Tag: Diy Wreath

Are you wondering how to wreath on a budget?

If you’re a wreath maker or crafter, you might already be familiar with UITC™ Wreath Making Boards. Our boards help you create a beautiful wreath, in less time and with less materials than traditional wreathing methods. And when you use less materials, you can save a lot of money!

Fortunately, you don’t always need to use brand new crafting materials, such as mesh, to make a gorgeous wreath on our boards! You can actually upcycle or repurpose many items found around your home to create something stunning.

We’ve always said that if you can get a zip tie around it, you can attach it to our wreath boards. This opens up the door for you to use many “outside-the-box” materials to make your wreaths inexpensively AND creatively! Let’s see how…

It All Starts on a UITC™ Wreath Board

Before you begin making your wreath on a budget, the first thing you’ll need is a UITC™ Wreath Board.

UITC™ Wreath Boards are the base for all your wreath making projects. They’re made entirely of 100% recycled plastic, they’re weather resistant and they can be reused! The best feature is the patterned holes to which you can attach all your materials easily and quickly. Our boards are easy and fun to use; no matter your skill level, you get gorgeous results every time.

As of September 2022, we have 11 wreath boards available:

We recommend using zip ties with all of our boards to attach your materials. From traditional crafting materials to upcycled materials, you can use any material you wish as long as you can get a zip tie around it. This helps you use fewer materials so that the wreath making process is much more cost effective and environmentally friendly.

And even though we’re about to tell you how to wreath on a budget, you can always check out additional supplies to help build out your wreath a little more, we’ve got tons of supplies and materials in our online shop: from mesh, to ribbon, to all kinds of accessories, it’s all there!

Wreath on a Budget by Repurposing Old Items

Get ready to turn something old into something new and beautiful! It’s time to search your closets, junk drawers, and storage boxes! Here are some items you could possibly find around your home that you could use to build your wreath on a budget:

…and this list could continue on and on! If you can get a zip tie around it or decoupage it, you can attach it to a UITC™ wreath board. Let your imagination run wild!

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some examples of upcycled or repurposed materials being used on our boards—both from us and members of our Unique Wreath Creators Facebook group—to make beautiful and creative wreaths.

Decoupage Something to Your Wreath Board

Want to make a wreath that features an image, but don’t want to spend the money on a peel ‘n stick vinyl? We’ve got you covered!

To wreath on a budget, decoupage something you already have instead of using a vinyl. Laurie has done just this in the above two wreaths with scenic images from a calendar. You could also use greeting cards, photographs, posters, maps, and other materials. If you can decoupage it, yo can add it to our boards!

Have the outer portion of a flower wreath completed and need a wreath centre? This is also where decoupage can come in handy. Cheri Thrower did this here with her super-summery flower wreath, featuring a patterned flamingo napkin decoupaged to a flat surface. It really ties the whole wreath together beautifully!

Use Old Clothing to Make a Wreath

Got clothing lying around that you’ll never wear again? Rather than throwing it out or making a thrift store run, give it new life by featuring it in your next wreath!

Bandanas were used to create this patriotic all-American flower wreath on the Large Board by Shayla Dowell McClure. We bet this wreath looks fabulous displayed on Memorial Day and the 4th of July!

Have feather boas you’ll never use again? Boas are great for adding bulk to a wreath, helping you cut down on other materials in your wreath—such as deco mesh—or eliminating the need for other materials altogether! They also give a wreath a fabulous flair.

In the above left, Michele from Monkey’s Creations used a pink feather boa for the body of her Breast Cancer Awareness Angel, made on the Triangle Board, while on the right, Jan Barker added an orange feather boa amongst her mesh to add bulk to her pumpkin Character Board wreath.

While using old items of clothing can be an effective way to save money when making a wreath, it can also serve another purpose: to create a tribute to a loved one who has passed on.

If you’ve lost someone special and have been tasked with disposing of their things, making a memorial wreath using treasured items of their clothing can be a great way to keep a piece of them close to you. Jennifer Jones Farley did just that with the above wreaths made in her late mother’s memory. Using items of her mother’s clothing that held special memories, from t-shirts to dresses, she created these beautiful wreaths that she gifted to her family members. What a touching sentiment!

