How to

How-To

COLORFUL HALLOWEEN WREATH

Colorful duct tape is the magic ingredient in this clever DIY Halloween wreath. Just follow the simple instructions to create a unique wreath to greet trick-or-treaters.

Skill Level:: Novice
Time:: 4 hours

Step 1

Cut a 4 ½-foot length of pipe insulation.
Step 2

Connect the ends of the insulation with a piece of duct tape to form a ring.
Step 3

Cut several 2-inch pieces of duct tape. With each piece you will fold down one corner, leaving a sliver of stickiness and then fold over the other corner, which will make a near triangle shaped piece of duct tape.

Starting where you joined the foam insulation, make a row of orange tape triangles around its diameter, using the sticky sliver to secure each piece to the ring. It took us four pieces to go around. Once you are done with that row, add a row of black triangles, slightly below your first. With each row proceed in a counterclockwise direction. Do this all the way around the wreath.
Step 4

Now that you have covered your insulation it's time to make your bow. Cut four 18-inch strips of black duct tape. Stick the strips together in pairs, with a little bit of stickiness exposed. Fold down the exposed stickiness and trim the edges. Now you have two pieces of duct tape "ribbon."
Step 5

Take one of the 18-inch ribbons, and make it a circle, securing it with a small piece of black duct tape. Now take the circle and the other 18-inch ribbon, and squish them in the middle. At this point it should look like a bow. Tape the pieces together with an orange piece of duct tape.
Step 6

Attach your bow to your wreath!
Step 7

Hang the wreath on your front door in a prominent spot for your Halloween party.

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How to

How-To

WOODEN SUNBURST WREATH

With a few simple materials, you can build a bold and beautiful wreath bursting with warmth. Just follow these step-by-step instructions.

Skill Level:: Intermediate
Time:: 24 hours, including drying time

Step 1

Cut 3 inches off 24 of the shims. Cut 6 inches off 12 of the shims (cut them in half, in other words). This will leave you with a total of 24 shims in each of three lengths: 12 inches, 9 inches and 6 inches.
Step 2

Cut the plywood into a 16-inch circle. (Look in the cull lumber bin at The Home Depot for a small piece of plywood.)
Step 3

Glue the shims onto the plywood circle. Start with the 12-inch shims. Place them evenly around the circle, and take care that each shim extends beyond the circle the same distance. Next, glue on the 9-inch shims, and then the 6-inch shims. Let the glue set.
Step 4

Spray the entire piece with polyurethane. Let dry completely.
Step 5

Glue the mirror to the center of the wreath.
Step 6

Attach a picture hanger to the back.
Step 7

Display your wreath on your front door, or in your family room or back porch.

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How to

How-To

GARDEN HOSE WREATH

This fun project turns ordinary gardening tools into a fun year-round wreath guaranteed to delight and inspire any gardener.

Skill Level:: Novice
Time:: 2-3 hours

Step 1

Coil your garden hose to the size that you would like your wreath to be. This is going to be the base of your wreath.
Step 2

Secure the hose with cable ties.
Step 3

Decide where you would like each ornament on your wreath. Imagine the circle of hose is a clock face, and place the larger items-the trowel, cultivator and gloves-at approximately 12 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. The terra-cotta pots should be placed at more-or-less opposite ends of the circle. Fill in the spaces with smaller items, such as seed envelopes, plastic flowers, plant tags or anything else that means "gardening" to you.
Step 4

Tie each item onto the hose with twine. Take care to secure the heavier items with extra twine. You might even want to add a cable tie for extra strength, and cover it with twine.
Step 5

Hang your Garden Hose Wreath on your front door, above your potting table, or anywhere else you want to proclaim your love of gardening.

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How to

How-To

PRETTY HIDE-AND-SEEK WREATH

The materials are simple - just PVC pipe, glue and a piece of chain - but the end result is breathtaking. Just follow these six steps. When your wreath is finished, place small items or ornaments in the circles to celebrate the changing seasons or special occasions.

