Fall Splendor

 Bring the colors of Autumn into your home with a quick'n EZ floral arrangement...

You will need:

• Joy® embroidered, iron-on letter sheet - GOLD
• Fall leaves and silk flower piks
• Mason jar (or other glass container)
• Glitter tulle - brown
• 2" Burlap ribbon - rust
• Zip tie
• Raffia
• Iron
• Cardboard roll (from paper towel)

    

Instructions:

1. Cut a length of burlap ribbon long enough to wrap around the mason jar with an additional 1" to overlap.  Remove each embroidered letter from the sheet then position at the center of the burlap.
Suggestions:  F A I T H   H O P E   P E A C E   L O V E   J O Y   F A L L  and more! 

2. Following manufacturer's directions on the back of the package, cover with a cloth and press the letters in place.

3.  Place the cardboard tube in the jar, trim to correct height, then push the tulle into the jar between the tube and the glass. Option: You can also fill the area between the tube and the glass with yellow, or colored corn.

4.  Wrap raffia around the top of the jar and the burlap around the glass.  Mark where the burlap band overlaps, remove then secure with a staple at the top and bottom.  Slide the band back onto the jar.

 5. Bundle a variety of silk flowers and leaves together. Secure with the zip tie then place inside the cardboard roll with the bottom layer of leaves resting on the rim.  Trim the stems if needed.

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💝

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Beaded Wreaths - EZ and EZer

 I see them here, I see them there, wooden beads are everywhere! 

I'm sure you've noticed too, and, like me, you've thought - "I can make that'!  I especially like beaded wreaths so, of course, I had to make one for Fall.  The finished ones I saw had beads threaded onto a metal hoop, but I wasn't sure how to accomplish that. Metal hoops are readily available, but I'd need a band saw and metal blade to cut one to add beads.  No matter, where there's a will there's always a way......  I came up with an easy and easier way..... 

You'll need:

5/8" (20mm) Beads - 21 for a 12" wreath, or 25 for a 14" wreath (sizes are approximate)

Grapevine garland

18 gauge 18" covered wire stem (12" wreath)

Wire coat hanger (14" wreath)

Assorted Fall flower picks

Jute

Wire cutters

  

Step 1:

    a. Carefully cut the hook from the top of the coat hanger then gently shape the wire into a circle. Work slowly, especially when straightening the corners.  Bend one end over then thread the beads onto the wire. Bend the opposite end over then link the ends together to form a circle.

    2. The wire stem is easier to work with, but will only accommodate 20-22 beads. Thread the beads onto the stem leaving about 2" of stem at each end. 

 

Step 2:

    a. Remove the thin wire holding the coiled garland together then cut 2 pieces* long enough to cover the coat hanger wire between the beads. Sandwich the wire between the two pieces then, starting at one end wrap the garland with jute finishing and securing at the opposite end. Adjust the curve of the garland and beads to create the circle. *Two pieces are needed for thickness.

    b. Cut 2 pieces of garland for the smaller wreath,  Gently straighten out the curve from each piece then, starting at one end wrap the pieces together with jute. Insert the ends of the stem wire into the tightly wrapped ends of the garland. Adjust the curve of the beads and garland to create the circle.

Step 3:

Separate the stems from the floral picks. Starting at the outer edges of the garland, insert the ends between the twigs.  The twigs should hold the picks firmly in place, but you can dip the ends in lo-temp glue for extra security if desired. Working from the outer edges to the center, add pieces from contrasting picks to finish. You can also find a selection of laser cut words at your local craft stores to add if desired.

All you need now is a place to hang your finished wreath! Enjoy!

TIPS: Check the sales at your favorite arts & crafts stores for seasonal floral picks for best prices!  You can also find plain wire coat hangers at your local Walmart if you don't have any. 

Happy fall y'all!

Yours truly,

Julie 😍   

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Fall Floral

Creating a floral arrangement is easy with just a few things you probably have around the house. I had a square vase that I wanted to use, but it's hard to arrange flowers in it, unless you have floral foam; not something I had on hand, so - empty pickle jar to the rescue! 

I placed the jar inside the square vase to hold the flowers.  

Insteading of taking time to remove the label, I filled the area between the jar and vase with corn kernels. You could also layer with different colored dried beans.  Small pieces of candy look great too!  M&M's for example, and they come in all sorts of seasonal colors!

Pretty cool, right...  now all I had to do was fill the jar with water and flowers. Quick'n EZ.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Y'all come back now.......

Yours truly,
Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!