Springtime Yarn Wreath

For the past year Pinterest has been one of my biggest obsessions.  There are just so many possibilities and things to learn.  My mind has become so full of ideas I can hardly keep track!  Hundreds of recipes I would like to try, folders full of art pieces I want to replicate, and of course there are my favorite....crafts for the home. 

Unfortunately my husband, 2 girls, and I are currently residing with my father in his three bedroom home until we get a house built.  So, all of my crafting ideas either have to wait or I have to make them for others and hope they like them just as much as I would.

I was at my grandma's house and realized she had a wreath hanger...but no wreath on her door.  Here is my opportunity!!!  I was going to make my first wreath for her Mother's Day gift!

Wreaths either just became popular or I just have been out of the loop until recently.  Some are really big and bulky, old fashioned, or my style "simple and classy".  When looking up examples that I liked for inspiration I realized that yarn was being used a lot.  This seemed easy enough!

I packed up the girls, went to Hobby Lobby, and spent at least an hour trying to come up with an idea haha.

I went to the yarn section and picked out a pretty spring color, my favorite color, teal.  Then I walked around looking for anything that would match.  I wanted to aim for simplicity since this was my first aim at it. 

I think it turned out pretty awesome don't you?

I have a list of people that I am going to make some for very soon so I am sure I will be adding some more :)


Here's what I did:
(I should have took more pictures :-/  ... don't worry I will next time :)  )

1 foam wreath
1 roll of yarn in teal
4 artificial flowers.  I chose pastels to match the teal and make it springy.
1 wooden letter
paint
glitter
ribbon
hot glue
glue stick
wreath hanger


Glue the first inch or two of yarn to the wreath to make sure it stays in place.

Wrap the yarn around the wreath.  Make sure the lines are straight and tight so none of the white shoes through the yarn.  This process requires patience!  It takes a little while and your wrist may need to rest but the more you do the faster you get.

Glue the last strand when you close up the gap between the last piece and the first piece of yarn.

Paint the wooden letter.  When dry, glue the letter with stick glue and pour glitter on top.  Let dry.

Pull the flowers off of the stems and hot glue into place on the wreath.

Hot glue the letter onto the wreath.

Hang by ribbon on the door with the wreath hanger.

Chicken Pot Pie

 


The weather here has been awful.  First, pollen was flooding our town.  No one could breath and everyone has been sick.  Now, it's dreary, dark, and cold.  It's May!  Where is the sunshine!?

The one good thing about dreary weather is that I get to enjoy warm comforting dishes.  Last night was warm and comforting chicken pot pie! My recipe is always a go to when we don't know what else to fix.  I hate to brag but....it's always delicious! :p  Better than Banquet! haha!  Pretty fast too which I love!

My grandma has been dying for me to give her the recipe so she can try it. .. so this one is for her :)

Chicken Pot Pie:

3 tbsp seasoning (I use Butt Rub...yes, it's a real thing :p )
2 tbsp olive oil

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c diced onion (optional)

1 3/4 c chicken broth OR 1 can
2/3 c milk

2 can mixed veggies
2-3 chicken breasts
2 pie crusts (from your own recipe or 1 box of already made)


Cut chicken breasts into strips.  Season.

Put a medium sized skillet on medium heat on the stove.  Lightly cover bottom with olive oil.  When hot put the chicken strips in.

Turn once and cook until done in the center.  Chop into cubes or shred with a mixer...which ever way you like it best.

Pre heat your oven to 450 degrees

Go ahead and get all of your ingredients together because once you begin the broth mixture it goes pretty fast.  Above I have already seperated what you need to put together :)

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Stir in flour, salt, and pepper (and onion if you choose to use one)

Cook stirring constantly until bubbly.

Remove from heat and stir in broth and milk.

Put the saucepan back on the burner and heat to boiling.  Be sure to constantly stir.  It will begin to thicken.  Boil and stir for 1 minute.

Stir in the chicken and canned vegetables.  Remove from heat.

Roll out your dough and cover the bottom and sides of your dish with the first layer.  I either use a 9x9 glass dish or this round deep dish.

Pour the mixture into the dish on top of the dough.  Cover with second layer of pie crust.  be sure to make a hole or two for the dish to vent or else it went make a huge bubble.

Bake about 30 minutes or until crust is brown and flaky.  Let cool for a few minutes because this dish is very very hot!