Deco-Mesh Cross Wreath

Deco-Mesh wreaths seem to be really popular now.  This past Easter I used deco-mesh to make a 'Cross Wreath' for mom.


I started with a basic wooden cross as the frame for the wreath.  You will need some pipe cleaners or something to secure the mesh to the wooden frame since it does not come with ties already attached.

Start by using your pipe cleaner to secure the mesh to the bottom of the cross.  I used matching color pipe cleaners so they would blend in with the mesh.

I worked my way up the cross gathering the mesh and securing it with the pipe cleaners.  Make sure you try to use the SAME LENGTH of mesh for each 'poof' and secure it to the frame in EQUALLY spaced sections.  If you don't keep things even there is a tendency for the mesh to look 'lop sided' and uneven.

Once I finished working my way up the cross I started with the left and using the same technique mentioned above I worked my way across to the right side of the frame.  In this picture I'm almost finished.

After the mesh was evenly secured to the cross frame I worked in a few flowers mother had on hand. Plain deco-mesh can look a bit boring, especially if it is a solid color.

I worked the flowers in to the deco-mesh and tucked them in amongst the 'poofs' just to add some color and depth to the wreath.

And here's the finished product... I would have preferred some different colored flowers but there are times when you use what you have because it's easier and way more affordable... and this was the case with the deco-mesh cross wreath.. at any rate... colors and flowers can easily be changed!  I hope you enjoyed the tutorial on how to make a deco-mesh cross wreath.

Deco Mesh Christmas Wreath

I have decided (yet again) to make another deco mesh wreath for the upcoming Christmas season.  For this project I started with a standard work wreath "pencil frame" which I ordered from www.trendytree.com.  The reason I opted for this wreath frame is because it comes with ties which are already attached to the wreath frame.

1)   I'm sure you can tell fro the picture below, I straightened out all of the ties on the wreath frame before I began working on the wreath.

2)  Start by using a 21 inch 10 yd. roll of deco mesh and gather the WIDTH of the roll together in your hand like the picture below.

3) Secure the gathered mesh down to the wreath frame by using a tie to tie down the mesh.  It doesn't matter weather you start with the TOP outer loop of the wreath frame or the BOTTOM.  The important thing is to just pick either top or bottom to begin with and continue tying down your deco-mesh until ALL of your ties (top or bottom) whichever you began with have been tied up with the deco mesh.

4) The next most important thing is that between EACH tie down you need the SAME AMOUNT of deco mesh.  I used a yard stick and measured 14 inches between EACH and EVERY tie down.  This method helps ensure even, consistent 'poofs' which you will want for your wreath.  If you prefer a smaller wreath you may want to measure out a SMALLER amount, or if you prefer a LARGER wreath, measure 14 inches or more…. just remember, no matter what size you choose to go with… make the measurements between each tie down the SAME for a consistent and even look.

5)  Once you have finished securing the deco mesh to the wreath frame you may see your results and feel a bit disappointed… however, DON'T be! … making a deco mesh wreath is a PROCESS that you have to stick with until you are finished.  the picture below shows a good 'rough draft' of what my wreath looked like once I was finished tying down all of the deco mesh.

6)  The next step was to choose other deco mesh, ribbons, bows, etc… to embellish the wreath.  I chose a 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  I started by tying down this deco mesh beginning with the same tie I used with the red deco mesh.  …. All you need to do is just untwist it a bit and then tie in your 6 inch roll of deco mesh.  Measure the same amount as before  --- 14 inches and work your way around the wreath tying in the 6 inch decorative mesh.

7) Ok, so…. here we are once I've finished tying in the 6 inch roll of decorative mesh around the wreath.  I still plan to add a few more embellishments to the wreath.

8)  The next step is to add the ribbon I chose for the wreath.  Again, I measured out the same amount as deco mesh and decorative deco mesh (14 inches) and cut numerous pieces of ribbon in that length.

9)  Because I knew I wanted to chevron the ends of my ribbon… I folded it in half like the picture below.

10)  Using a pair or scissors I cut each end at an angle in order to make the 'chevron pattern' for the ends of each ribbon.

11)  This is the second ribbon I opted to use for the wreath.  I measured out numerous pieces of ribbon (each 14 inches of length like the mesh).  I folded the ribbons in half and using a pair of scissors I cut each end at an able to 'chevron' the ends.

12)  I secured the ribbons to the same ties I used to secure the deco mesh, just untying and then tying the ribbons back into the wreath.  The picture below shows what the results were.

13)  Afterwards, I adjusted the ribbons, mesh, and other decorations to try and 'even out' the decorations on the wreath…. although I'm pretty sure there isn't much difference between the wreath below and the one above.

In the picture below I opted to add various other embellishments although I'm not sure you can see them too well.  The picture just isn't justice compared to the actual wreath …. if you look close you can see various other embellishments which I fastened down to the wreath frame.

Candy Cane Deco Mesh Wreath

If you prefer the wreath without all of the embellishments you can leave it plain like the picture below or maybe just add a bow for a pop of color.

