So you may or may not have noticed that Sara does all the little crafty tutorials on our blog. That is because I am not crafty. When I was little, I took sewing classes and the teacher told me I was literally the first person she’d ever taught that “failed” the first day. Crafts are messy. They take a long time. They require some kind of spatial understanding that I don’t seem to possess. For me, they almost always end in sadness and regret.
However…if a craft is cheap and easy enough (quiet, all of you who snickering dirtily right now), I can be convinced, even excited, to be crafty.
I saw this wreath on my friend Liz’s blog, who found it on her friend Lindsay’s blog, who, incidentally, posted about our balloon wreath in the same post! Small world, right? Anyway, I would (and still will if you ladies want–just email me!) link to their blogs, but they are their family blogs and I don’t want to invade their private space if they don’t want us to and it was too late to email them. But here are some pictures of their amazingly adorable creations:
Believe me, if it can inspire me to want to not only buy the vilest Easter candy on earth, but to make a craft with it, it’s gotta be somethin’.
In case you haven’t guessed it, those little colorful things are Peeps. As in sugar-covered marshmallows. Even my kids thought they were disgusting (albeit adorable). Ladies (and a few gentlemen), I give you the very first Our Best Bites Peep Show:
Ooh la-la!
Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.
Any-who. For this super easy craft, you’ll need…
-Peeps (I REALLY wanted the bunnies, but they cost more at my friendly neighborhood Walmart and didn’t come in as many colors). Unless you’re getting a tiny wreath, I would plan on at least 6 packages (each package has 3 boxes).
-A straw wreath (I got a big one because I figured hey, the bigger the better, right? Wrong. Don’t follow my foolish, foolish ways).
-Toothpicks and/or hot glue. Your call. I ended up using both when things started going badly I decided to be safe rather than sorry.
-A wide ribbon for wrapping the wreath (optional, but it really did help minimize the mess. Unless I wasn’t supposed to unwrap the wreath from the cellophane, something everyone probably knows and I will henceforth be mocked for my lack of crafty knowledge).
-An hour. Dead serious. In fact, I made this wreath while these rolls were rising and baking and we only had a few minor disasters.
-Some baby wipes or wet washcloths are not the worst idea in the world. Believe it or not, sugar-encrusted marshmallow barnyard babies are super sticky.
I started by wrapping the wreath in what has turned out to be the everlasting spool of ribbon–seriously, I bought this at Costco during the 2002 Olympics.
I secured it with toothpicks because hey, they were there.
Then all you need to do is stick your Peeps onto your wreath however you want. I started by impaling a Peep with a toothpick
and then sticking it where I wanted. Once I got a better feel for how deep the toothpicks needed to be and how far they needed to be spaced, I stuck the toothpicks directly into the wreath and then popped the Peeps onto the toothpicks.
I actually really love how Liz and Lindsay did lots and LOTS of peeps all over the place. I, however, bought too big of a wreath and too few peeps, so we had to spread the love a little.
When you have your Peeps where you want them, add a ribbon or a bow and then hang it up! Mine will not be going outside because I’m pretty sure it will attract every insect in the state of Louisiana, but it looks super cute on the door in my dining room!
I’m fairly certain that if I made this wreath… it would slowly get eaten… by my husband. I’m half tempted to make one for my aunt as an “edible gift” (like the fruit flower arrangements?) lol she likes peep’s even stale! I, on the other hand, MAY have eaten one once. I’m assuming I tried one, since I believe I don’t like them… but I may have just DECIDED one day they were gross. Either way – it’s super cute!
I actually like yours better with fewer peeps. Way to go, Kate! I’m so not crafty either… But I need something to replace my Valentine’s wreath that is still hanging on my front door…. 🙂
Peep show! I love you! This wreath is so cute! My kids love peeps! I have no doubt that a wreath like this would be completely empty by the end of the day!
I laughed really loud when I read the “peep show” line–and everyone in the office looked at me. Haha.
So cute.
Thank goodness. I thought I was the only one that thought peeps were gross.
