Halloween on a dime

My sisters make fun of me because every time I see something awesome (but don't want to pay for it) my response is always "I could make that!"

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I find that yes I really can make that, but why would I want to? It was WAY easier just to buy it. This blog is dedicated to the times that I do!

My first entry will be about this SUPER Halloween wreath that I found on Etsy.

 I have included the link for two reasons:

1. I recognize that many of you have neither the desire, or know how to DIY some of this stuff

2. I in NO WAY want to take away business from any of my fellow Etsyians. You work hard for every single sale you make.

OK here we go. So the wreath has a pretty hefty price tag of $120. I am broke that is WAY over my price range. I would like to spend about $20. First I spent hours (OK more like 10 min) pouring over the picture, decided what I really liked about it. Also how it might be constructed. In the end I decided on these materials:

1  18" foam wreath core................................$11.99 (ouch!)

1 spool of 3" wide black satin ribbon.............$6.99

2 rolls 4" wide cotton gauze @ $2.99............$5.98

Muslin...........................................................FREE cause I already had it

Fabric glue....................................................FREE I am so prepared

                                                    TOTAL....$24.96

So I am already over my $20 budget, whoopsers. Oh well lets get crafting!
First thing I did was tear my muslin into strips roughly 4" wide. No, I didn't measure I just eyeballed it and ripped! Why ripped? Cause it's spookier that's why! It took me 6 strips to wrap my entire wreath. Nothing fancy, just wrap and glue.

All cut up and ready to go!

Wrap and glue, wrap and glue!

And done!

Now that I finished wrapping the foam with muslin it's time to add the gauze. I was too excited to wait for the glues to dry, though you might want to. I did end up with a lot of glue on my hands. I repeated the same process of wrapping and gluing until I covered the wreath with muslin.At this point I want you to know that I was very disappointed that my wreath didn't look like the one from Etsy. But after reviewing my inspiration picture some more I decided that somehow the artist had made the gauze stick up and be puffy. I decided this could be accomplished by cutting the gauze into strips and tying them to the wreath. I also made a happy discovery! The gauze is folded in two! I fixed that! More gauze for me. Also I am kicking my self for all that gauze I wasted wrapping around the wreath. I totally could have cut it in half and gotten the same effect.

I kind of pulled and teased the ends of the gauze that hung over. It makes it kinda puffy and mummy-ish. So just keep tying and teasing until you have made it around the wreath. At this point though I was out of gauze and had to make another trip to Target cause I am a big waster :|

More wrapping and teasing, and wrapping until it's all covered. Now you're DONE! Well, almost. Embellish as desired. I went with a length of black ribbon tied in a simple bow. Though now that I have it up I am not sold on the black...I may add some grey like the one from Etsy. I think I have some grey ribbon lurking around my craft closet.......or I could always make some!