Crafting Failure - What Not to Do

Have you ever started a craft or decor project and just not like how it was looking... only to continue and further dislike it? That happened to me for the first time this past week.

Each major holiday I usually craft a new wreath for our entry door. As we celebrate Independence Day (Fourth of July) here in America I love decorating with the traditional patriotic Red, White & Blue! So, two weeks ago I decided to come up with a new wreath idea (new to me). I have seen mesh wreaths all over the internet but I had never made one. I decided to give it a try. 

My first mistake was that I wasn't smart enough to look and see how people were actually making them, I just set out to do it all on my own. 

The first picture shows the materials I had purchased to make my wreath. It looked like a good start. I was going to paint the stars white and cover them in white glitter (which I already had). The mesh I was planning to gather, loop and tie around the wreath.  

In my mind, this was going to be so cute!!! However, I quickly discovered that the bright white wreath form looked horrible under the mesh. The mesh is very very see through. It didn't seem to matter how much I gathered and scrunched it around the wreath... I just kept seeing the white styrofoam still showing through. I was so disappointed with it that I just pulled it apart... which means I forgot to take a photo of my first failed attempt!

At about midnight I got the idea to use a wire coat hangar as my wreath frame. I bent and shaped the hangar until it was round and used the top as a hook where I would be able to hang it from. Since the mesh is so full and fluffy I figured the wire frame would work. And it did... 

I used thin craft wire to attach the mesh to the wreath frame (coat hanger). Every six or so inches I gathered the mesh and twisted a wire around it to fasten. When I was done with the blue I pushed it all together semi tight around the frame. I had planned the blue to be about 25% of the wreath and then the red/white the other 75%.

As I started adding the red and white mesh I realized that choosing two totally different size/thicknesses of mesh was a big mistake! The blue mesh was only 6" wide while the red/white mesh was 21" wide. Making many blue loops and then pushing them together made the blue look nice and full. 

As I got started with the red/white mesh it started looking lumpy and lopsided right from the beginning. Although it is not as noticeable in the photo, I just couldn't deal with the lopsided look. I walked away from it for a couple of days and then went back to it... but I still wasn't happy with it. I ended up pulling it apart. I am going to save the mesh for a future craft, but this is one project that I admit was a FAIL.

So this is pretty much a lesson in what not to do. But as long as I learned from it (and I did), then I guess it's not a total fail.

I know with a blog called Anyone Can Decorate, I shouldn't make mistakes :) But, I am real and I wouldn't want anyone to think that I always get it right. We all make mistakes, and it's okay!

Blessings,

Diana

DIY Chalkboard Canisters - Kitchen Organizing

I recently purchased these handy canisters to organize my kitchen dry-goods.  I added chalkboard labels to them for easy identification... plus they are cute!

I used this OXO Good Grips POP Canister Set

I cut out my own labels from contact chalkboard paper... however to make it easier you can buy precut chalkboard labels. 

Simple Patriotic Candy Display

Last year I did this super easy Red, White and Blue Candy Display... It added a great Patriotic Pop to my kitchen counter... and it tasted good too :)

I used a variety of mason jars and other clear containers... filled them each with red, white and/or blue candies or treats and then tied simple patriotic colored ribbons around them.

The red white and blue sweet treats naturally look great displayed together!  I used a few of our favorites, but any red white and blue edible items would work.

I elevated a few of the containers on a cake plate and set the others around the bottom.  Super simple and so festive!  

I'm trying to decide what to decorate this year.  Will you be decorating anything patriotic this 4th of July?

Patriotic Wreath Ideas

Independence Day is less than a month away so it's time to get Patriotic. I love red, white and blue decor and I'm loving this super cute book page wreath from Meegan Makes! 

Be sure to visit Meegan's blog to see how she made it.

Using old books adds such great character... and you can find books on just about any subject at thrift stores for just a buck or two.

This next DIY cutie is from Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage. She gives us a great tutorial on how to make it.  She is one of my favorite DIY'rs.  She has an amazing knack for DIY decorating and everything she does is beautiful!

I made this birdhouse wreath with denim flowers a couple of years ago. If you'd like to see how I made it visit the blog post HERE. 

I love how it turned out looks wise... BUT...

I will let you all know that this wreath although very cute was basically an epic FAIL!!! Since I had used a pool noodle as the "wreath ring" it was not nearly strong enough to hold my heavy wooden birdhouse. Over time (about a week) the weight of the birdhouse distorted the shape of the wreath from a circle to a tall skinny deformed oval (ooops!) Lesson learned ;)

I'm feeling inspired to make a new patriotic wreath this year. I'm not sure exactly what it will be, but this time it will be built to last. I'll be sure to share it with you when it's done.

Hope you are all doing well!

Until next time,
Happy decorating!

Diana