I have seen tons of deco mesh wreaths… which, by the way, I LOVE to see!  It's just something about it! It's durable, pretty, stylish and looks good either indoors or outdoors!  At any rate, I found myself drawn to making one of those candy cane deco-mesh wreaths.  If you've ever wondered how to make one of those candy cane deco mesh wreaths you're not exactly alone!  I've been trying to figure that out for quite some time now! lol..

  Well…. the results… I have to say... this was WAY easier than making a traditional deco-mesh wreath!!  And it looks great for the holiday season!.

Supplies:

1- candy cane wreath form (I ordered mine on-line from www.trendytree.com)

1- 21" inch 10yd. roll of deco mesh of your choice (for this project… I chose the red\white stripe)  Also… you can get this at www.trendytree.com as well.

Various decorations, ribbons, etc… that you would like to use as embellishments for your wreath

Gather the ends of your deco-mesh together like the picture above.

Fold the end upon itself like the picture above so you done have the frayed ends sticking out at the bottom of your deco mesh wreath.

 Tie the folded end of your deco-mesh down to the lower right corner of the wreath frame.

Once you have the lower right end tied down…. move up to the next tie down ON THE SAME SIDE… I used about a 9 inch length of deco mesh before I decided my "poof" was big enough to make  it look full.

After you have tied your deco-mesh down to the right side of the frame… you will need to bend the deco-mesh back down to the left tie down (the first tie down on the lower left bottom) on the wreath frame.

Continue from the left tie-down and move the deco-mesh back to the right side tie-down (keeping your 9 inches of length the same between each tie) and use it to tie down/secure the deco mesh to the right side.  Work you way from left to right following this fashion.

Once you finish securing all of the deco-mesh it may look something like the picture above (or most likely it will look way better!, lol)…. at any rate, you can see some of the tie downs are still obviously visible from the front.  You will need to take them and twist them around towards the back of the wreath frame.

This picture shows a view from the back AFTER all of the ties have been twisted around towards the back of the wreath.

This is another view from the front with most of the ties hidden behind the wreath frame.  At his point, you can add embellishments, bows, ribbons and other decorations to your wreath.  I hope this was helpful!!

Deco Mesh Candle Ring

Occasionally I decide that making a candle ring is a great idea for my next crafting project.  This seems simple enough but actually making and crafting the candle ring requires patience  …. The good thing is, …. you don't even need skill or talent to make one!!

This is how I began with mine.

Start with the candle you plan to make a candle ring with.  Use floral wire  and measure the amount you need to circle around the entire candle.

This circle of floral wire shows the measurement for the candle I plan to use… I did make it a tad bit bigger than my candle but that's because I wanted to make sure I had plenty of space for adding my decorations.

The next thing you do is add the deco-mesh of your choice in equal portions to the floral wire.  You can tell from the picture above there are five sections which are tied to the floral wire with matching pipe cleaners.

With each "tied down section" add a decoration or decorative item.  Remember… the deco mesh is meant to serve as a 'backdrop' to the decorations so it doesn't have to be perfect.

The picture here shows how I fastened the decorative items to the floral wire.  I just wrapped the stem of my flowers around the candle ring.

You will probably be able to see where the flowers are tied down when there is no candle in the ring… This doesn't bother me but if you prefer not to see where your decorative items are tied to the candle ring you might want to use hot-glue to attach the decorative items.

I call this one a "War Eagle Christmas" …. although I am not an Auburn fan my dear friend is.. so this is for her.

This picture is a vertical view of the candle ring.

And this one…. is the candle ring with a candle inside.

This is probably my favorite candle ring… I call this one a "Roll Tide Christmas" …. I love the white flowers…. and if you look CLOSELY you can see a little red bow next to the white flower.

Now you can see the little red bow!

I placed the candle ring on a zebra-striped charger… which gives it a really nice punch of color.

Deco-Mesh Christmas Tree

This craft project was quite a labor of love from my neighbor!  She spent a good bit of time trying to figure out exactly HOW you can make a Christmas Tree using deco-mesh.

You start with a tomato cage and a set of Christmas lights.  Beverly used standard Christmas lights but I suppose if you are in the mood to get really creative you can experiment with the lights you want to use.

You start with a tomato cage that has a tapered end like the one in this picture.

You will want to "flip it over" so the top rounded portion is now the bottom.

Afterwards, take a strand your Christmas lights and create 3 more columns, tying them to the circles with pipe cleaners…
So, there should be 3 circles, and 6 columns when you add the Christmas lights.









This picture shows the strand of Christmas lights INSIDE the tomato cage and how you can use pipe-cleaners to attach the lights to the tomato cage.

You can tell from these pictures that the light strands are being used as a column to attach the deco-mesh to with pipe cleaners.  Also, … the tomato cage has been painted red to match the deco-mesh.. you can see 'bits and pieces' of the red tomato cage in the pictures as well.

This picture shows how the deco-mesh is gathered and secured to the column with pipe cleaners.  If you need more information on how to 'gather' and attach deco mesh check out my deco mesh wreath tutorials.

When your done, stick a bow on the top, or a santa hat or perhaps any other tree topper you would like yo add.  also this is a view from the top with the lights on.

Full view of the tree with the lights on.

Or lights out if you prefer!