Skill Level:: Advanced
Time:: 24 to 48 hours, allowing for glue and paint drying time

Step 1

Using a mitre saw, cut all PVC pipes into lengths of approximately 5 3/4 inches.
Step 2

Arrange the pieces around a round object that is approximately 6 inches in diameter. A roll of duct tape would work, as would a 6 inch bowl. Arrange the pieces with the different sizes of pieces evenly distributed. The only requirement is that you place 2-inch pieces where the chain will eventually go. That would be at approximately the 10 o'clock position and the 2 o'clock position on the wreath.
Step 3

Once you have the pieces arranged, use a pencil to mark the locations where each piece comes in contact with another piece. This will help you apply the glue in the right place. Glue one piece at a time until you have all of them glued together.
Step 4

Drill a hole in both of the pieces that will hold the chain. The holes should be the appropriate size to fit the screw threads of the two drawer knobs.
Step 5

Use the two drawer knobs to attach the two ends of the chain to the wreath.
Step 6

Spray paint your wreath. We used Rust-Oleum Universal Paint & Primer in One, in Champagne Mist color.
Step 7

Hang your new wreath on your door, in the family room, or anywhere you'd like to add a bit of festive charm.

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How to

How-To

LIVING SUCCULENT WREATH

Turn a succulent garden into a unique natural wreath. Just follow these step-by-step instructions.

Skill Level:: Novice
Time:: 2 hours

Step 1

Rehydrate the sphagnum moss by soaking it in warm water for about 20 minutes. Sensitive individuals may want to use a particulate respirator or dust mask when working with dry sphagnum moss.
Step 2

Place the wire wreath frame in the plastic planter saucer to keep your work area clean. Wearing gloves, tightly squeeze out the moisture from the moss before generously molding it into the wreath frame.
Step 3

Wrap the moss in place using garden training wire.
Step 4

Insert scissors into the moss to create an opening for each succulent.
Step 5

Roll the roots and soil together then insert a plant into each opening. You might want to unbend some paper clips and use them to help secure each plant in place.
Step 6

Water the wreath by misting or spraying with a water bottle until moist. If the wreath will be staying in the plastic planter saucer, simply add water to the saucer and allow it to be absorbed. Hang the wreath in a bright location - some morning sun is preferred, but afternoon sun may be too intense for your wreath. Water the wreath by heavy misting from the back when the moss looks dry.

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How to

How-To

WIRE WREATH

The leaves and berries give this wreath a familiar, organic feel. The wire makes this wreath fun and unique. Just follow these simple instructions for your own wire wreath.

Skill Level:: Novice
Time:: 3 hours

Step 1

Make the body of the wreath using 1/4-inch plywood. Cut a circle 12 inches in diameter. Then, cut an inner circle that is 6 inches in diameter. Spray paint the wooden ring.
Step 2

Run the 14 gauge wire in and around the entire wooden ring. You can space wire as wide or tight as you like.
Step 3

Thread the 5-foot strip of burlap with your 4-foot piece of wire.
Step 4

Creating small loops, place the wire on the back side of the wreath and secure every few inches with a heavy duty stapler.
Step 5

Take a piece of the 7 1/2-inch wire and create three large loops. Wrap the excess wire around the base of the three loops to secure the looped section. Secure the end of the looped section on the back of the wood ring with the stapler. Continue to do the same with the remaining 7 1/2-inch wire pieces, adding looped sections of wire around the face of the wreath.
Step 6

Accessorize the front of the wreath with leaves that have been spray painted. Attach them by wedging between the wire that is wrapped around the wooden ring.
Step 7

Add holiday picks to the wreath as you did the leaves. Finally, use a glue gun to secure the decorations permanently.
Step 8

Display your unique new wreath on your front door.

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OUR SPIN ON THE PIN. a wreath for ANY OCCASION

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