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Monday, March 7, 2011

Spring Square Wreath

Back in February when I was trying to pioneer a technique for making my own foam wreath forms, I made a square wreath form. My technique didn’t turn out as I envisioned, but I still was able to use the forms.

I made a square wreath form using the lid from a pizza box and some Great Stuff.
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The Great Stuff sprays out in rows. I wasn’t sure how much it would expand after I sprayed it, and at the time, I wasn’t thinking about even coverage. When it dried it was very bumpy. I used a bread knife to level the form.
If I use the foam again, I’ll be sure to spray the rows more evenly. Once you start spraying the foam, you have to use the whole can because you can’t save it.

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When I made the square wreath form, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do with it, but I knew I wanted it for my spring wreath.

After muling through a few ideas, I finally settled on a moss base for the wreath. I used sheet moss and hot glued it to the form. The sheet moss had some corners on it from where it was folded. I formed those over the corners of the wreath where possible. I glued the outer edge of the form first and worked toward the center.

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Sorry for the bad pictures. It was 5 a.m. in the morning when I was working on this and the lighting wasn’t the best.

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Hubs woke up and came in to see what I was doing. I made the mistake of asking him what he thought. He gave me the funniest look and said, very sweetly, “It looks like crap.” After 23 years of marriage, you’d think I’d learn that he calls ‘em like he sees him. I’ve stopped being offended because I know he can’t see the vision in my head.

I bought some tiny berry picks, some feathers and a birds nest and plastic eggs. The berries remind me of pussy willows, which I absolutely love. They are some of my favorite signs of spring. I used some green floral wire to hold the nest onto the frame.

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When I was at JoAnn’s, I noticed one of the eggs was smashed and I didn’t want to walk back to the floral section to find another one. I asked the cashier if she’d take some money off the price and she took off 75%! When I was doing the price for the post, I noticed she took the 75% off the berries instead of the eggs, but they were both the same original price so it’s all good.

I used an embossing stylus I had and stuck it in the hole at the end of the egg and pushed out the smashed area. It discolored the plastic, but it popped the egg back into shape. I just glued the ugly side down. I glued some feathers in the nest before gluing the eggs in.

I used some scrap burlap and drop cloth to make the flowers.

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A rectangle strip, twisted and wrapped in a circle and then hot glued onto a scrap of felt gave me some flowers. I glued on a couple of feathers for a leaf look and glued the flowers right onto the wreath.

Another scrap of burlap was used as the ribbon. I just cut it the width I wanted, fringed the edge and then tied it off with some twine.

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I need to glue some weights onto the back on the right side to offset the weight of the decoration on the left. Also, in the full light of day, I can see a few spots that need a bit more moss, but overall, I’m happy with the look.

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I love how natural it looks. Hubs and the boys like it since it’s so nature-y and not girly.

Cost Breakdown
1 bag Sheet Moss  - $2.99
Bird’s Nest - $2.99
Bird Eggs – $0.99 ($1.00 off for buy 1, get 1 deal paired with nest purchase)
Tiny Berries – $.47 (10% off Coupon plus 75% off)
Feathers - $1.19 (40% off Coupon)
Pizza box, Foam, Burlap, Drop Cloth, Twine – Stash on Hand
Total Project Cost - $8.63
Total Project Time – 45 minutes

Be sure to check out the link parties on my sidebar. I'm also linking up at Inspired by Charm.
 Visit thecsiproject.com

65 comments:

  1. I love your wreath! I made one too this weekend! Inspired by Charm is doing a linky party giveaway for door wreaths you should check it out. Come see my wreath at dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com!

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  2. I love it. I haven't seen anything like this before. I've been thinking about doing a Moss Monogram.

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  3. Love it! I really like the square, it's so unexpected. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Wow, I can't believe something so beautiful can be so inexpensive to make. I love your wreath! Wonderful work!

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  5. I am your newest follower!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

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  6. I love the creative palate of the square wreath! The burlap and the eggs are great compliments to the moss! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Followed your link from Coastal Charm, stop by and visit me at cookscleansplayswithpaper.blogspot.com

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  7. That is so sweet! Beautiful! I love it!!

