Pompom Christmas Wreath

Here's a great idea for the yarn lover. I did this wreath with foam core board, covered with batting and felt. Then I added the pompoms and embroidered felt rosettes all the way around for a fabulous Pompom Christmas Wreath. It is so pretty, and will last for years and years! It is on tour with Terri 'O for the CHA Holiday Craft segments all across the nation on the major networks morning shows. You could also add a braided yarn bow if you want even more fru-fru. Here's the way I did it...

Christmas Felt Wreath
Designed by Pattie Donham

MODA DEA™Zing: 1 Ball No. 2357 Pearl
Red Heart ® Soft yarn: 1 Ball No. 4412 Grass Green
Red Heart ® Soft yarn: 1 Ball No. 4420 Guacamole
Red Heart ® Soft yarn: 1 Ball No. 5142 Cherry Red

Supplies:
22” x 22” Foam core board
2/3 Yard Felt (green)
1 Felt Squares: 9” x 12” (red)
Quilt batting
Craft glue (or hot glue gun)
Spray adhesive
Large upholstery needle
Pinking shears
Scissors

Tools:
Large size Pattiewack™ Pompom Tool
Large size Pattiewack™ Tassel Tool

Pompom Steps:
1. Wind yarn onto the pompom tool at the desired size and wind.
2. Tie the center of the pompom tightly with yarn.
3. Cut the pompom away from the tool. Trim into a ball shape.
4. You will need to make:
a. Six 1-inch Cherry Red pompoms (wind 25 times)
b. Six 1-inch Guacamole pompoms (wind 25 times)
c. Three 1-inch Grass Green pompoms (wind 25 times)
d. Four 1-inch Pearl pompoms (wind 25 times)
e. Seven 2-inch Grass Green pompoms (wind 30 times)
f. One 2-inch Cherry Red pompoms (wind 30 times)
g. Three 4-inch Pearl pompoms (wind 35 times)

Rosette Steps:
1. Wind both colors of green yarn around the tassel tool on the 3” step, 12 times.
2. Bind the top of the rosette with 6” of yarn.
3. Pull the rosette off the tool (do not cut the loops).
4. Spread the loops around to create a loopy rosette. Lay aside.
5. Sew decorative stitches on a 1-inch felt circle with the green yarn (cut circle with pinking shears), using a large upholstery needle. (See photo as a guide.)
6. Sew the felt circle to the center of the loopy rosette.
7. You will need 3 rosettes.

Felt Circle Steps:
1. Cut 1-inch circles from red felt, using pinking shears.
2. Sew decorative stitches with green yarn, using a large upholstery needle. (See photo as a guide.)
3. You will need 8 felt circles.

Felt Wreath Steps:
1. Cut a 20-inch circle from the foam core board. Cut out the center to create a 4-inch wide wreath.
2. Adhere batting to front of the wreath with spray adhesive.
3. Trace wreath onto green felt and cut out. Cut out a second piece, 2-inches larger on the inside and on the outside of the wreath.
4. Spray the adhesive to the batting side of the wreath. Lay the larger felt piece over the batting, evenly on all sides
5. Turn wreath over to the backside and cut slits in the green felt on the inside and outside edges of the wreath. Spray the foam core with adhesive and pull the felt around the edges to cover. Adhere the other felt piece onto the foam core to cover the back of the wreath.

Wreath Assembly:
1. Lay out all the pompoms, rosettes, and felt circles on the top of the felt wreath, using the photo as a guide
2. Adhere each piece to the wreath with hot glue or craft glue. Let dry.

Trade Show Heaven

I’m freaking out because I didn’t get to see EVERYONE and EVERYTHING at the CHA trade show in Chicago. Can you say Game Plan? I had one, but there were almost 500 booths, and there are over 5,000 buyers in the $30 Billion craft and hobby industry, so forget about it!















My class was a huge success, if you figure that every crafty store owner got to make 5 projects with their 123D Papercrafting System. We had an evil gremlin trying to keep us from using the projector, but the gallant gals from EK Success took over and soon we were all gazing upward at the power point for the happy how-tos.











I wasn’t flying a motorcycle over 15 buses, or saving the planet, but we were in a papercrafting frenzy, as the swag started to fly. There were fab new papers, stickers, brads, labels, and scrapbook bling everywhere.





















Gloria and Joy were the cutest Vannas I could ask for, and Susan kept the powerpoint humming, while Shane was spreading the love.
















I was still wiping the sleepies out of my eyes, since the class was at 8 o’clock, but these gals were ready! As store owners, they’ve got game, and when they get back home they will be stoked about crafting some serious papercraft bling.














Of course, trade shows are the perfect time to catch up with old friends, and Lauren Johnston made sure we scarfed up some yummo pizza in Chicago style. She’s an amazing designer who’s a riot to work with.















Hanging out at the Hyatt was great, since we got to run into the coolest peeps and even CEOs, like Larry Duncan.





Even Scott can relax sometimes, and sit around without a camera on his shoulder.
















Back on the floor the next day, the Wrights booth was one of the coolest there. The contrast of the architectural grunge against the feminine trims of beading, lace and ribbons was a fashionista’s dream world. Their new bobbin winder was the cutest and a must-have on my tools list.














Speaking of must-haves, you will flip when you get your hands on the Creative Options organizers and totes. Scott shot a video of their fresh new storage products. I’ll let you know when the clip is up for you to check out.







Traci and Alexis were the cutest and craftiest chickies you’ll ever see, and the Duncan booth was buzzing with activity over the new glues and paint products.

After 2 days of craft overload, Scott was delirious at the Hyatt lounge. Yeppers, those are tables, and we did an intervention before the hotel security took Scott away. Just another trade show casualty, I’m afraid. But don’t worry, we made it home just fine, and no animals were hurt or injured in the process. (giggle, giggle)