Thursday, September 13, 2012

Team Colors Wreath (Hawkeye Version!)

Welcome back! (I'm not really sure if I'm saying that to everyone reading...or to myself!) I think I have finally come to the realization that I'm not cut out to be one of those big-time bloggers. I just don't have the time, which for me is probably a good thing! So I will no longer fret over the huge gaps between posts :) Anyway....

I have been wanting to make a black & gold wreath for a while. Mainly because:

A) It's Hawkeye football season;

B) It's too early for Halloween decorating;

and 

C) It has definitely been SUMMER until just today! So it's not quite time for a fall wreath.
(Yesterday 91 degrees, today 68!) NO ONE has really been in the "fall" mood just yet!


So here's what I came up with:


It all started with a styrofoam wreath, some bandanas & silk flowers (mums to be exact, there's a little history behind those. More about that later) I had 2 yellow bandanas & 1 patterned. As it turns out, you probably only need one of each color.


I started by tearing a yellow bandana into strips about 2 inches wide:


After hot-gluing down the end, I started wrapping the strips around the wreath


This was to make sure all the white was covered up before doing the second layer



The next layer was more strips with knots tied every few inches. I was looking for a way to add some texture, and I think this did the trick...



Next I made some strips with the polka dot fabric, and wound it through the spaces between the yellow knots:


The last step was adding some yellow silk flowers (mums!)


And the finished wreath...I still feel like it might need something else, so look for an update next week.



And now, if you're still curious, the mums...these are an old Hawkeye football tradition. It's not something you see much anymore, but back in the day, REAL mums with a little black cardboard letter "I" in the middle were all the rage. I remember my dad would get one for my mom every year to wear to the game. Haven't seen them for a while - I'm not even sure the florists sell them anymore. But if Dad is reading this (ok, Mom, you may have to pass on the hint...tell him to go out and get you a mum this year!)

And oh by the way...GO HAWKS!

UPDATE - OCTOBER 6TH:

I did find something to add to the wreath! The "I" was just what I needed for a finishing touch. I actually put it on shortly after this post back in September, but have just now gotten around to adding the picture. Here it is:




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4 comments:

  1. Yes, I remember those flowers. I think they stopped putting the "I" in the middle because it infringed on some kind of U of I copyright. (Actually all anyone would have had to do was turn the little cardboard letter 90 degrees and it was an "H"!!) Maybe I'll have to give Dad a hint this year although, who is sitting with us? Will the mum bother their allergies???

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  2. Very cute! Maybe you could put a small wooden "I" or something, I have seen something like that on Pinterest. :)

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  3. I have added an "I" - just like the old mums used to have. Still need to add another photo. I actually haven't seen these on Pinterest, though! I thought I came up with something original...Rats!

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  4. Cute wreath! I'd love for you to share this and any other crafts at my new linky party, Submarine Sunday. I hope you'll stop by!

    T'onna
    http://navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2012/10/submarine-sunday-1-linky-party_7.html

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