Today’s post seems fitting because we have so much to celebrate this week! In honor of Kate, we’re partying for Mardi Gras (ya know, good girl style, with fried carbs instead of inappropriate flashing and public drunkenness) which also coincides with Brazilian Carnival, something dear to my heart (again, make some Brazilian Lemonade don’t wake up in a gutter somewhere in Rio…) PLUS, in the next day or two we’re hopping on planes to Salt Lake City for the launch of our cookbook and we hope to meet many of YOU at our signings! (Details at the end of this post.) To top it all off, yesterday marked the 3rd year from the day we started this little recipe blog. See? So many reasons to celebrate!
I first saw this fun wreath on How Does She and I fell in love with it immediately. Why? For starters, I’m pretty sure I recently developed an obsession with wreaths. You may have noticed. Kate has. It also looked so easy, and didn’t take a lot of materials. Lastly, how fun is it? I just look at it and smile. At our house we pull it out any time it’s someone’s birthday. Use it to celebrate whatever the heck it is you’re celebrating!
Materials:
- Straw Wreath– the kind wrapped in plastic, they’re super cheap at craft stores. I think I paid $2 for a 14″ wreath. Foam or styrofoam could work also, but the straw works really well and it looks better if you don’t end up covering every last inch.
- Floral Pins– you don’t need a gigantic pack like I have. I’m sort of addicted to buying in bulk. I need more projects with floral pins.
- Latex Balloons– lots of them. You can really stretch the amount you have, or you can really pack them in tight. I used about 275 Balloons. Remember, balloons are cheap, buy in bulk, try the party store or dollar store. I bought a bunch of mine at Walmart. I covered enough that you can’t see the wreath unless you get close up and look at the very side.
Take a floral pin and place a balloon right in the middle of the opening
Then just push the pin right into the wreath. Note you leave the plastic covering on your wreath. The pins go right in, easily.
See? Adorable little balloon. But lonely. He won’t be lonely for long. Grab another pin and just keep repeating the process.
You’ll get a feel for how close to place the balloons as you go along. I found after a while I could spread them out more than I originally thought because the balloons are propped up and floppy so they fill in the space. I probably placed the pins about an inch, or maybe a little less than an inch, apart.
Make sure your tv is turned on at this point. This actually goes really fast. I made mine start to finish while catching up on 2 episodes of 30 Rock. And that’s with fast forwarding the commercials!
When I got all the way around and there was just a little space left, I wrapped a big ribbon around the wreath. I then placed the remaining floral pins and balloons right through the ribbon which secured it in place.
Then you’re all ready to go. Hang ‘er up and party!
Seriously cute, right?? I love.
Questions & Reviews
How do you decide which way to pin the balloons? It seems, you have to mix it up and not pin them the same direction.
It doesn’t take much effort or thought, just plunk them all in there close together and it will look good!
Where did you get all the balloons? Individually or wholesale? thanks
I bought most of mine at Walmart, in the party section.
This is really cute and simple. I am going to do one with black, yellow, and red for my sons mickey mouse room!
Love this! We actually have one in our “birthday box” along with a birthday pillowcase, birthday chair cover and birthday albums. We celebrate the birthday boy/girl for the whole week and want everyone (even the neighbors…hence the wreath) to know:)
My sister has french doors that she keeps different wreaths on all year, and I’m getting ready to throw her a Dr Seuss baby shower in a couple weeks. I’m going to make 2 of these and add a “Cat In The Hat” to each…..she won’t even notice the other decorations! Such a cute idea!
What size ballons?
just standard size balloons.
Cute idea…..Great job!!!!!
This is really cute & just ran up on it by accident, but I may have to try it.
Thanks
Awesome idea!
Just completed one of these and hung it on our door for the month of June (our baby will be 1 and my hubby and many of his family members have June birthdays)! It looks great! Thanks for such an awesome idea and so many other great ones that you share on the blog!
Absolutely love this idea. I can’t wait to get close to a craft store.
Hi Best Bites Girls!! Love your blog, love your cookbook, love your humor and your wit!! Love this balloon wreath and we are featuring it as inspiration for our own teacher appreciation balloon wreath!! Thanks for being so fabulous and for the great ideas!! http://holidaysnobs.blogspot.com/2011/04/fun-teacher-appreciation-ideas-for.html
Holiday Snob
This reminds me of a bow my grandma made for me when I was little. She used shimmer ballons it was my favorite! I think I will have to make this!
I made one of these the other as an easter/ spring celebration, I LOVED making it!
how creative! Love it!
Made these with my three sisters-in-law at a Motherhood Retreat in St. George, UT last weekend and they turned out fabulous. The day after we made them, we were also excited to see the same wreath hanging on someone’s front door as we were driving around town. They’re everywhere!
Shoot! I missed your book signing! I would have loved to come and introduce myself in person! (This is Heidi from BYU’s Hort major, by the way;) Really cute wreath, too. I now have a million and ONE wreath projects to do 🙂
I saw this wreath on your website and posted a link on facebook. My son, who attends BYU, saw the link so he and his girlfriend made me one. It is so cute (and it looked just like the picture). He showed it to me when we Skyped last night. It was a nice surprise. Your kids will do sweet things when they move away from home. He put it in the mail today. Can’t wait to get it!!
I would love this!
Super fun! Love the new layout. 🙂
I didn’t see that you were in SL until after you were done but I ran out and bought your recipe book. Love it! Thanks so much!
this is my 3rd give a way I’ve entered to get your awesome cookbook. Let’s hope the 3rd times the charm!! 😉
I love your blog and all your recipes. I really need your cookbook and would be so thrilled to win one. Thanks for all you share!
I want this cookbook!!!!!!!! 🙂 Please?
I would LOVE to win your cookbook!
I just saw your cookbook for sale and totally want one! Pleassseeee….
Great idea, Thanks!!
Love your new look & you blog its my favorite!
I would LOVE one of your fabulous cookbooks! You web site is one of my favorites to check out when I want to make something wonderful.
I would love to win a cookbook! I love your site.