Valentine’s Wreath

This Valentine’s Wreath is a sweet way to spread a little love to everyone who walks through my front door…and you can make one, too, for just a few dollars. It’s super easy, although, it does require a bit of patience. Just imagine tying hundreds and hundreds of knots. At least, that’s what I’m guessing. I didn’t actually count.

To make this Valentine’s Wreath, you’ll want to start with a trip to the Dollar Store. That’s where I found the heart-shaped wire form that was the inspiration for this project. As you can see from the picture, It’s not the best quality. (The ones you find at the craft store have four wires going around.) But, hello?, it was only a dollar, and I wasn’t planning on making a wreath anyway, until I saw it.

You’ll also need about a yard of fabric. You can cut up an old pair of jeans, use an old sheet or find something you already have. Or you can pick up something new at the fabric store and choose just the right shade of red, pink, or whatever color you would like.  I decided to work with some cotton fabric I already had.  I bought it at the thrift store for $2.99.  If you’ve been following my blogs, you know that I am a thrift store addict.  I walk down the miscellaneous fabric aisle every time I go!  And having random pieces of fabric seems to pay off when projects like this Valentine’s Wreath come along.

Cut the fabric into strips about an inch wide and 7-inches long.  You don’t have to worry about the strips being perfect.  It’s not going to show once you tie them.  Nor do you have to have exact measurements.  You can just eyeball it.  But, I will say, learn from my mistake and go with about 7-inches long.  I cut mine about 6 inches long, and because this is a cheap wire form, the gaps are really wide, and the longer fabric would have hidden those gaps better.

Once you have a pile of strips, fold each one in half and begin tying them around the wire.  It’s a simple, basic knot, but it’s kind of hard to photograph.  You’ll want to fit as many knots as you can squeeze in, so be tightening as you go to make room for more.

When you’re wreath is all full, you can embellish a little further.  I decided I wanted an arrow piercing the heart, so I ran to the hardware store for an 88¢ wooden dowel.  I cut the dowel to size, and even shaved off the tips to make it flatter, then I cut an arrowhead and fletching from a piece of peel-n-stick burlap tape and stuck them on the ends.

By the way, you may not want to copy me on the part about shaving the wooden dowel ends.  My husband walked in on me when I had the blade in my hand and said, “Why do you do stuff like that!? You’re gonna cut yourself!”  I can only assume that means there’s a safety-approved-wood-dowel-shaving tool of some sort that I should have used instead.

As for the burlap tape, you can find it at the craft store, or even at Walmart.  I actually use it quite a bit on other things. If you don’t want to use the peel-n-stick burlap, felt would be a really cute alternative.

I used thin wire to secure the arrow in place, and added a red bow, and with that, I was ready to show my Valentine’s Wreath the door!

If you enjoy going all out for Valentine’s Day, get inspired to host a “Gal-entine’s” party for all your favorite girlfriends.  Check out http://www.muralsbymarcy.com/gal-entines-party/