Swap Out Mesh for Shelf Liner, Tablecloths, or Unused Fabric

Amongst our community of wreath makers, a favourite material to use instead of mesh is shelf liner. Shelf liner is a great material for filling out a wreath and is also very easy to work with. And from a distance, it can actually look a whole lot like mesh!

The above three wreaths by Charnella Rosas, Carol Otto, and Katherine Rine Stalnaker are terrific examples of how this material can look when added to our wreath boards.

Another popular item to upcycle for use on our wreath boards? Tablecloths, especially ones made from stiffer material such as vinyl or plastic. These are a fantastic alternative to mesh as they are often patterned, giving your wreath a little extra uniqueness!

The above three wreaths from Pat Richard Guidry, Nancy James, and Laurie are good examples of the different looks you can get when using a tablecloth to build a wreath on the Large Board.

If you have fabric you don’t know what to do with (e.g. bed linens, old drapes, fabric left over from a sewing project, upholstery stripped from old furniture), it can be used to make a wreath on a budget too!

In the above left photo, Kim Miller Decker created a festive Christmas tree wreath on the Triangle Board using scraps of fabric. On the right, Laurie created an eye-catching felt ‘n fabric flower wreath on the Large Board.

Hot tip: When using fabric, felt, or any other non-waterproof material to make a wreath, be sure to spray the wreath with Scotchguard if you’re going to hang it outside. This will help protect it from the elements.

Other Outside-the-Box Ideas

We’ve seen many other creative wreath on a budget ideas from our makers community. Here are just a few:

If you’re a bookworm or are making a wreath for someone who is, using an old book to make a wreath could be a fantastic project for you.

Above, Julie Sieger took a copy of The Secret Garden and used its pages to make the “petals” of this Character Board wreath. She then decoupaged the cover of the book to create the centre. Faux flowers and greenery were added to tie it altogether into a theme.

Faye Earl Hayes from Ducky Darling Creations used deflated party balloons to create the look of this celebratory Ring Board wreath. From afar, they kind of look like colourful flowers! Adorable!

Use Leftover or Economical Crafting Materials to Make a Wreath

Even if you don’t have anything around your home that you’d like to upcycle for a wreath project, there are still other ways to wreath on a budget. For instance, you could use leftover crafting materials you have, such as ribbon, or swap out your mesh for more economic materials, such as felt, foam, or tulle.

In the above left photo, Maia Place shows just how gorgeous an all-ribbon wreath can be! Her peacock wreath, made on the Large Board with NO mesh, only ribbon, is stunning. To make a wreath like Maia’s, take stock of what ribbon you have left over from previous crafting projects and see if you can come up with a theme or pleasing colour scheme.

In the centre, Debbie Bradford Samson has created an absolutely breathtaking lotus flower out of fun foam. No mesh required! Sheets of foam are much more friendly on the wallet than mesh, and you get such cool results, too.

On the right, Terri Poe made a cheerful sunshine wreath using felt. Just like foam, it’s much more inexpensive to use than mesh and you get a different and unexpected result. So neat!

And let’s not forget about tulle! In the above left photo, Michele from Monkey’s Creations brilliantly used tulle for a St. Patrick’s Day leprechaun wreath, made on the Ring Board. And on the right, Laurie used tulle instead of mesh for a black ‘n pink Character Board Christmas wreath. The ribbons help tie the theme together nicely!

In addition to being more economic than mesh, tulle is also a much lighter material, which means if you’re sending your wreath away to a customer or as a gift, it will cost less to ship too!

Wreath on a Budget with Tutorials & Replays

So now that you have some ideas for making a wreath on a budget, you might be wondering how exactly you go about the process of actually making your wreath. Fortunately, we have a YouTube channel full of replays and tutorials to help get you started!

Here are just a few of our #MakeitlikeLaurie YouTube replays that cover some of the ideas you saw above:

If you need more help creating your wreaths or are just looking for more inspiration, browse our YouTube channel for more replays and tutorials. And don’t forget to hit the subscribe button! More replays are being added all the time, so you don’t wanna miss out!

Be Sure You Are “Authentically Unique!”

Before you make your wreath on a budget, we unfortunately need to give a little attention to knock-off boards. They’re out there, and we’ve been seeing them more and more. These boards are lower quality, are typically made overseas, and won’t work with our replays.

