After Christmas Craft

Who doesnt love crafting??? Who doesnt love a good deal??? Who doesnt love CRAFTING and a GOOD DEAL all in one???
I cant take all the credit for this project. A friend of mine, Megan, posted pictures on Facebook of the wreath that she made before Christmas and I just LOVED how it turned out. I made our Winter wreath about 4 years ago and I knew it was time for a new one. I could not wait to try and make a similar wreath to Megan's but I knew I was going to wait until after Christmas so I could take full advantage of the 50% off sales.

Here is my inspiration, Megan's ornament wreath:


Megan used a wire hanger as her form. She added a bow she made with ribbon to cover the hook.


I did not have a wire hanger, but did have a wood wreath that I picked up at the dollar store in the fall to make a fall wreath but never did. The day after Christmas I went to Target to check out the sales. Since this was the first time making this wreath I wasnt sure how it would turn out so I didn't want to spend a ton of money on the ornaments. I knew I wanted to do red and silver and found the perfect ones IN THE DOLLAR SECTION!!! Yes, the dollar section and they were 50% off!!! I bought 3 tubes of each color for a total of $3 on the ornaments. I couldnt wait to get home and start crafting. (I actually went back and bought 1 more tube of each color a few days later in case I needed more and they were only $ .25 a tube!)
I covered the wreath with silver ribbon (that I have had in my Christmas stuff for the past 4 years). Then I basically just started gluing the ornaments in place. There was no real science to it. I am a perfectionist and wanted it to be perfect but there were several times I just gave in and put them where ever they would fit. I realized that I needed smaller ornaments to fill in spaces and to break it up a little. Good thing I have TONS of little ornaments that I put in vases. I just grabbed my silver, red and frosted clear ones and went back to work.
I am really happy with how it turned out, although there are several spots that bother me. Maybe I will get inspired again and add a few more ornaments before hanging it up next Christmas.
Here is my finished product:



What do you think??? I still have to add a ribbon at the top but I will deal with that in December :)

Motivated

Shortly after Carson turned 1, I started planning his "big boy" room. I really wanted something he could grow into and finally decided on a Surfer Boy theme. I searched on- line for the perfect bedding but wasn't finding anything I LOVED. I kinda just forgot about it, until today (back to bedding in a few).

After reading a friends blog yesterday I became inspired to craft up a few things she had done. The first was a chalkboard plate that she kept in her kitchen for special messages. The picture she posted was from her sons 1st birthday. It was so cute and seemed so easy to make. Today my goal was to make that plate. I started my search at Home Goods but didnt find any plates that were super cheap or the right shape and size. I just love that store so I decided to walk around. I found myself in the Children Decor section and lone behold I found... THE PERFECT SURFER BOY BEDDING!!!! It was exactly what I was looking for. I just had to have it. I called Greg to make sure I could buy it and he said "go for it" so you better believe I did! I walked around a little more and came across the perfect picture for his room that matched the theme. Again, I called Greg to tell him about the perfect picture and he said I could get it as well. I just love that he lets me shop :) I decided it was time for me to leave Home Goods and move on to the next store to find the perfect plate.
Next I went to Ross. I found a plate for $3.99 and I loved the shape so I got it and headed straight to Jo-Anns for the chalkboard paint and anything else I could find.
Once I got home I showed Greg all of my wonderful finds and he really liked the bedding and picture for Carson's room. When I showed him the plate he pointed out something that would have been good to know BEFORE buying the plate... it had a grooved texture that would be hard write on. Ugh, back to Ross I went. Long story short I found the perfect plate. I couldnt wait to get started. Here are some pictures of the steps:



Taped the sides for a cleaner look.


All finished and sitting on the cute stand I found. now I just need some chalk.


For all of you who are wondering about the bedding and picture for Carson's "big boy" surfer room here you go:



Hopefully over the next few weeks I can finish transforming his room. Next step is spray painting an old shelf that we have had in the garage for years and making new letters either saying his name or 'Surfs Up', I cant decide.