    :)rachel from SunScholars.blogspot.com

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  8. So pretty! I love the square shape!

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  9. Hmmm...I wonder how I could use this with the monogram idea...I think the letter "C" would be a good wreath...although I really do love the square aLOT.

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  10. That is so cool! I never would have thought to do this. The creativity of these women just amazes me!

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  11. Great Stuff! No pun intended! That is such a great Idea! I will have to keep this in mind! I never new it could be used like that!

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  12. I love how your break down your projects with how much supplies cost. Your projects always amaze me. I'm so itching for spring. Thanks so much for linking up to Terrific Under Ten!

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  13. I love this idea! I found your blog at the DIY Showoff. You have such great ideas and I'm your newest follower! I'd love it if you'd follow me back: http://stillwaterstory.blogspot.com/
    Again, you did a fantastic job with this!! :-)

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  14. i absolutely love this-it is perfect. not too springy or easter-y, just natural and timely. love!

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  15. It's so hard to find a pretty spring wreath that doesn't look like the Easter bunny exploded all over it. This one is perfect!

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  16. Thanks for the love, everyone.

    @Summerstead - I totally agree about the easter bunny thing. My people are all teenagers and adults. I've been trying to find more grown-up versions of my decor for awhile now.

    My only nod to seasonal decorating at this point is a wreath.

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  17. I love it. What a great idea to use spray foam.

    Ruth

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  18. Wow, that is so pretty! And I would've never thought of using Great Stuff. I guess since you have to use the can up all at once, it'd be good to make a couple wreath forms.

    I'm thinking of making a rag wreath (like rag balls). They're naturally bumpy, so I wonder if the bumps from the Great Stuff would matter. Just something I need to try to find out. :)

    Thanks for sharing,
    Tracy http://allthumbscrafts.blogspot.com

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  19. Love This! The spray foam is genius!

    I'm your newest follower and would love for you to stop by sometime!

    www.lovelaughteranddecor.blogspot.com

    Warm Wishes,
    Jodie

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  20. Well done! This turned out so beautifully!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  21. I just laughed outloud-when I read that your hubby said, "Looks like crap". Thank heavens you're not offended:) My hubby would of said the very same words. *Your vision of springtime is fabulous!

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  22. I absolutely love everything about this wreath! Especially the square shape! I would love for you to link up to my Ten Buck Tuesday link parties!

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  23. that is just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!
    lovely photos!
    take care,
    Rosa

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  24. Visiting from DIY by Design and this is so pretty! I love that it is square, makes it a little different than the typical wreath. Price is excellent too! Thanks for sharing!
    Jen

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  25. What a clever idea for a wreath. Thanks so much for linking up to the party.

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  26. To think Great Stuff could be turned into such a beautiful project! Very creative - love it!

    Teresa@Much-A-Do

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  27. I love it! I have a thing for moss... It is the perfect spring wreath!

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  28. what a great idea, I've never seen a square wreath before. THanks for linking this up to our blog party.

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  29. Amazing. I would have never thought of that. It turned out so cute! Great job.

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  30. Great idea with the spray foam! Really came out nice!

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  31. Really beautiful-love the nests too!

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  32. This is so unique and pretty! I love the blue Robin eggs!

    Amy
    sittingatourkitchentable.blogspot.com

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  33. We featured you over at Justsewsassy.com!! Feel free to grab a button!

    Thanks for sharing this!

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  34. It looks AWESOME! Love the sideways look from the hubs! When will they learn that it will eventually look like a million dollars?? I am glad to know about this spray foam!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  35. I'm new to your blog and totally blown away! The expandable insulation is a genius idea!! Thanks so much for sharing the BEAUTIFUL project. I love this new found spot in blog land. :)

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  36. Wow! I LOVE this! It's gorgeous and so unique!

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  37. This is awesome!

    And I totally get where you're coming from. Everyone always doubts my vision until they see the finished product! But now they're starting to trust me.

    Best,
    Ashleigh

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  38. Beautiful! Spring is coming, I am thrilled!