Authentic UITC™ Wreath Boards:
👍 Always have the UITC™ logo embossed on the back.
❤️ Are weather-proof and durable, made to withstand the elements.
👍 Have the holes laid out in a clear pattern.
❤️ Have clearly numbered rows of holes.
👍 Are the *only* boards that will work with #MakeitlikeLaurie replays & tutorials.
❤️ Are made here in North America!

Remember, when in doubt, genuine UITC™ Wreath Boards can be purchased through our online shop or through one of our Authorized Distributors. When you purchase your boards one of these ways, you are guaranteed to be “authentically unique!”

Here at Unique in the Creek, we really do believe that wreath making is for everyone, regardless of your budget. You don’t need any previous crafting experience OR fancy materials to have fun and create something beautiful for your home or to give as a gift. All you need is one of our wreath boards, some materials, and a little inspiration!

So now that we’ve shown you how to make a wreath on a budget with upcycled and economic materials, are you ready to get started? Click here for wreath boards, materials, supplies, kits, and more, and don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Instagram so we can see and share your creations!

Do you want to take your unique home decor projects to the next level?

If you’re a wreath maker or crafter, you might already be familiar with UITC™ Wreath Making Boards. Our boards help you create a stunning wreath, with less time and less materials than traditional wreathing methods.

But here’s a little secret, you can actually modify our boards OR our signature designs to create almost anything you can imagine! For instance, maybe you’d like to make a wreath in an unconventional shape. Or perhaps you’d like to make a large, show-stopping wall art piece. We can help and we have dozens of free videos to help you on your creating journey HERE.

We’ve always said that your imagination is your only limitation with our boards! This is even more true when you utilize board and design modifications to create a truly unique creation!

Make Unique Home Decor with UITC™ Wreath Boards

UITC™ Wreath Boards are the base for all your wreath making and DIY home decor projects. They’re made entirely of 100% recycled plastic, they’re weather resistant and they can be reused! The best feature is the patterned holes to which you can attach all your materials easily and quickly. Our Boards are easy and fun to use; no matter your skill level, you get stunning results every time!

As of April 2022, we have 10 wreath boards available that you can use as-is or modify:

We recommend using zip ties with all of our wreath boards to attach your materials. You can use any material you wish as long as you can get a zip tie around it! This helps you use fewer materials so that the wreath making process is much more cost effective and environmentally friendly.

And speaking of materials, everything you need to make creative home decor is located in our online shop: from mesh, to ribbon, to wreath signs, to vinyls for our Character & Rail Wreath Boards, to all kinds of accessories, we have it all! We’re your one-stop shop for all your DIY home decor and wreath making needs.

Safety First While Modifying Your Wreath Boards

Before we dive into all the ways you can modify your UITC™ Wreath Boards, we must provide a little disclaimer.

When you’re cutting a board, drilling in extra holes to a board, or taking apart a board in any way, please remember that sharp, jagged edges and/or areas that are prone to snagging can be created in the process.

We recommend sanding down any areas where the board was cut or punctured to make those areas smooth. Not only will this stop materials from snagging or tearing, but it will also reduce the risk of anyone harming themselves on any sharp edges. UITC™ cannot be held liable for any injuries that may occur during or after the board modification process.

Make Unique Home Decor by Modifying a Wreath Board

So, what are some of the ways our wreath boards can be modified? We’re glad you asked! Our incredibly talented group of creators in the Unique Wreath Creators Facebook group have posted so many creative design ideas over the years using modified boards. We’d like to share some of them with you!

Cut the Wreath Board to Create a New Shape

Probably one of the most popular ways to modify a UITC™ Wreath Board is to simply remove a piece of it, creating a new shape.

In the above wreath, Laurie, founder and CEO of Unique in the Creek, started with the Oval Wreath Board. She then cut off the bottom section, creating a horseshoe shape. Laurie then built a wreath upon the newly-modified board to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. It looks just like a wreath that could be hung around a winning horse’s neck. Beautiful!

In the above photos, Wing Wreath Boards were used. Both boards were modified differently by two separate creators to create two distinct designs. Note that with both designs, the Wing Board was rotated 90 degrees.

For her basket of flowers wreath, Julie O’Brien cut down one side of the Wing Board so it would resemble a basket. She left the other side of the board unmodified so that the flowers and greenery could be attached in such a way that make them look like they were bursting from the basket!

For her patriotic American wreath, Robin Shuler Downe cut off one entire side of the Wing Board, making it one wing instead of two. This gives the wreath a completely new shape!

