Wednesday 18 July 2012

Christmas Star Wreath

Hello, and welcome!

I thought it was about time I did some catch-up with me little bloggie friends.......I've not been around, in Blogland, as much as usual simply because I've been far too busy.......a little of this, a little of that.......and the time zooms on by, with nary a wave.....haaaa!
Yesterday, I was up at the crack of dawn........yawwwwnnn....at least, that's what 6.00am felt like......I am not a morning person.........had no idea that there a two 6 o'clocks in a day....haaaaa!  I was supposed to be taking my dear old Mam to the hospital to have a cataract removed.....she still enjoys tellin' anyone who'll listen about the first  one she had removed......"it was a s thick as a brick!".......heehee........and this one was going the same way....needed to be out.
I was up, showered, powdered and puffed, dressed and ready to go..........phone call from Mam........she'd been lying awake,  all night, and was too tired to go......hmmmpphhh!!
Had to make another appointment........turned out she was more worried about this cataract, because........"the last one was as thick as a brick, so this might be a concrete slab!".  Has a real sense of drama, my Mam, lol.........

So.....what else have I been up to?  Let me tell ya.........
When I was in New York, in January, I bought some Scrap Bags of quilting fabric.....essentially, they are long strips of beautiful fabric, measuring about 4 inches by 20 inches, and they are perfect for stitching scrappy quilts.  One of my Scrap Bags was full of Christmas fabrics, (of course!), and I'm now almost finished handsewing a lovely Christmas quilt to go over the back of my sofa.....woohoo!

I've also been doing some more work in the front garden.....in between torrential downpours!.......and my new lavender hedge is planted, pretty and perfumed!  I planted it up against our low red-brick wall, which has cream stone coping on top, and the whole effect is lovely.......definitely needed doin'....haaa!

Next to keep me fingers busy is a Chjristmas Wreath.....well, I am on a countdown to the most wonderful time of the year, even if I am on me own.....lol......

I was inspired by a little beauty I spotted on Pinterest and you'll find the tutorial if you click on the link.
I changed mine up a bit........I simply cut 2 pieces of thick(ish) cardboard, (I drew around my pizza stone, which is about 12 inches across)......then put a large dinner plate in the centre, and drew around and cut out the middle bit.
Next step is to cut two different sizes of stars.....I used my Fiskar's template......about 12 large and 24 smaller.
The larger ones are cut from some of last year's Christmas stash, 12 of the smaller ones are cut from the same paper choice, and the other 12 smaller ones are cut from red and green cardstock.....
All you then have to do is score all the stars, (except the 12 cut from red and green card) on the back, from every point.....this gives the 3D effect.......I then used a hot glue gun to fix the red and green (flat) stars to the card circles (which are stuck one on top of each other), and then place the larger stars around the circle, on top of the red and green card ones.
The smaller red stars are then placed between the large stars........I used buttons on the larger stars, and candi drops on the smaller.
I tried putting a bow on the top, but didn't like the effect.......I'm more a long, knotted piece of string girl....haaa!  Might change it, later......who knows?.......

I actually ended up  making two of these........Daughter # 1 was supposed to be making her own, but didn't!

I think it looks quite sweet........

Will probably be hung in my front porch, come the Season To Be Merry.....and I'm thinkin' of making an Autumnal one, too......love wreaths!!

Hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July (I used old papers from  last year)







17 comments:

  1. Oh Anne-Marie, I really, really like this. It looks so festive. I'm thinking this might be a fun project to do with my little Claire. She would really enjoy it! Super, super project!

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  2. Well you have been busy!!!!!I love the wreath and thanks for the link and you fab instructions.xxx

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  3. Clever you! Isn't this just marvellous? I think an Autumn one is a great idea too. You've got me itching to have a bash at something like this now! Naughty daughter number 1 not doing hers! Would love to see the Christmas quilt when it's finished too!

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  4. This is beautiful!! I recently learned how to make those stars but never thought of doing something smart like this with them!!! Isn't Pinterest great????

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  5. Wow! That's so beautiful. I love it! I hope you'll let us see your quilt when it's finished. Hugs!!!

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  6. WOW, this is absolutely gorgeous. Love that you've used different sized stars. Really enjoyed reading your post and thanks so much for joining us at the Belli Blog. pat k.x

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  7. cute idea with the stars thanks for joining in at Divas by Design
    sheryl

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  8. So pretty and such a great way to use up last year's papers! Can't wait to see a pic of that lovely quilt!!

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  9. Wow, this is a very beautiful wreath. Love it. Great papers did you use. Thanks for joining us at ABC Christmas Challenge. Love, Wilma

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  10. Oh what a gorgeous wreath, and what a BRILLIANT idea to create it out of stars! Love the patterns, papers and colours you've combinated, looks AMAZING. Absolutely beautiful work, and I love the buttons and pearls you've added to the center of the stars, such lovely details!

    have a nice day
    hugs
    Hanna

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  11. Thanks for joining our challenge at TG this week. Your project is stunning! hugs Sharon

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  12. What a lovely christmas project. Love the colour combination and the little embellishments. Gorgeous.

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  13. A fabulous creation hun! Thanks for playing along at Wednesday's Creative Inspirations this week! xxx

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  14. Such a beautiful wreath. Love the star you've made in christmas colours and love the buttons too. Thanks for playing at ABC Christmas Challenge and good luck. Hope to see you back wednesday for a new challenge. Bettina xx

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  15. This looks fabulous!
    Thanks for playing with us at the ABC Christmas Challenge!
    Helen x

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  16. Oh this is fabulous love the idea and Love that it is all stars too! Thanks for Playing along with us this time for our N for Not a Card Challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge this time, hugs Samantha :0)

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  17. Very pretty, the stars are beautiful in all of those coordinating papers. Thanks for joining us on the ABC Christmas Challenge.
    Hugs, Carissa

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