Sometimes I have to put down the pencil and brush and indulge in an activity that embraces my Inner Old Lady: a craft project.
It’s true, there’s a decent percentage of my interests that have a definite Martha Stewart flavor; combine that with my Old Lady tendencies and voila! A craft storage box is born!
Or, in this case, was born. I’ve had this box for some time, and over the years I’ve amassed a small mountain of crafty vitals: feathers, various binding materials, ribbon, googly eyes, a glue gun, etc.
I had gone to Jo-Anns, a store that reeks of cinnamon potpourri and features a whole garden of fake flowers. And I bought some sticks. That were in the shape of wreaths. They were on sale.
I like sticks. I like bundles of sticks, I like branches that are inside homes, I pretty much like anything that reminds me of running around in the woods. So I made me a Summer Wreath.
Using some new materials, like Bag O’ Moss, and stuff I already had, I made a wreath inspired by this:
The real trick to these crafty projects is to veer away from things that are….well, just too cheesy. Skip the butterflies, obnoxious, unnatural colors, glass beads, crappy pieces of wood with words carved into them, materials that remind you of a kite – you know what I mean.
I vaguely followed the directions, because the process is pretty simple: jam stuff into the wreath, glue or tie it down, or don’t…..in whatever way that pleases you. So I did. And don’t worry about hurting the flowers, cause they’re fake.
But before I began, I attached this simple “noose” made of twine/wire at the top of the wreath for hanging.
The bag of moss was awesome, and some bits were still moist – weirrrrrd. This project is very similar to the Fall/Halloween wreath I made last year, but, sadly lacking a fake crow.
After I made a huge mess on the table, I was done!
Mossy, Green, and Twiggy. Just the way I like it. I hung it outside on our soon-to-be lush and bountiful summer porch.
But wait, there’s more! Oh, how fortunate for you.
I figured since I already had the materials out, I may as well make a flower crown using the vase of flowers Jake had given me recently (whatta man!).
Start with some sturdy twine/wire. Fit it around your head (not too tight). Wrap the ends around the hoop.
Add a glass of beer. Not necessary, but highly suggested.
Here are the flowers I victimized. They were dying, which totes works for me. A little wilty, but still bendy.
I loosely arranged the pieces around the crown, then I used twine to wrap around the hoop and fix the pieces in place.
And TA DAAAAAAA
You may wear the crown on your head.
Or place the crown on an animal skull.
Happy Summer Solstice! Here in Portland we’re just glad to have a sun to speak of, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