    I am a new follower from Chic on a Shoestring, I would love if you could stop by www.mooseandtater.com

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  39. Suesan - your wreath turned out so cute, and who would of thought...square? It works, and is so unique! Nice job my friend!

    Husbands don't usually see that vision in our heads - good thing, they'd realize we really are a bit crazy!!! (but in a good way, right??)

    I'll keep you updated on our show. We don't know how big our space will be (since we're sitll looking for one...), but if there's room, I'll let you know!

    Enjoy the sunshine today (and thanks for stopping by my blog!).

    Hugs, Kathy

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  40. That is really cool!!! Awesome idea!!! so very spring-ish too! :)

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  41. This is very cool, love every detail!

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  42. Very clever use of materials and gorgeous too!
    Visiting from Whipperberry...
    Cheers!
    Theresa

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  43. Thanks for the love! I do think it'd be a great idea to use the Great Stuff for a Monogram form. If you plan to try this, have a couple of bases for different projects you want to try. I think Great Stuff is under $4 at HD or Lowes.

    Fill up one whole base first and get it a litter higher than you want it. That will give you room to cut it down to even out the shape.

    Once you have one base done, move onto the next one. If you try to do all of them at once, you'll end up with less on each than you probably want.

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  44. Gorgeous! I love that you have so many techniques featured in the one post. Thanks for sharing. I may just have to copy you...if that's okay. LOL!

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  45. Oh, Please copy! If you do, send me a picture. I'd love to see what you come up with.

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  46. Great Stuff?! Really? Who'da thunk it? (I mean, besides you...?) Brilliant!

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  47. Your wreath is awesome! I love how you made your own form. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  48. LOVE this idea!! Your wreath turned out sooo cute!! I'd love one for my door! Thanks for sharing!

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  49. This is adorable! I would have never thought to use that to make a foam wreath! I have to share it on my FB page!

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  50. Love it! What a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Brittany
    http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

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  51. Ooh, I love this! I really like the square shape and the birds nest detail. Just came across your blog today and I'm a new follower.

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  52. Suesan! Your awesome, you always come up with the most clever ideas! I LOVE this and have to make one! Thanks so much for linking up to Try it Tuesday at DotDotDot..totally made my day!I wil be featuring this!!
    Have a Happy Monday!
    Tasha

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  53. I LOVE this wreath!!! You are very talented!!

    I am a new follower! Looking forward to getting to know you!

    Come by to visit me sometime!!

    ~~~rhonda~~~ xoxo

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  54. Gorgeous wreath, I'm featuring it in tomorrow's A Crafty Soiree, thanks for linking up!

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  55. Hello! Yes! I *Loved* this project and put it right to the top of my list! Then when I happened to be in the area of a Dollar Tree, I knew I could get it done pronto! Thanks for the great inspiration!

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  56. I like the idea of using the spray foam to make different shapes thanks for sharing!

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  57. You are so smart! I love the look of square wreaths but my budget doesn't usually make room for them. You have inspired me to create something just like this! Thank you so much! Please visit me anytime at http://twogingerprinces.blogspot.com/

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  58. Great job on the wreath - I was scrolling through the projects at CSI and this stopped me in my tracks!!

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  59. Wow, this looks lovely. Hope to see you at My Dream Canvas.

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  60. Thanks for the inspiration, I just made 2 of these for my front doors and I used a 16 oz. bottle of great stuff and made square wreaths about 16" across, 4" thick and 2" deep. The pizza box was perfect. I will definitely be using this technique in the future!! But next time I won't be an idiot and touch it - first I tried to wash my hands with soap and water and spread it over both hands so then I had to scrub them with acetone... yeah, not good on all those little cuts. I was able to find all the other stuff at JoAnn and I seriously love the moss & bird theme, I'm going to use it all over my house!

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  61. Hi Marissa,

    I definitely should made a bigger point to tell people not to touch the Great Stuff until it dries. It takes sticky to a whole other realm! Glad you enjoy the technique and I'd love to see your wreaths!

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  62. I just wanted to let you know how much I adore your moss wreath. Thanks for the tutorial and the tips! :)

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I love to hear what you have to say about my projects. If you have a question about how I did something, or if you have an idea to share, please leave a comment.

Thanks!