If you’d like to make creative home decor in “straight line” design, you can chop off the sides of the Cross Wreath Board. Joan Kendall Ward did just that here to create this Christmas swag. Such festive results!

Two modified Triangle Wreath Boards featuring two bird designs, but the results couldn’t be more different! Jan Barker trimmed the sides of her board to create her iridescent peacock wreath, while Pat McEvoy McDonald cut off the tapered end of her board to make her amazing owl wreath. Both Triangle Boards were also turned upside down.

Cut the Wreath Board & Reattach the Pieces

Another way to create a different wreath board shape? Cut your board into pieces and reattach those pieces into an entirely new shape. You can literally create your own shapes to match your unique home decor!

To make this gorgeous floral swag, Carla Halvorson used the Oval Wreath Board. She cut it into two parts, then reattached the two halves in a new spot with zip ties and hot glue. This created the swag’s “s” shape.

Add Extra Holes to Your Wreath Board

Maybe your wreath board is exactly the right shape for the design, but you’d just like some extra space to attach your materials. This is why some people add additional holes to their wreath boards. Remember, if you’re going to drill in extra holes, be sure to sand down the plastic that accumulates.

In the above right photo, Debbie Telford Carr used the Small Wreath Board, adding additional holes to better create the basket idea she had in mind. The results are beautiful!

Use Two or More Wreath Boards in One Design

Want to create a design that’ll really get noticed? Make something attention-grabbing by using two or more wreath boards. Not only will this effectively create a new shape, it will also make your designs BIG!

On the left, Laurie created a flamingo using both the Oval Wreath Board and the Large Wreath Board. And, of course, a whole lotta mesh! The result is a show-stopping piece of wall or fence art that that would look fabulous displayed outside during the summer.

On the right, Linda Lizzio made a cute black cat using both the Small Wreath Board and the Large Wreath Board. This wreath would be perfect for Halloween. However, you could also take the concept and apply it to other design ideas. For instance, a snowman for Christmas/winter, or a bunny or duckling for Easter/spring. The possibilities are truly endless with our boards!

If you’re familiar with our Wing Board, you know it’s very popular for making butterfly wreaths. However, if you want to make a butterfly or other winged creature that’s extra large, you can attach two Triangle Wreath Boards together, like Laurie did with her Butterfly! See how she did it HERE.

Make Unique Home Decor Modifying Traditional Designs

When we talk about modifications, we don’t just mean wreath board modifications. We also mean making modifications to the traditional designs you might see on our wreath boards!

Take our Signature Flower Designs, for instance. These are single-flower designs (e.g. a rose, daisy, or daffodil) made on our Large or Small Boards, using mesh folded to look like petals. These are very popular amongst users of our boards, but they aren’t the only style of flower wreath that is possible on our boards!

For some great outside-the-box thinking on traditional designs, we’d like to introduce you to Sharon’s Door Decor…

Featured Creator: Sharon’s Door Decor

One of our favourite creators for taking our traditional designs and modifying them into something new and beautiful is Sharon from Sharon’s Door Decor, who invented the Double Clematis Flower Wreath design.

While traditional flower wreaths made on our Large and Small Boards just feature one flower, Sharon took things to the next level! Sharon made TWO (and more) flowers on our Large Wreath Board with her Clematis Wreath design.

Suffice to say, this eye-catching design has been a huge hit in the wreath making community!

But she didn’t stop there, she also found a way to add even more flowers to our wreath boards:

Sharon created a beautiful fall wreath featuring four flowers, and also a gorgeous bouquet of tulips! And would you believe these designs, different as they are, were both made on the Large Wreath Board?

Sharon always has so many imaginative wreath and home decor ideas, and uses our boards so creatively to bring them to life! If you’d like to make your own Double Clematis Flower wreath, be sure to watch Sharon’s tutorial below:

For more wreathing and home decor inspiration, follow Sharon’s Door Decor on Facebook and Instagram!

Be Sure You Are “Authentically Unique!”

Before you make your creative home decor on our wreath boards, we unfortunately need to give a little attention to knock-off boards. They’re out there, and we’ve been seeing them more and more. These boards are lower quality, are typically made overseas, and won’t work with our replays.

