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Make an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20

Have you ever been in a home decor store and fell head over heels in love with a wreath only to gag at the $50 or more price tag? Put your wallet away, because today I want to show you how you can turn an inexpensive wreath into an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20! Who knows, you might already have one of these cheap wreaths and some of the supplies in storage — making your cost almost FREE!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials

Instructions:

Remove anything you don’t want to keep from your store bought wreath.  Fluff out the wreath by bending the branches to make it look larger and more full.

Grab your tree picks and decide where you want to place them on the wreath. Use strong wire cutters to cut off some of the length from the stems.

Curve the main branch of the tree pick so it mimics the curve of the wreath. Push the end of the stem under some of the wreath branches then back up so there is tension to hold the pick in place.  Wrap some wreath branches around the entire pick to hold it firmly and disguise the stem. (If you are using heavier tree picks, you can secure them using floral wire.)

Repeat the process for the other tree picks. Leave a blank space at the top for the ribbon.

Time to add some color! Make a u-shape with some floral wire and push it through the top of an ornament. Place the ornament on the wreath. Wrap the floral wire around the wreath, twist the wire to secure from the backside of the wreath.

Evenly space the remaining ornaments, then attach with florist wire.

To complete the wreath, take a length of ribbon and loop it around the top of the wreath. You can tie a bow if that is your preference, but I prefer the simple look this year.

And there you have it! An elegant holiday wreath for less than $20 made in just a few minutes.

Here’s the video tutorial showing you how incredibly easy this Elegant Holiday Wreath was to make:

Display your new beautiful wreath on your front door for the entire holiday season!

The great thing about this wreath is you can customize it to any design style or color scheme. Plus, you can change it up each year!

Pin this image and remember: Never spend more than $20 on an Elegant Wreath again!

elegant holiday wreath for less than 20 - pinterest image

Other posts I know you’ll like:

5 Steps for Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

5 Steps for Beautiful Holiday Wreaths

 

Rosemary Wreath, Juniper Garland Tutorial

DIY Rosemary Wreath & Juniper Garland | Pretty Handy Girl

 

12 Great Upcycled Ideas for Holiday Decor

12 Upcycled Holiday Decor Ideas

Hostess gift ideas pinterest image

Hostess Gift Ideas social media image16 Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas

Holiday festivities are about to begin, and you don’t want to arrive to those parties empty-handed! Thank your hostess by bringing a thoughtful and personal gift that is sure to put a smile on his or her face. Here is a collection of Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas!

YEAR-ROUND IDEAS

Hostess Gift Ideas - Personalized Wood Slice Coasters

Give your hostess something unique like these Personalized Wood Slice Coasters.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Gift Tray Box

Add wine or a few small items to this DIY Gift Tray Box for a sweet thoughtful gift.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Gold and Marble Coasters

These Gold and Marble Coasters would make a sleek gift for your next dinner party hostess.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas Washi Tape Vase

Add some flowers to a Simple Washi Tape Vase for a beautiful gift at the next party.

 

Hostess gift ideas Drift wood Gift CrateBuild a Driftwood Gift Crate and fill it with some items as a kind gesture.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Block Print Stamped Tea TowelDoes your hostess love to work in the kitchen? Make some custom Block Print Stamped Tea Towels.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Eat Your Veggies Cloth Napkin Gift SetThis “Eat Your Veggies” cloth napkin set is sure to be the perfect gift for the hostess with a good sense of humor.

 

Hostess Gift IdeasFor a hostess who loves gold touches in her home decor, these Tissue Paper Candles would be a perfect thank you.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Cutting BoardHow about a custom DIY Cutting Board for your next hostess gift? Useful and beautifully crafted.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Faux cross stitch Tea TowelImpress your host with this adorable Faux Cross-stitch Tea Towel that is sure to make a lasting impression.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - rustic cake standDoes your hostess love to bake? Make this amazing Rustic Cake Stand!

HOLIDAY IDEAS

Hostess Gift Ideas - DIY Snowflake Christmas Trivets

These Snowflake Christmas Trivets would be the perfect gift to keep the table festive and protected.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Paper Bag Ornaments

A Paper Bag Ornament would be a sweet holiday gift for their tree.

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Hot Cocoa Mix in a JarMake your dear friend some Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar as a thank you for their next holiday gathering.

 

Hostess Gift IdeasAdd some fun items to this Customized Gift Paint Can for a unique and fun gift! (This would also make a fabulous housewarming gift.)

 

Hostess Gift Ideas - Chalkboard Paint MugsAn adorable set of Chalkboard Painted Mugs would make the perfect gift for a holiday hostess.

I hope this post gave you some great ideas for gifts that you can give to show appreciation for your hostess! We all know how much work goes into a party or gathering. Giving thoughtful gifts is a sure way to keep the invites coming!

