Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Our Under $15 Monogram Wreath

So one day while I was stalking the awesome blog House of Hepworth's, I saw that Allison made a fun fall wreath out of stuff she scored at Dollar Tree.

And I was inspired (apparently like many other bloggers, too!).

I couldn't wait to get to Dollar Tree and pick out stuff to make a wreath - but once I did, I felt like it needed something ... more.

Like a monogram.

I found a cardboard monogram letter M at the craft store that same day, and quickly snagged it for the wreath for a measly $1.50. Then I lugged all the stuff home and got to work, and a couple hours later I made this:


Cute, huh? I searched through the Christmas decor in storage for about an hour to find the magnet wreath-hanger thing so we could stick it on our door with pride.

It looked super-cute as we left for work on Monday... but guess what we came home to?


The wreath MELTED.

...

What was once this:


Is now this:




Our only guess is that the sun heated up the metal door, and the heat had nowhere to escape to since we have a storm door in front - so it created a greenhouse-type effect and REHEATED the hot glue.

We came home to a pile of fake leaves and flowers re-glued to the front door, storm door, and the floor.


At first I was a little sad, but then I looked at the poor pitiful wreath and I couldn't help but laugh. Who would've thought the wreath would MELT? Hahaha, not me, that's for sure! And then I thought about Barley - the world's worst guard dog, who barks at the fridge and a/c unit - and then I was REALLY laughing, imagining the sounds of glue and falling flowers hitting the door/floor all day and his reaction.

Too funny!

For now the wreath is sitting safely out of the sun, still looking pitiful, but hey - at least it's not actively melting anymore and the glue has dried. Perhaps later I'll have the energy to redo the whole thing and hang it somewhere else - over the large mirror in the dining room, maybe? I'll let you guys know when I do.

I know I promised you a tutorial - and I feel kinda bad doing a tutorial on something that could possibly MELT, but a promise is a promise (plus I have all these pretty pictures, for now the only lasting memory of the pretty wreath.. haha).

SO - here's the deal: IF you follow this tutorial you have to PROMISE ME that you will NOT HANG YOUR WREATH IN THE SUN! Okay? You promise? You SWEAR not to hang it in the sun?

Okay then.

Unless of course you get kicks out of watching a wreath melt, or imagining the antics of your puppy as he hears the glops of glue hitting the door and probably runs around the house barking and growling like we were getting robbed.

How to Make a Cheap & Easy Monogram Wreath (for under $15)! Plus - it even MELTS!

From the Dollar Tree I bought:

2 leafy garland things (I only used 1)

2 bags of individual leaves (I only used 1)

3 bouquets of flowers (I only used half)

1 wheat bouquet

2 sunflower stalks

1 18" wreath form

From the craft store I bought 1 large monogram chipboard/cardboard type letter thing.


Once I got it all home, I dumped everything on the table and hooked up my hot glue gun. I started with  leaves that I pulled off the leafy autumn vine thingy and began gluing them on at random. Then I took the separate leaves and glued those down, as well.


Then I began gluing the flowers on, and it was time to do the monogram. I went searching in the basement and came up with some spray paint primer - so I did a quick coat of that, and then I found some sample paint I got for free awhile ago.

In yellow. Score.


It was a Glidden paint tester, in color "Refreshing Mimosa". I painted it on with the attached brush, and it was so easy! Much like using nail polish, actually.


I put on 2 coats and let it dry overnight.


Then I had to figure out how to attach it to my wreath. Tom had the bright idea of snapping a paint stir stick in two and using that to prop up the M - and it worked! I just glued down the paint stick really well, and then glued the M onto the stir stick parts.






And there you have it! A cheap, chic and unique fall wreath.

Just be sure to keep it out of the sun, mmm'kay?



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11 comments:

  1. Bwahahahahahahaha!!! Oh, that's too funny! Don't worry, you aren't the first person to learn the hard way that hot glue reheats...say for instance, another blogger you know may or may not have made a hot glued Christmas wreath 17 years ago that she may or may not have hung over the fireplace. And then lit a fire.

    It's still a good tutorial and a very pretty wreath.

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  2. Oh man, I had never heard of that happening! I feel like I am the only blogger who has things go wrong. As much as I hate that the wreath melted, it's kind of nice to know I'm not the only one! Please don't hate me! :)

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  3. OMG, that is so sad yet hilarious about your wreath melting!!!

    I did a little happy dance inside when I saw that you got your idea from my blog, because I've been meaning to tell you for awhile now that I LOVE your blog and get so excited when you make a new post. I guess we are both stalkers!! Haha!

    I'll probably do another round of wreaths post, so I'll bookmark this for the next go-round!

    ~Allison @ House of Hepworths

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  4. That was such a cute wreath!! I can't believe it melted! I didn't know that could happen. Thanks for the heads up!

    I did come home to a purchased wreath (Smith and Hawken) broken into four pieces right after we bought it. I was quite upset!! The backing was all styrofoam so I glued it back together and made a new hanger for it and so far so good...

    I love your new basement railing too. Great job!

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  5. Thanks for the comments, guys!

    You guys TOTALLY made my week with your own Wreath-Melting/Breaking Stories. It makes me feel so much better about mine! I still can't believe the stupid thing melted... hahaha!

    Thanks again for dropping by and lifting my spirits! ;)

    ~Chelsea

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  6. Oh my...it was a beautiful wreath while it lasted! I think you should make it and put it in your house! As a reminder of what can happen.... :) That story just made me laugh! At least it made you laugh, too!

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  7. I love this! I am painting my door some sort of tealish/blue/turquoise color today and needed an idea for an affordable brightly colored fall wreath. And I LOVE the yellow M, it's the perfect touch. I will be off the Dollar Store to get the supplies for this. Thanks for the idea :)

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  8. Ruth -

    I'm so delighted to have inspired you! I think the yellows and oranges and reds would really POP against a teal door! I'd love to see your wreath once you're done, too!

    ~Chelsea

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  9. Hey! GORGEOUS JOB! I love the "M" -- and don't we just love Allison at HOH?
    Best regards,
    Gloria

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  10. P.S. sorry it originally "melted" but the end result/second result is beautiful!
    gv

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  11. I would LOVE if you would share this on my facebook fan page. Just upload a picture or two to my photo album. Please feel free to add a link back to your site.

    Here's a link to my fan page:
    Facebook.com/House of Hepworths

    My fan page photo album needs a little love from you. ;)

    Thank you so much!!

    ~Allison @ House of Hepworths

    ReplyDelete

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