups and get into crevices.
Signature

80 comments:

  1. always the clever one!

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  2. That is super cute. And really you do a lot different things with it and still keep it cheap.

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  3. Love the rustic feel of this! You did a fantastic job! Looks great!

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  4. oh that looks great!! I love the flowers!!!

    Great job!! And only $5! wow!!

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  5. That is so cute Holly, and it definitely doesn't look like a $4 decoration! I don't know if mine would turn out that good. You are one creative woman!

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  6. Cute idea...I like the pleated flowers, especially the antiqued edges

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  7. Love, love, love it! Great job Holly. They are both great but I am really liking #2...just really like the contrast!
    ~Gay~
    itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com

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  8. I love it! Chic and unique!

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  9. You are so super creative and clever! I like to think I am, too, but I never seem to have the time or energy any more...*sigh*

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  10. What a sweet project. You are one clever and crafty girl. Have a happy spring!

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  11. Oh this is just so cute! I have a bunch of paper bags too. I can do this!

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  12. Aren't you clever! I think you certainly accomplished that challenge.

    Jo

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  13. Pretty, pretty pretty! Do you think of this stuff yourself? I mean do you see an end result in your mind? Every time I come here your crafts are awesome.

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  14. LOVE your wreath! Great job. And fabulous price!!

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  15. That was pretty easy looking! However big on cuteness! I loved it....you could even add a button in the middle or silk flower....or keep it simple...thanks for sharing!

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  16. Cute - I really like the flowers with the black edges.

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  17. Really cute, I happen to have some purple lunch bags. I think flowers out of that would look really cute too. Great job and idea, love that it's a bargain without looking like it.

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  18. That's a fun challenge. I wonder what I would come up with. Maybe I should try it one day and find out. I like the wreath. Very rustic and simple.

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  19. Holly, please....you keep blowing me out of the water. Very impressed. How do you even come up with this stuff?!

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  20. You are officially the craftiest person I see on here. Really clever and cute and I'm LOVING the green on at the bottom. Changes the whole look of it!

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  21. Very cute and clever! I'm so impressed. I'm excited to be your swap partner. I love these things. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Love yours!

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  22. Anonymous5:47 AM

    I agree with Polly, you are such a clever one! Happy Friday Follow my dear.

    p.s. Did you see the sponsor’s $100 cash prize giveaway in the post? All you need to do is add the Toothsoap.com button to your FF post and sidebar to enter.

    ~ Lynn
    http://www.middayescapades.com

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  23. Very clever! You give me inspiration!

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  24. You always have the neatest crafts.
    I just love them all, couldn't pick a favorite.

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  25. i like the green one a lot nice work and yes frugal

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  26. Darling --I hope you add that to My Thrifty party. I love the burlap one the best but they are both adorable.

    Cheri

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  27. SUPER, super cute! I love it and I love the ink on the paper bag. That's such a clever way to give it more depth and texture.

    Bravo! This is awesome!

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  28. What fun, neat idea!
    I'm all about thrifty crafts!

    -Andrea
    PumpkinTart

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  29. Love it! It's my favorite so far! I really like the lime green painted wreath..very cool.

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  30. I really, really, really love that!

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  31. Nice to swing by your place! Just visiting from Lindsay's linky challenge.

    Twine make my heart sing. How 'bout you?

    Nice job!

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  32. love it! :) i'm gonna have to try it out myself!

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  33. Love this! Great job:) I read your blogiquette over at Cheri's. Good stuff! I am now following you and what I've seen so far, I love! I'm excited to check out the rest.

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  34. PS- I'm a new follower. I follow all blogs privately, so I won't be among the "little faces", but I'll be reading along :)

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  35. Very cute Holly. I saw that challenge too. I thought it was brilliant. I may come very late to the party and after Easter do the challenge for myself!
    Where are you going to hang this stylish wreath?
    Yvonne

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  36. these are both super cute! I really like the pop of green in the second wreath {I hope that's green, looks lime green on my monitor} anyway, I LOVE it!

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  37. I am definitely all about the first version cause I am all about texture...

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  38. Dropping by from It's a Hodgepodge Life. I love these paper bag flowers. TFS.

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  39. I hopped over from New Friend Friday and I am so happy that I did! Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day this week when you get a moment. until later...

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  40. Ok, Seriously, do you come up with all these amazing ideas on your own? I am floored! In my wildest dreams I could never come up with something so cute for so little. And truthfully, I would need instructions. To come up with it on my own it out of my league! Love your posts!

    http://setfreetosucceed.blogspot.com

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  41. Thanks so much for the follow :) Love having new blogger buddied! :)

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  42. It's great, Holly! You did it again! Thanks for sharing with us.
    ~Gay~
    itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com

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  43. Anonymous5:57 PM

    I'm your newest follower from FF. Can't wait to read more, stop by my blog sometime! Happy FF!