If you like this roundup, please Pin this image:

Hostess gift ideas pinterest image

 

Here are some other posts you might like:

Holiday Decor Ideas12 Great Upcycled Ideas for Holiday Decor

 

Creative gift wrap ideas21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

 

35 upcycled gift ideas35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

8. Complete with "L" brackets on corners. Add gifts and deliver!

DIY Sheet Metal Gift TraysDIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays

The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving ideas! Gift trays are a great way deliver gifts to your friends, neighbors or teachers. The best part of a gift tray is it can be reused for anything they want and nothing goes to waste! Follow along with this tutorial to see how to make these DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials: Sheet Metal Gift Tray

  • 1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood scrap wood
  • 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000W49NPC’ text=’Sheet metal scrap’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4f103892-cbe2-11e7-a00c-3fda84932599′] (large enough to cover plywood base)
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00009OYFY’ text=’Sheet metal snips’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’56db011a-cbe2-11e7-88c9-230adf5bdb2c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000S7ZSTS’ text=’Construction adhesive’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’65c9549d-cbe2-11e7-8619-39ed35fc6585′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000DZF2Q4′ text=’Caulk gun’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6d3fe28c-cbe2-11e7-bb25-e144f3be5a89′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00125NQBC’ text=’Sandpaper’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7f0ff979-cbe2-11e7-b34f-fb2f071c5869′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001JYVDSE’ text=’Steel wool’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e654c5e-cbe2-11e7-b495-0ffc93a9294c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I7DNOYA’ text=’Gloves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b09e21ba-cbe2-11e7-91af-d908a698cd02′]
  • Drill
  • Pencil or Marker
  • 4 – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N6NID4X’ text=’L brackets’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’de9d5670-cbe2-11e7-84b2-2f143e838863′] and 1/2″ wood screws
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001PNH8D8′ text=’Brad nails ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0337c2d4-cbe3-11e7-b1d7-3dfa06c67bf1′]Nail gun

Instructions:

Cut your piece of plywood to the desired size for the tray base. Lay the plywood base on top of the sheet metal and trace with a permanent marker. Use tin snips to cut the metal to size.

1. Cut base and mark sheet metal size.

Put on your safety gloves and use the sanding block to remove some of the shine from the sheet metal. Smooth over any sharp edges.

2. Sand Sheet metal edges and base.

Rub the steel wool over the entire sheet metal piece to give it a soft polished finish.

4. Use steel wool to dull sheet metal surface.

Load a tube of construction adhesive into your caulk gun. Apply a fair amount of adhesive to the plywood. Glue the sheet metal to the top of the plywood.

5. Add Construction Adhesive to wood base

Press the sheet metal down evenly on top of the adhesive. Wipe off any excess if needed with a paper towel.

6. Press sheet metal on top of wood base.

Cut the 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding to the length of the two shorter sides. Next, measure and cut two pieces of lathe for the long ends. (Be sure to allow extra length to overlap the short pieces of lathe/moulding.  Use the construction adhesive and brads to secure the lathe to the sides of the plywood. Clamp the sides until the adhesive cures.

8. Clamp sides while glue cures.

Once the adhesive is cured, remove your clamps. Attach the L brackets on the lower half of each corner using 1/2″ wood screws. The L brackets will reinforce the sides and add an industrial look.

9. Add corner brackets for extra support and decoration.

There you have it! These DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays are easy to make, look great, and are an extra special and environmentally-friendly way to give gifts!

10. Add gifts and deliver!

I hope you love this project. Do you have other ideas for quick gift giving? Please share!

Want some more gift giving inspiration?

DIY Scrap Moulding Trays

scrap-moulding-trays

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate | Pretty Handy Girl

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Learn how to make a modern DIY cat scratcher post!

Hello everyone, it’s Brittany again from by Brittany Goldwyn, and this month I’m back to share another pet DIY. Last month I shared a tutorial on how to make a raised pet feeder—this month I’m sharing a tutorial for a simple and modern cat scratcher! Yes, I do love my babies. 🙂

This DIY is simple. I tried to keep the tools and steps to a minimum. This would be a nice alternative to the more complicated tree branch cat tree tutorial I created a few years ago. This one can be knocked out in a few hours (including the time it took the paint to dry.)

Want to make a Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post for your kitty? Read on!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut the base piece. 

If you’re pulling from your scrap wood pile, find a piece that is large enough to make a stable base. (This one is 14″ x 14″, but something as small as 12″ x 12″ would probably be fine.) If you’re using a new piece of plywood, you can purchase a 2′ x 2′ piece of 3/4″ birch plywood at Lowe’s for about $10. They can help you cut it down to your desired size in store for free.

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

(Note: 1/4″ or 1/2″ plywood will work. However, the added weight of the 3/4″ plywood will help stabilize the base while your kitty is getting some scratches in.)

Step 2: Cut the scratcher piece.

If you’re purchasing a 2″ wooden dowel from a big-box hardware store, it will probably come in a 48″ length. You can have the cutting station cut it in half for you.

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Step 3: Polish and paint the base.

Grab your sandpaper or orbital sander and sand the edges. To customize the piece, you can use painter’s tape and craft paint to paint a design onto the base. (This step is optional but gives a nice personalized touch to the scratcher, plus you can customize it to match your decor. I used DecoArt Americana Decor Satin Enamels in Classic Black and Metallics in Antique Bronze.)

