4th of July Wreath

We normally don't decorate for Independence Day.
Yes, I feel a bit guilty about not flying the red, white and blue.

But I have been loving all of the amazing decor I've been seeing on

blogland and pinterest.

There was a 5 Below store right next to the restaurant where we were having dinner last night.

Outside was a huge bin of pool noodles marked $1 each.

Didn't I see some cool, pool noodle wreath tutorials?

I can give it a try for $1.

So after dinner, we headed over and I picked up a few noodles and 

some amazing decorative duct tape.

(for my next project)

After reviewing my pins and doing a few google searches,

I put this little number together this afternoon,

 I am really digging it.

And it was so easy to make!

and literally cost me $1!!

(insert happy dance)

What do you need to make your own wreath:

Pool Noodle

Packing Tape

Blue and White paper

Scissors

Hot Glue Gun

Spray Paint - Optional

Ribbon - Optional

I angled the ends of my pool noodle slightly

so it would make a perfect circle.

Once I got the right fit, tape it up.

Even though my pool noodle was red, it looked a bit pink.

I had red spray paint on hand from a old project, so why not bump up the color?

After a few light coats.

(Now it really looks pink in the previous picture.)

Set it out to dry.

Next step is making the rosettes.

I had 3 pieces of paper that I cut in varying sizes.

2 pieces for the long paper and 4 for the shorter.

Fold each paper accordian-style and glue together end to end.

Then glue the two ends together to make a circle.

Here are my different sizes.

Then just push down on the top to make your rosettes.

I put a dab of hot glue in the center to keep the rosettes in place.

Next up is making the origami stars.

It took me at least 3 pieces of paper to get this process down.

I found THIS great step by step video, but I like still pictures too.

So here is my process.

This is a piece of 8.5 X 11 paper cut in half.

Fold the paper onto itself.

Take the lower right corner and bring it up to the top edge of the paper.

Make sure your corners are pointed and form a crease.

Bring it back down.

Take the upper right corner and bring it down to the bottom edge of the paper.

Make sure your corners are pointed and form a crease.

Bring it back up.

You'll now have a creased X on the end of the paper.

Now take the left edge of the paper and bring it to the middle of the X.

Note: your paper will be too long, so look at the bottom of the X and 

start your fold about half and inch from the X.

Bring toward the middle, then cut the paper where the middle of the X overlaps.

It will look like the picture below.

Take the middle point of the paper and fold it back onto itself,

lining up the edge of the paper with the one below.

Take the bottom right edge (red dot) and bring it up so the edge matches the middle fold.

It tried to make this easier with some colors.

So, take the red dot and move it to the blue dot and the edges line up on the red line.

Now, fold the paper behind at the red line.

You will end up with the below.

Only a few more steps! 

You can do it!!

This is where you get to choose the size of your star.

Take your scissors and cut along the red line.

The lower and narrower, the smaller your star will be.

You are left with a tiny triangle.

Just unfold it.

You will see the middle of the star and the legs.

I just played around with the creases to make sure all were the same.

Basically, make the shape below for each leg.

You will be left with a perfect star.

I know it's a ton of pics, but the stars took about 3 minutes each.

That is, once I figured out my folding.

I made 3 for the wreath.

The last part was the fun part.

Placing the rosettes and stars in a fun patter and hot gluing them in place.

Once I was done, I realized I needed to break up the red.

I found some thin white ribbon, hot glued one end and looped it round the wreath.

All Done!

Jaime and Michael thought it was pretty cool.

I have to agree.

XOXO,

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Linking up to these great parties:

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Wednesday - Someday Crafts *Sew Much Ado * Tea Rose Home *A Little Tipsy * The Thrifty Home * Fireflies and Jellybeans * My Girlish Whims * Gingersnap Crafts *  Raegun Wear * The CSI Project* The Stuff of Success * Lil' Luna * The Sasse Life * Fine Craft Guild * Savvy Southern Style * First Home Love Life * Family Home and Life * Adorned From Above

Thursday - Somewhat Simple * The Shabbycreek Cottage * The 36th Avenue * Thrifty 101 * A Creative Princess * House of Hepworths * The Artsy Girl Connection * Katie's Nesting Spot * Between U and Me * A Glimpse Inside * Christina's Adventures * Made in a Day * Adventures in Dinner * Embracing Change * 52 Mantels * The Taylor House * Loving this crazy life * The Crafty Blog Stalker

Friday - Thirty Handmade Days * Romantic Home *Tatertots and Jello* Simply Designing * Creation Corner * Blissful and Domestic * Young and Crafty * Delicate Construction * Happy Hour Projects * Sassy Sites *  Whipperberry * Little Inspiration * Serenity Now * Here Comes The Sun * Tidy Mom * Raising Oranges * Happy Go Lucky * The Grant Life * Toys in the Dryer * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Bacon Time * At the Picket Fence * Miss Mustard Seed * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * My Turn

Saturday - Positively Splendid.com * Be Different Act Normal * Family Ever After *Lovely Crafty Home * Lollyjane * Funky Junk Interiors * Too Much Time On My Hands * Six Sisters Stuff * Country Momma Cooks * Nutmeg Place * Natasha in Oz * Honestly Dyea * Pam's Party Planning

Sunday - The DIY Showoff * Nifty Thrifty Things *Petite Hermine * I Heart Naptime * Flamingo Toes * Cherished Treasures *My 1929 Charmer * Embellishing Life Everyday * Sunday Social * Sassafras Salvation * Heatherly Love  * Under the Table and Dreaming * Randee's Organized Chaos * It's Overflowing