Kate- thanks for the very funny post. If the cookbook thing doesn’t work out for you, consider becoming a stand-up comic. Unless you hate standing up for long periods of time.
A Peep wreath for your peeps- so cute. I think Sara is right, you are a closet-crafter.
I love this wreath…though my husband and son would eat it to pieces. I checked out the balloon post too (since I am a new follower) and LOVED that one. I am doing that today! I just have to mention that Sara does say in the ballon post that you keep the plastic on the wreath…but whos reading right? 😉
OMGosh..I can’t wait to make this wreath. I love those little peeps! Thank you for sharing this darling, happy and fun project.
i live in setx! ditto with the bugs! not to mention the overwhelming humidity would make any food item sweat then melt. id probably have brightly colored peeps pooled on my doorstep ! however, cute idea and definitely and inside work of art!
LOVE IT!!! i am going to make the wreath this weekend with my 4 1/2 year old nephew. (just with toothpicks)
These look amazing ! unfortunately you don’t get peeps or straw wreaths in the UAE, still figuring out how i should decorate for easter !!
That is so darling! I am afraid to make that living in the North West with all the rain and moisture we have. I for see a sticky mess. But I just might do it anyway. We shall see!
Do you have any problem with sugar coming off of the wreath when it is hanging up? Has anyone tried one or more of the ideas of spraying it with something?
Finally a useful purpose for Peeps!! So cute!!
Oh and Peeps are lame…to eat;)
Kate, just watch out for the big roaches and ants that will come INSIDE your house for a tasty treat…maybe spray it with clear varnish?
You are probably the only other person I have ever heard express their disane for peeps! I hate them an everyone thinks I am insane!! Thank you!
so incredibly cute…hate peeps. Don’t worry about bugs, I think they are smart enough to know peeps will kill them if they eat that kind of garbage. ha ha sorry to all of you who love peeps. I’m making this tonight…late night run to WalMart!
Just bought your cookbook on Amazon! Can’t wait to get it!! Love all the pics. I seriously can’t make something unless I know what it is suppose to look like! Thanks!!
We buy peeps when they go on sale after easter and put them with our camping gear…Way better to roast then marshmellows. The sugar carmelizes on the outside and it’s ooey gooey marshmellow on the inside and they do grow…my sister claims the eyeballs pop off.. but I never noticed.
I read this and my jaw just dropped thinking of the brilliance in this. Thank you
This blog and the comments are making me LOL after a totally crappy day at work. What a great use for Peeps! The wreath is adorable!
Totally cute. I have done this same thing at Christmas with gumdrops. My Walmart had smaller boxes of Peeps than yours, omly 2 boxes in a package, so 10 chicks per pack, but the bunnies have 12. I wish I could see a picture of the wreath made with bunnies so I could decide which to use! Oh well. I am going to make it tomorrow. I also wonder about spraying it with something since I live in the humid, buggy South also!
Peeps are gross…but they look awesome on this wreath. Soooooo very cute!
Ok.. the only problem with this is the glue! No glue on my peeps! Cuz I would seriously eat these every time I passed it!
I loved everything about this post except your slander against one of my most favorite treats! 🙂 I’m going to have to make this!
That is terrible cute! But I know if that got my house my sibilings would eat the peeps!!!!
Enjoyed your “peep show”. <3 The colors are great!!!
What size wreath did you use?
Tara, why do you ask me questions like this?! 🙂 No, it’s the biggest reasonable size they had at Hobby Lobby–not so big that you’d be like, “WOW, that wreath is huge, but I would have gone at least 1 size smaller.”
I was watching a show the other day (don’t remember which, but it was probably Unwrapped on the Food Network) and they were at the Peeps factory. They actually have a guy who makes art out of Peeps. I think he used acrylic spray to keep them fresh.
This is THE CUTEST!!
stumbled it!!
A bunch of my lady friends and I were just talking about peeps last night and we’re pretty split on who loves them and who hates them. I on the other hand love them. Best when you buy them, slice the package open and stick on top of fridge to harden. Or pop into the microwave and watch them expand. I’ll definitly be making this wreath….so cute!!