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Step 4: Start the scratching post.

While the base is drying, grab your jute or sisal, adhesive, and staple gun.

Put on disposable gloves and slather adhesive on the post where the rope will go. This is messy, but it’s the easiest way to ensure your rope remains firmly adhered to the post. Staple the end of the rope onto your post, making sure it is stapled over an area that has glue.

Begin wrapping the rope tightly around the post. stop every 30 seconds or so to ensure you’re not creating any gaps. Add an additional staple halfway through if you need to take a break.

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Step 5: Finish the scratching post.

Add additional glue and continue wrapping until you’ve created your scratching post. You can wrap the entire post or just a portion of it as shown below. Secure the rope in place by stapling the end to the post.

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Once the glue has dried completely, use pliers to remove the staples. (You don’t want kitty’s claws getting caught on one.) If the ends pop up simply add a dab and re-glue.

Step 6: Attach the post to the base.

Dab adhesive on the bottom of the post. You want to use enough to ensure the entire base is covered, but don’t use so much that it will seep out when you press the post onto the base. Press the post into the center of the base and let dry. If possible, add a book or something else to the top of the post to apply pressure.

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

Once the glue has dried completely, let your kitty check out the new digs and get to work tearing it apart!

Modern DIY Cat Scratcher Post

I tried to get a photo of my girl using the scratcher, but every time I pulled out my camera she stopped. I even tried to bribe them with catnip…but this is the closest I got to a good photo.

If you like this project, you’ll love these pet projects:

Learn how to make a wooden raised pet feeder.

DIY Pet Feeder

Cat Tree using real branches

DIY Cat Tree Using Real Branches

Ikea Cat Condo Hack

Easy DIY Ikea Hack Cat Condo

DIY felt cat toys

Easy Felt DIY Cat Toys & Petcube Camera Review

~ Read More of Brittany Goldwyn’s Tutorials ~

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Learn how to make a wooden raised pet feeder.

Hello Pretty Handy Girl readers! It’s Brittany from by Brittany Goldwyn popping in today to share a pretty simple woodworking project for you: a raised pet feeder!

I made a pet feeder around this time last year. However—without thinking—I made it with spots for two bowls: one for each of our kitties. A few months ago, we noticed that Blanche wouldn’t eat her food until Henry had finished, but it was clear she was hungry because she’d scarf her food down when Henry was finally done. We got into the habit of taking one bowl out and putting it on the counter so that they could eat at the same time.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

See? Food hog hogging all the food.

This solution was problematic for three reasons:

  1. I don’t want to encourage them to get on the counters, even though they are cats and they are going to do whatever they want.
  2. Blanche sometimes pushes her bowl off the counter by accident and spills her food everywhere.
  3. They weren’t even using the double feeder for its intended purpose.

Back to the drawing board! I decided to replicate the tutorial for a smaller, single-bowl raised feeder for each of them. We’ll separate them and hope all goes well at feeding time.

Want to make one for your pet? Read on.

Note: This tutorial is based on a bowl with a circumference of 4 3/8. If your bowl is larger or smaller, you’ll need to adjust the measurement for your hole size accordingly.
Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Tools:

Cut list:

  • (1) 8-inch piece of 1″ x 6″
  • (2) 1 ½ inch pieces of 1″ x 6″

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut your pieces according to the cut list above. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the center point on the 8-inch piece of wood. Clamp the wood to your work surface.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Step 2: Use your drill and 4-inch hole saw attachment to drill a hole.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Step 3: Use medium-grit sandpaper to sand down any rough areas on the main piece and two leg pieces. You can also gently smooth over the edges to give the piece a sleek look.

The leg on the left below has been sanded, the one on the right has not. See the difference?

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Step 4: Spread wood glue onto the top of each leg. Gently place the top down onto the legs.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Step 5: Apply pressure from above with clamps or something heavy you have on hand. The key is to apply even pressure as the wood glue dries. (I used a weight from the garage gym!) If some of your glue bleeds out, don’t worry. You can use medium-grit sandpaper to sand down those areas. If you don’t sand off the dried glue, the area will not take a wood stain.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

Step 6: Your single bowl raised pet feeder is built! Stain and finish according to your preferences.

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

(My raised feeder was finished with Minwax wood stain in Espresso and two coats of Minwax polyurethane in semigloss. For tips on staining and finishing wood, see this post!)

Once the feeder has dried completely, pop your bowls in and fill them with food. These bowls fit perfectly because their circumference is slightly bigger than 4 inches, meaning they won’t fall through the 4-inch hole. Best of all, Blanche and Henry can happily eat at the same time. 🙂

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

DIY Wooden Raised Pet Feeder

I’ll see you next month on Pretty Handy Girl! In the meantime, if you love your pets, check out my DIY cat tree using real branches, my Ikea cat condo hack, and my Petcube camera review!

Also make sure to check out the industrial dog bowl feeder stand and the vintage coca cola bowl feeder tutorials on Pretty Handy Girl!