    -K

    http://mypottyseat.blogspot.com/

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  44. This is the cutest thing! I can so see it as a headband for my daughter.

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  45. Hello there!

    I’m your latest Friday Follower! I would appreciate a follow-back on Google Friends Connect and/or Networked Blogs.

    http://inspiredbyron.blogspot.com/

    http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/inspire_343432/

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  46. I love it and think I could do it! Happy FF - have wonderful weekend!

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  47. Hey, I think I can make one of these! My kind of craft :)

    I can't believe I never noticed your last name before now. My mom's maiden name is Lefevre! Maybe we're distant relatives :p

    Lamb’s Most Recent Post: The Chalkboard Door is for Holiday Decorating!

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  48. I love it Holly! It's so funky and cool. You did a wonderful job!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  49. Super cute. I like the second one...

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  50. That's great! If it's ok with you, I'll pass it on to my MOPS group. They're always looking for inexpensive, quick craft ideas and this would be perfect. Have a great weekend!

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  51. OK, you're officially AMAZING!! This is adorable!! Cheers, Girl!!

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  52. Anonymous9:05 PM

    I love the 2nd one! So cute and springy. :)

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  53. Hey Holly, I have something waiting for you over at my blog. :)

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  54. I love your take on the$5 challenge. I tried to find that sisal string at my DT but couldn't locate it.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting! Following you now!
    Sarah

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  55. Love this wreath! Especially the flowers made from brown paper bag! Thanks for stopping by FF the other day, and for linkin' up to Frugalicios Friday!!

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  56. Thank you for following me, and allowing me to find you!! I Love those wreaths, specially the sisal!! Rhonda

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  57. So cute, love the twine one best! I want to make one now too, thanks!

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  58. Amazing how totally different the two styles look - even though the basic idea is the same.

    Also, I know what you mean about money spent over time... but 'investing' doesn't count, right? ;)

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  59. Anonymous7:43 AM

    The wreaths look great!

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  60. You did it again! You make regular every day what would be boring looking things look so so cute!

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  61. Stopping by from SITS... love the wreath idea!

    My Saturday Sharefest post just happens to be one with a craft pattern ( crocheted scarf) I designed back in 2008 for my son and his friend. I used left over yarns from other projects to make them so... they were both about $5 if not less! LOL!

    http://dawneing.blogspot.com/2008/01/welcome-2008.html


    Have a great one and I'll be back I'm sure!

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  62. Very cute, but I like anything made with brown paper. It always just makes an item look rustic and homey!

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  63. Amazing how totally different the two styles look - even though the basic idea is the same.
    home jobs without registration

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  64. super cute and what a neat idea, using the paper bags that way! I'd probably modge podge the flowers just so I could put it outside... but I love the concept! My fave is the painted wreath, only because I love that green and the contrast with the natural colour of the bags! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for the great idea!

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  65. What great, creative wreaths! I like the one with green the best! Too cute! You have given me lot of ideas on your blog! Thanks!!
    ~ Coreen

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  66. So creative! I really like the first one. You did a great job!
    Jenn @ My Creative Heart

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  67. Holly-thanks so much for all the prayers and continued support for my mom. You have no idea what a treasure and help it is to me right now. She continues to make slow progress and I keep counting my blessings.

    You did a great job with the wreath. I like the first one best because of the neutral colors. I'm hitting save because I want to make the flowers...I'm not sure what I will do with them, but I want to make them when I get home.

    Thanks again,

    Sue

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  68. Two of my favorite things - brown paper packages and wrapping twine! Really cute!

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  69. Wow, this wreath is fabulous! It's so late, but I had to see it!
    Thanks for following, I'm following your blog in return! You have so much more to see, I will have to come back tomorrow!!

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  70. Sorry I am behind on party comments--this is going on my favs list for today.

    Cheri

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  71. How do you do it? Craft, bake, blog, visit blogs, maintain a household and everything else you do? I feel so scattered most days I don't know which end is up! I need some mentoring words of wisdom! :)

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  72. Nifty! Nifty! Good luck with the contest.

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  73. I love how you did this,, so creative.

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  74. These turned out so cute!!! Thanks for linking up this week!!!

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  75. This wreath is super clever. It is so fun to see what you will create next! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today.

    Chelsea

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  76. This is SO cute! I love the bright color and the whole look. It is so great! Thanks for sharing at Spring has Sprung at Fun to Craft.

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  77. This is so cute and simple! Love it:)

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!