Fall Wreath and Garland

Last year I got back on my kick of making decorations for all the holidays (which had totally gone to pot since moving again and not decorating for a single holiday yet this year... must get out halloween decorations.... ) We don't  really celebrate all the holidays because I just never seem to find the time for that. BUT decorating for them and adding fun bright temporary decorations to the house is totally something I can get behind. 

My fall section is severely lacking (as in I have NONE) so I finally came across this idea for a wreath and liked it enough to run with it with a bunch of changes. LIKE for one I am not going to knit a bunch of yarn into sheets and then felt them as the instructions said (I am all for crazy but what is Lion Brand smoking?!?) Instead I spent a ridiculous amount of time cutting out leaves from wool felt and then I washed them all to get the texture. Then I wrapped metal wire in yarn (see that is stupid crazy) and sewed the metal on to each individual leaf. Then I also made felt pinecones and berries... because it seemed reasonable (ahem) - there's more pictures below with progress shots

I also finally got around to making an acorn garland. I gathered the large acorns caps on the trip we took to Tennessee 3 years ago. I used Dad's drill press to put 2 holes in the top of each cap and then strung them on copper colored leather. It was a super fun project except that I really never want to felt tiny balls again... and I currently have a project in mind that would require me doing more of that.... 

Just so you know there are in fact a bazillion leaves on this wreath. And it definitely falls into the things I am so glad I made and never want to make again category!

Pinterest Challenge Winter Edition.... Felt Balls....

It's time for the Pinterest Winter Edition hosted by Bower Power and Young House Love

I finally made myself a felted ball wreath! This has been on my to do list for years. 

Inspirations from here. LOVE LOVE LOVE the original. 

I can't even begin to tell you how ridiculously long this took me because I continually underestimated the number of balls I would need to finish. I never want to wet felt another thing in my life... I think there is around 350 balls on this 16" wreath... And the first round of 100 balls that I made were way too small so all of those had to be redone... I'm balled out. 

 But isn't it GORGEOUS in my entry?! (whatever I love it! lol) After my 3rd batch of balls proved to be insufficient I was really hoping Uber would tell me he hated it (he had said when I showed him my pinspiration picture that he wasn't a fan) so I was ready to scrap it and use the balls elsewhere. Unfortunately -fortunately?!- he decided that he actually really liked it.... so one more day of felting and I finally was able to complete it... I absolutely have to say that this wasn't a process I enjoyed I just wasn't willing to shell out the cash for this many premade balls.   

To make these I tightly rolled the felt and spent a few seconds needle felting it into the ball shape to make sure everything would stay in place. Then I wet felted using hot water and soap. Generally I worked with each ball twice and when I was done I ran them through the dryer on high heat for two hours. 

 I thought making them would be fun to include Micah in. He did get a kick out of it. However the ball making part was lost on him. He liked squishing the balls and putting too many balls in the water... and playing with soap and generally making a massive mess. 

It was highly entertaining for the both of us. Then I set him up with a hairdryer and let him blow them around... because it made him very happy! When he was bored I threw them all in the dryer. 

If you are looking for a fun kid project this was definitely enjoyable- just don't expect results!

 Totally worth it! (now that it's done!)