Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Halloween Wreath and Banner


I started working on this Halloween Wreath over a month ago.  After completing my 4th of July straw wreath I knew I wanted to make one more but for Halloween and I think this Halloween wreath is even better than the original.  It's so graphic with  just the right amount of color.  I promise though this is my last straw wreath... that I know of.  It has so many different looks to it. 

Wreath Supplies:

- 1 foam wreath form (you need one with a flat front, I found mine at the dollar store)
- yarn or fabric to wrap around the wreath form
- orange ribbon to hang the wreath
- approximately 70-75 striped straws (I ordered mine from Amazon)
- hot Glue
- 1/2 yard of tulle (optional)
- small straight pins (optional)

Banner Supplies:

- 4 different pieces of scrapbook paper
- 2-3 pieces of black cardstock
- vinyl letters
- Halloween stickers
- twine
- scrapbook tape
- hot glue


Step 1:  Wrap your wreath form in yarn or fabric.  I used left over muslin strips I had from my ruffle tree skirt.  Place a small dot of glue every few wraps to help keep it in place.  (Fabric takes far less time than yarn)

Step 2:  Glue your orange ribbon to your wreath form on both the front and back.  I did this because I ended up gluing my straws on top of the ribbon.  Measure the ribbon to make sure the wreath hangs at the right length. 



Step 3:  Cut approximately 1 inch off half of your straws.  I would have a few extra of each size so about 35-40 straws in each size.

Step 4:  Glue your striped straws around your wreath form alternating between your two sizes.  You want the ends to touch at the center of the form.  A flat front wreath form is ideal because it gives you more surface in which to glue your straws to.



Step 5:  (Optional) Take your tulle and bunch it together so that it looks more like a strand of yarn then a piece of fabric.  Take one end and pin it to the inside of the wreath.  Twist the tulle and place another pin about every inch until you go around the entire center.  You will want to make sure the pins are hidden.   When you are done, cut off any extra tulle you may have and pin the second end.   


Reversible Banner

Step 1:  I made mine reversible so that one side said FALL and the other said BOO!.  I wanted my "Halloween wreath" to be able to stay up all fall as I plan on only decorating once in that three month span of time.  I used a Silhouette machine to cut out all of my triangles but you could easily cut them out with scissors as well.  There is a piece of black card stock in between the front and the back of each pendent to give it some strength. I used the scrapbook tape to glue each pendent together so my paper wouldn't bubble. 

Step 2:  I also used the Silhouette to cut out my black vinyl letters but again you could just go to the craft store and pick up stickers, chipboard, or pre-cut paper letters.  Place the letters for FALL on one side of the pendents.  Then flip the pendants over and reverse the order of colors.  The B for BOO! went on my silver pendent which was the back of my last L in FALL.  My ! went on the back of my F and so forth.  Place any Halloween stickers on your pendant to spice it up a little.  I found these really cute spiders at Michaels. 

Step 3:  Then you will hot glue your twine on the tops of one side of your pendant.  I chose FALL.  If you look at the photo carefully you will see that at each corner I made a small loop to help give more surface to glue.  The trick will be to glue the twine on top without it showing on the BOO! side (except in between each pendant of course).  

Step 4:  When attaching your pendant you will want to wrap each side around a few straws so as not to put all the weight on any single straw.  The banner does weigh quite a bit.   


Then you just enjoy your work of art for three months:)  I love that this wreath is so versatile.  It would look great without the banner but also transitions nice from fall decor to a Halloween wreath.  As it is made out of mostly paper is should be kept out of the elements. 

When taking photos I wanted a white background and since our front door is brown that meant bringing my lovely wreath inside and there it shall stay.  I decided that I think I need one indoor wreath and one outdoor wreath for each season. 

I also discovered I  love making decorations one season ahead because now I actually get to use my Halloween wreath for more than just a couple of days. 

What kinds of projects are you working on?  Have you stared working on any DIY Halloween ideas?

45 comments:

  1. i LOVE this wreath. I knew I should have picked up the adorable black and white paper straws I spotted at TJ Maxx a while back! This is the perfect Fall wreath and can so easily transition to a Halloween wreath!

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  2. The wreath is darling! I love the banner....it is such a cute accent! Do you have a cutting machine? Or do cut them out by hand?

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    1. I don't have a cutting machine but I have friends who do and I used theirs but you could adapt it so that you don't need one. I did cut the silver triangles by hand and they weren't that bad to cut.