Authentic UITC™ Wreath Boards:
👍 Always have the UITC™ logo embossed on the back.
❤️ Are weather-proof and durable, made to withstand the elements.
👍 Have the holes laid out in a clear pattern.
❤️ Have clearly numbered rows of holes.
👍 Are the *only* boards that will work with #MakeitlikeLaurie replays & tutorials.
❤️ Are made here in North America!

Remember, when in doubt, genuine UITC™ Wreath Boards can be purchased through our online shop or through one of our Authorized Distributors. When you purchase your boards one of these ways, you are guaranteed to be “authentically unique!”

Here at Unique in the Creek, we really do believe that wreath making and DIY home decor is for everyone. You don’t need any previous crafting experience to have fun and create something beautiful for your home or to give as a gift. All you need is one of our wreath boards, some crafting materials, and a little inspiration!

So now that we’ve shown you how to make creative home decor using modified wreath boards and modified designs, are you ready to get started? Click here for wreath boards, materials, supplies, kits, and more, and don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Instagram so we can see and share your creations!

Americans and Canadians, how do you love celebrating your country?

When it comes to patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Canada Day, you might like inviting over your family and friends, getting outside, lighting up the barbecue, and/or enjoying some fireworks. But of course, you can’t celebrate these holidays without also doing a little patriotic decorating! It’s the perfect way to show your love of country, to honour the troops, and of course, to flex your creative muscle while making something gorgeous!

So we thought we’d show you some of the best patriotic wreaths to inspire your home decorating and party planning. After all, America and Canada sure are beautiful, and you should have decor to match that beauty! Patriotic decorating ideas start here!

The Best Patriotic Wreaths Start on UITC™ Wreath Boards

All the patriotic wreaths we’re about to show you have one major thing in common (aside from being gorgeous, of course!): They were all made on UITC™ Wreath Making Boards!

UITC™ Wreath Boards are the base for all your wreath making projects. They’re made entirely of 100% recycled plastic, they’re weather resistant, they can be reused, and they feature patterned holes to which you can attach all your materials. And yes, they’re easy and fun to use, and get you stunning results every time!

We offer several wreath making boards of different shapes and sizes that can help you get a variety of different results:

We recommend using cable ties (zip ties) with all of our wreath making boards to attach your materials. You really can use any material you wish as long as you can zip a cable tie around it! This helps you use fewer materials so that the patriotic wreath making process is much more cost effective and environmentally friendly.

And speaking of materials, everything you need to create the best patriotic wreaths is located in our online shop: from mesh, to ribbon, to wreath signs, to vinyls for our Character & Rail Boards, to all kinds of accessories, we have it all! We’re your one-stop shop for all your crafting and wreath making needs.

The Best Patriotic Wreaths: American Designs

So with that, let’s dive into some of the best American patriotic wreath designs… featuring our dear friend, Michele at Monkey’s Creations!

Michele, the owner and creative genius behind Monkey’s Creations, is an amazingly talented crafter and wreath maker from Texas who’s made a variety of wreaths on our wreath making boards over the years. And some of our most favourite of these wreaths are her patriotic American wreath designs!

And Michele’s patriotic wreath designs don’t stop there! You can find many more of her best patriotic wreaths on the Monkey’s Creations Facebook page, and replays of her making them on the Monkey’s Creations YouTube channel.

Of course, Unique in the Creek’s Laurie has also made her fair share of patriotic American wreaths. We may be a Canadian company, but we love the USA too! Here are just a couple of Laurie’s patriotic American wreath designs:

Pro Tip: When you’re including stars in your patriotic American wreath, make sure they’re never on the bottom of the wreath, but towards the top. This is proper flag etiquette. For more hot tips on creating your patriotic American wreaths, read this blog post!

The Best Patriotic Wreaths: Canadian Designs

Canadians, we haven’t forgotten about you! We are Canadian, after all, so we know how much Canadians love their country. We love it too!

Some of our favourite Canadian wreath designs come from Liz at Crafty Liz CreeAtions. Liz is an incredible Indigenous crafter and wreath maker who takes great pride in her country. You can really see this in Crafty Liz CreeAtions‘ gorgeous patriotic Canadian wreaths:

Be sure to follow Crafty Liz CreeAtions on Facebook and subscribe to the Crafty Liz Creeations YouTube channel for more stunning wreath designs!

And let’s not forget, Laurie has also made some beautiful Canadian patriotic wreaths too! Here are just a few:

As you can see, from flowers, to butt