Mesh Wreath DIY for Football Season

Happy Fall, y’all!

Do you know how a song or a scent will instantly take you to a different place and time in your memory?  A perfume that reminds you of your grandmother or a song that puts you back on the dance floor at your high school homecoming dance.  It’s so funny what triggers our memories.  Well, since I seem to continue to prove that I am totally weird, I am going to share the one thing that makes me know it’s Fall:  The intro song to the NFL Today on CBS.  I’ve attached a YouTube link if you want to enjoy what I consider to be the theme to Fall.  (Please note:  coming in a close second is the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving music)

I am just an NFL girl.  Love it.  The great part about this DIY Mesh Wreath that I’m showing you today is that you can customize it for any team/sport you choose.  My Atlanta Falcons have a slogan of “Rise Up” so I chose to place that on my wreath.  You could easily write out “Go Dawgs” for UGA, “Roll Tide” for Alabama or just spell out your team’s name such as “Tigers” or “Dragons”.

For this project, the supplies needed are:

• 18″ wire wreath from Dollar Tree
• 10″ mesh ribbon rolls in three colors
• Various sizes and colors of wired ribbon to go with your theme
• Pipe cleaners (cut into thirds)
• Wire clippers
• Popsicle sticks
• Spray paint (color of your choice)
• Wooden letters (mine are 4.25″ letters from Hobby Lobby that came in a 2-pack)
• 2 picture hanging rings
• E6000 clear glue
• Craft paint (colors of your choice)
• Small paint brush

I cut the mesh ribbon in 10 inch lengths, rolled it and twisted a piece of the pipe cleaner at the middle.  I then secured the ribbon to the wreath using the pipe cleaner.  For this wreath, I used about 8-10 mesh rolls for each color and spaced them throughout the wreath as shown below.  For the wired ribbon, I measured the ribbon in 11 inch lengths, folded them in half,  then folded the cut edges in order to cut the edges for a “V” cut.  Lastly, I wrapped a pipe cleaner in the center and then attached it to the wreath.  I spaced the ribbon the same way as the mesh ribbon and stopped only when the wreath looked full.

For the letters, I spelled out “RISE UP” and then turned the letters front side down.  Using popsicle sticks, I attached the letters to each other using E600 glue.  Once the glue had dried, I took the letters outside and spray painted both sides black.  I sprayed two coats on the front.  I wanted the letters to be visible from a distance so I placed red polka dots on them using a round painting sponge.  You could also use a sliced carrot just like we used to paint with potatoes back in the day.  I used white craft paint and outlined the letters with a small paint brush.  To give the letters a finished look, I sprayed the front with clear gloss spray paint.  To attach the letters to the wreath, attach two picture hanging hooks to the back of the letters using E6000 glue.  Once the glue has dried, run a pipe cleaner through the holes and twist the pipe cleaners on the wire wreath wherever you want them.  Push the letters in slightly so that it looks like it’s part of the wreath.

To decorate my front stoop, I had Donnie cut me three different shaped footballs out of a piece of old plywood we had.  I painted those with craft paint, added the lace marks with white paint and painted polka dots on them in different colors.  I also sprayed clear gloss spray paint on them.  I purchased a wooden stick from Home Depot (in the section where the For Sale signs are) and glued the footballs to the stick with E6000.  To finish it off and make it match the wreath, I gathered several pieces of ribbon, cut them to size and attached them to the stick with pipe cleaners.  (NOTE:  I began by spray painting the wooden footballs but they just didn’t look as good as I had hoped so I chose to paint them again with craft paint.  I would recommend using craft paint instead of spray paint for this craft.)

I made these footballs prior to starting my blog and only took one photo.  Here’s a shot of the painted footballs where I was using painter’s tape to tape off the white stripes for the sides.

 

Here’s the front porch decorations.  I bought the small yard flag at Walmart.  Go Falcons!  Rise Up!

Do you have a favorite team you’d like to honor on a wreath?  This is a easy way to add a lot of color to your front door and show your team spirit!  I hope you’ll give this a try and possibly share your work with me.

Until next time, I hope you have a blessed day and take time to let your creativity to shine.  Thank you for stopping in!