Happy November!
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, I have the weekend off, and I have a ton to do. Not including my homework. Three papers due the week after Thanksgiving. But right now I don’t care, I’m putting it aside and getting some much needed crafting done.
Now I normally don’t like to have anything to do with Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Working in retail, we jump from Halloween straight to Christmas. I don’t like that Thanksgiving is skipped over. However, I’m having to plan out getting gifts, so I’m starting on things early.
A few weeks ago I learned how to crochet on youtube, and decided that everyone is getting scarves for Christmas. I’ve been working on that between classes and on the bus. Another project that has been floating in my head is wreaths made of candy. These are actually really cheap to make, festive, and you can make them in a variety of colors.
Gather your materials. I went to Dollar Tree for my materials. It cost me four dollars for the materials, if you don’t include glue. You’re going to need a wreath. I chose a wicker wreath. The Dollar Tree also had floral foam circles, which a lot of people prefer for a more flat surface. Ribbon in any width you’d like, just make sure you have enough to wrap your wreath. I chose a wide white and silver ribbon. Glue. You can use super glue, hot glue, or rubber cement. I used E6000. This stuff is thick, sticky and takes forever to set. But when it does set, it will never come apart. Finally you’ll need candy. Whatever candy you’d like. I chose peppermints and cinnamon disks to go with a red and white theme.
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Start by gluing one end of the ribbon to the wreath. If your glue takes a while to set use a straight pin to keep the ribbon in place until it sets. Wrap the ribbon around the wreath entirely.
Now glue your candy to the front of your wreath all the way around.
If the glue takes a while to set, and you find your candy moving and slipping, and it comes individually wrapped, keep it in place with a straight pin.
You don’t have to do a pattern like I did, you can arrange the candy any way you like. Half and half or randomly. When you’re done, you should have candy glued the entire way around the wreath. You can stop here if you feel the need. I wanted to add a little bit more, so I added a row on the inside of the wreath. If you do this be sure the glue sets before turning the wreath to glue on more candy.
You don’t have to stop here. You can add a layer to the outside of the wreath too. You can also embellish your wreath with a bow if you like. I didn’t go any further. I like the simplicity of the two rows. Make sure you have a mechanism to hang your wreath. You can purchase a hook at a hardware store, or even the seasonal section at wal-mart to hang it. I attached some left over iridescent ribbon. I made this wreath in particular for my “adoptive” grandma Mary. I hope she likes it.
So is anyone else crafting gifts for the holidays? Does anyone have an interesting family traditions? This Christmas will be interesting. My brother, Jeremy, will be on leave before going off to Ranger school. His girlfriend, my “adoptive” little sister Jessie, will be joining us for a little while. I’m very excited.
Anyone have any Thanksgiving traditions? Anyone watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Or any parade?
I probably won’t be able to post again until class is out on December 18th. If I pass all my classes then I will officially have completed the courses for my Associates of Fine Arts degree. Squee! Until then.
Love, music, and feathers people, and Happy Thanksgiving.
