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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Catch a #Cre8time Dream... Designer Crafts Connection Smoothfoam Wreath Challenge

 

Hello friends! I have been dreaming of having some Cre8time revisiting my newest obsession... weaving. Last month some crafty pals and I tried our hands at weaving {click here to see more}, and today I am weaving in the round for the latest Designer Crafts Connection challenge using Smoothfoam™ Ruled WreathsCLICK HERE to hop on over to the Designer Crafts Connection blog to see a ROUNDup of seasonal decor!


For this challenge, Smoothfoam™ generously provided 12" and 14" Ruled Wreaths to let my imagination run wild! These brand new wreaths have molded lines and numbers stamped into the foam to make design and layout simple. 


The wreaths come in five sizes from 8" to 16", are round and will not break like the extruded Styrofoam wreaths.


The Smoothfoam™ Ruled Wreaths make design and layout easy with 12 sections divided with lines and numbers... 12 sections on one side, 10 on the other. NO MEASURING... say what??! As someone who is short on time, taking out the steps of having to measure/divide things out is very exciting!!!


I've always loved dreamcatchers, and these ruled wreaths are the perfect base to try out some weaving in the round. So I gathered up a few supplies from my crafty stash and set off to getting messy painting natural twine. 


I took a 12" wreath outside and quickly sprayed it a light teal blue with Design Master Über Matte spray paints in Mist.


I wrapped the natural paper rafia around the wreathform aligned with the pre-measured sections... easy peasy. This part took the longest to wrap the raffia flat and taught around and around {I got in a nice upper arm workout too}.



I kept wrapping all the way around, leaving a gap at each of the section markings where I will use twine to weave the center webbing.



To secure raffia wrapping, I set with some staples at the back to ensure it doesn't come loose. YEP! This is a NO-GLUE project.




Before moving on, I also tied a knot in a section of twin to fashion a hanger on the back and stapled in place.




I dry-brushed the sections in some earthy, beachy hues with Ranger Distress Paints, adding just enough color and giving a weathered feel.


Now it's time for weaving the magical web in the center. I roughly followed a tutorial by Kat from "We Can Re-do It" HERE. The divided lines in the wreath make it easy to space out wrapping to create a woven pattern. I went around the wreath twice to nicely fill in the webbing.


Since this dreamcatcher has taken on a weathered beachy feel, it is only natural to add a special piece in the center of the weaving... a clear resin cast crowned starfish. I had pulled out so many other beads and baubles to add, though I really like the simplicity of the woven twine.



I fashioned a bow for the top with the same natural paper raffia that wraps wreath form.


The finishing touch is tails added to the bottom fashioned from knotted sari ribbon. So pretty!

Catch a Seaside Dream...


As summer heats up here in South Florida, I'm going to enjoy this touch of the beach I have added to my powder room. The touches of color complement the neutral and white paint and accents... looks like I need some new hand towels to match ;)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! CLICK HERE to hop on over to the Designer Crafts Connection blog for more ideas to deck your walls with Smoothfoam™ Ruled Wreaths! and a chance to win some for yourself!  :) Sb

6 comments:

  1. I love how you painted the raffia! What a great idea.

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  2. Love the relaxing tones of this, and the starfish is amazing. A clever twist making the oversized dream catcher!

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  3. Wow, this is beautiful. I love how you made it.

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  4. Very cool, Susan! I haven't seen raffia in a while. Love how you wove the dream catcher in there!

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  5. Great use of raffia and so creative! I love your 'no glue' project - especially after my mini-fiasco using hot glue with mine.

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  6. Love this dream catcher wreath and a great tutorial Susan! I dream of being at the beach a lot - I think I need to make one of these :)

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