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  3. So cute! Love how this turned out.

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  4. I love it! It turned out awesome!

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  5. That is so creative to use the straws for a halloween wreath. Very cute!

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  6. I love this - what a great project! Joining from Whatever Goes Wednesday - http://allthoseartsygirls.blogspot.com/

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  7. This wreath is so fabulous..I love the airiness of it! Great idea! Thanks for linking up and sharing it with us.
    Karin

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  8. This wreath is just plain awesome! I love the striped straws and the banner is perfect. Great job!

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  9. Adorable!!! I love the colorful straws! Used some on a frame recently. tHere are just so many options for using them.
    Love this!!!!
    XOXO, Dee@The CSI project

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  10. This is so cute! Love your use of the straws - what a great idea! (Saw you on Ginger Snap Crafts link party!) :)

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  11. Oh my gosh this is sooo cute! Brilliant use of the straws. I hope you'll link up to my Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party (fall ideas too).
    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/09/2012-wickedly-creative-halloween-ideas.html

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  12. Love the wreath! Would love for you to share this at our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party...just posted it! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/09/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link_13.html

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  13. Cute, cute, cute!

    So creative.

    Bobi
    http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com

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  14. How freakin' cute and creative is this! Love it!! :)
    Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse Party. I'll be featuring this tomorrow.

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  15. It really looks like a cross between a web and some spooky halloween visual effect. Very Cool!

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original Linky Party is open.

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  16. This wreath is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Love your wreath very unique...Thank you for linking up to Share it One More Time. All your projects are so nice...www.onemoretimeevent.blogspot.com
    Tammy

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  18. Love it!! So creative. Thanks for linking up to Do Something Crafty Friday :)

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  19. I've never seen anything like this, some I'm not tired of one more straw wreath! I love it. Thanks for joining the party at One Creative Weekend! Have a great weekend.

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  20. Super cute especially with the little pennants! Thanks so much for coming out to the party at Clean and Scentsible. I'll be featuring it on Sunday. Hope you have a great weekend!
    Jenn ;)

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  21. This is adorable! So clever to use the black and white straws!

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  22. This wreath is so cool Sarah. Great job. I am now following and I would love for you to follow back and maybe share this on my Monday party.
    Thanks, Marcie @ www.IGottaTryThat.com

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  23. Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing this Halloween Wreath and Banner on Simple & Sweet Fridays. What a creative idea!

    Jody

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  24. I love it! What a great idea. Thank you for sharing at my Our Favorite Things Link Party.

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  25. That turned out so cute! I found you on Flamingo Toes :)

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  26. Such a great idea...I love this!

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  27. This is such a fun and unique wreath - it looks awesome! :)

    Love for you to share it at my linky party if you get a chance :)
    http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2012/09/made-by-me-49-linky-party-and-features.html

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  28. What a great idea and way to use striped straws! LOVE IT!

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  29. Hi Sarah Dawn,
    Just stopping by to say Thank you for linking up to http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2012/09/one-more-time-link-party-and-features.html
    and to say Congratulations you have been featured.

    Thank you again and hope to see you at the next party
    Tammy

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  30. This is SOOOOO darn cute! We'd love for you to link this up to our party! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/09/riverton-housewives-round-up-33.html

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  31. I created a couple of things with those striped straws last year. Sure do love them. Never thought of making a wreath. Such a clever and cute idea! Thanks for sharing it with Share Your Cup.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  32. I featured your great project today!
    http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2012/09/made-by-me-50-linky-party-and-features.html

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  33. I like this idea so much that I pinned it and shared the pin on my Facebook Page. Please stop by OneCreativeMommy.com and grab a featured button. Thanks for linking up to One Creative Weekend. The new party opens tomorrow. I hope you’ll be back.

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  34. This is super cute & original! I love the design using the striped straws! I hope you'll share this over at Gettin' Krafty With It!
    http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/2012/10/gettin-krafty-with-it_8.html

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  35. Love this wreath! You should enter your photos from this project into Craftbaby's Halloween Decor Challenge! :) http://www.craftbaby.com/contests/32/halloween-decor

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  36. What a unique way to make a wreath!! I love it!!

    Thanks for linking up with us this month for Handmade Halloween! I'm featuring you today :o)

    Happy Halloween!
    xo, Meredith
    http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com/2012/10/31/handmade-halloween-features/

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  37. What a simple and fabulous way. My little sister is trying this.

    web designer in Toronto

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