As much as I consider myself a crafty person, the last few Christmases due to time constraints, I have found myself buying the typical store wreath. It is always nice, for sure, and of course smells good, but there's nothing like making something yourself. I'm just a few days in with my new handmade coffee filter wreath (thanks Abby for the inspiration), but I can validate how happy I am to come home every day and see this puffy, fluffy, white, elegant albeit inexpensive wreath. It seriously puts the biggest smile on my face :) If you're ready to get your craft on, follow these easy directions to make one yourself.
Materials (crafts from Michaels, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby and coffee filters from a grocery store)
Small circle - $2.99 (with 40% coupon)
Coffee Filters (100) - $.79
Ribbon - $3.50 (in-store sale) Total $7.28
If you don't already have these, you'll need:
Mini glue gun & sticks - approx $5
1. Crumple up one coffee filter. Make sure the tops are even.
2. Glue a good-sized dot on the outside of your circle
3. Press the bottom of the crumpled filter on top of the glue dot. Be sure to put pressure on for 10-20 seconds. Also be careful that you don't burn yourself, too much; unfortunately I couldn't seem to avoid this once in a while.
4. After gluing coffee filters around the outside. Glue two more layers until the wreath is finished (the picture shows only two layers). Be sure to leave a one inch space in the same place in each layer; this is where the ribbon will go.
5. Affix to your door. Enjoy! Handmade Happy Holidays!
Extra tips:
- Do buy the smallest circle. Remember the wreath will grow 4-6 inches beyond the circle.
- I made this with the flat styrofoam circle (shown above) as well as with a green circle usually bought in the floral department. Works the same, still 3 layers.
- Pop in a movie and settle in for a little while. While easy in steps, it is something that takes time to make.
So for those of you who do not already know, I decided to run off and join the circus. For the night, that is :) With my LivingSocial deal in hand, my good pal "C" and I ventured to the Trapeze School New York (TSNY) in Chicago for a fun night of "Trapeze Flying + Dinner + Drinks". Yes, in that order, not the reverse!
The evening began with a few simple aerial silks exercises. This consisted of nothing complicated. Then we proceeded to partner balancing exercises which were fun, and required good balance & trust.
Eventually the thrilling part came - trapeze flying! Come on, admit it, you have always been fascinated by the thought of flying through the air too. But nonetheless, a whole host of worries entered my head. Will I be able to hold onto the bar? Am I strong enough? (Perhaps I should have kept doing that weight training). Am I flexible enough to get my legs up on the bar? (I haven't done that since elementary school on the monkey bars!) The head guy, Steve, gave several directions for the flying trapeze in rapid-fire succession. Will I remember what I'm supposed to do? Oh yeah, he said that he'd call out the instructions and all I have to do is listen and follow. "Ready...hep" (signals to get ready and then jump) and I flew through the air like a bird, so free and weightless. And really, it was just that easy. I got to try the trapeze three times and on the third time I did an arm catch! See the video below! :) So fun and easier than I anticipated. Honestly, the scariest part was climbing the ladder up to the 23 foot platform.
If you're looking for a little adventure in your life and something unique to do in Chicago - whether a resident, suburbanite or visitor, check out the Flying Trapezewebsite or LivingSocial dealgoing on right now (see links below). The LivingSocial deal makes for a great, full night because you go to Broadway Cellars restaurant across the street afterwards for dinner and a drink. Additionally, if you happen to like it, the Flying Trapeze school has several classes so you can keep learning more. They offered the third class free, if you signed up for a second class. The school also teaches aerial silks, trampoline, acrobatics, etc.
In the wintertime, the school is at Broadway Armory Park in Edgewater, and in the summertime, you can do it outside at Belmont Harbor!
All shapes, sizes and athletic ability were clearly welcome. I watched a 60 year old man do this! So ....when are you going to put some thrill in your week and join the circus...for the day/night?
