Valentine's Blitz: Day 12, XO Wreath

I love wreaths.  I just think they're a great way to dress your home up for any holiday and bring a little joy to your neighborhood. It brightens my day to come home and see a cheery display at my front door and I don't believe in decorating your entry way for just the Christmas season. I try to have something bright on my door year round, but I haven't been on my game since Christmas so I decided to do a Valentine's Day wreath. I pulled my inspiration from this Etsy listing http://www.etsy.com/transaction/71291548:

I love her idea and execution. I didn't way to copy her out right and my local craft store didn't carry anything similar to this so I just shopped the sale items until I found a bargain and boy did I! This is a VERY busy month in our household so I don't have a lot of time to invest in this project and we've had several vet bills come up so I wanted to keep it economical too. These two beautiful garlands fit the bill at $12.99 + 40% off.

Supplies:
- 2 garlands of contrasting colors - length depending on the size you want to make your wreath
- 1 round wreath frame
- 1 wooden dowel (I used a 3/8" thickness) - cut 2 lengths of this by placing your dowel across the diameter of your round wreath so they will match the size of round wreath
- wired satin ribbon - length depends on your door hanger and relative wreath size
- saftey wire pliers - they cut through thick wire and twist it to perfection (this is one of my very favorite, cannot-live-without craft tools - they are actually used for wiring bolts and such to racecars so that nothing flies off onto the track - find them at jegs.com - p.s. a pair of these around ensures your sweetheart will be keen to help with your projects!)
- floral wire
- scissors
- lighter

Directions:
1.) Take a length of garland secure it all around your wreath frame every few inches using your pliers and floral wire until you reach a nice, full consistency.  Trim remainder.

*Easy does it with the pliers - these are actually made for much more industrial stuff than floral wire - you'll get the hang of it:)

2.) Repeat this process with both dowels using the other color of garland.
3.) Cross your dowels to form your X and secure with floral wire at the cross point creating a loop.  Fluff your foliage over your wire to hide when complete.
4.) Lay your X on a table below your O and bring it to where the top of the X is just hanging below the O.
5.) Cut 2 extra long lengths of floral wire - this will depend again on your size of wreath and the "fluffiness" of it - just eyeball it so that when it hangs the O and X are legible and not smushed too close together.
6.) Create a loop connecting it with wire to the top of one X's side then loop around the O wreath where it will hand down.  Repeat on the other side so the whole thing is connected.

(I know it's hard to see, but you'll get the idea when you're putting it together)

7.) Take ribbon and fold in half - thread through top of round wreath frame.
8.) Start your bow approximately 6" (again based on your wreath and door hanger) from the wreath and fluff out.  Curl your ends around as well as shown in the final picture.
9.) Slightly burn your edges of your ribbon to prevent fraying.

10.) Hang and enjoy! Happy Valentine's Day!

Hugs & Kisses!