3/20/13

Caterpillar Kitchen Spring Wreath

When to Call It Quits and Buy the Darn Thing!

Hola Amigos! HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING 2013!!!! I know...it seems like it's only on the calendar because there's still snow falling out there and with Easter just two weeks away I wonder if we have to try to find eggs in the snow, let's keep our fingers crossed this doesn't happen.

How may times have you said to yourself as you browse through a catalog.."What? How Much?...Nahh I can   do that for way less!!!!! Well I fell into this temptation and after all  I went through I said : "You know what? Next time just buy the  darn thing!!!!
It all started one afternoon when I saw this cute caterpillar made out of clay pots. It wasn't expensive at all, but I don't know what possessed me to think.".that plus shipping, nah..I can do this for less than 10 bucks"! In theory perhaps...
First I bought 6 mini clay pots for less than a dollar and I used a coupon...Score!
I primed them with white primer that I always keep handy...Score again!
I have tons of acrylic paint so that was free...so far I'm way under $10.00...Score

Then the 3 hour problem began...try to put these pots together in a way that they resemble the movement and body of a cute caterpillar, give it a head (non present on the catalog version) and then attaching it to a vine wreath! Sounded easier than it was...

First the pots would not stay in place...they kept moving, twisting and getting all bent out of shape.

Attaching jute to a Christmas ornament was a good idea until my cat ran away with the end of my jute roll and started playing with it..


When I finally had them in some sort of shape that  resembled a caterpillar it came time to attach it to the wreath, yeah 6 heavy little pots on a vine wreath first thing that came to mind, Hot Glue Gun! Big mistake as you can see here...Ouch...

To make a long story short and between dinner, playing, cleaning and a load of laundry I finally mounted the caterpillar, decorated the wreath and I'm still praying I don't wake up tomorrow morning to a pile of broken clay pots! (It held together, Thank Goodness!)

Now in my defense, the little caterpillar I saw in the catalog, was not meant to be part of a wreath at all, it was just a garden decoration with bigger pots, so it's like trying to make a roast out of a can of Spam (nothing wrong with Spam though, lol)

Don't get me wrong, I think I accomplished what I initially was set to do and I'm proud of the results.

My little spring kitchen wreath is much loved, after all, you love everything which costs you sweat and tears right?I think it's cute and perfect size for my pantry door.

I manage to keep the overall feeling of "nature" I wanted for the entire house decor this spring in a whimsical way, it's the kitchen and I like to have fun and enjoy myself while I'm cooking.

But at the end I realized that sometimes is better to "invest" in the goods, go and  focus on to other better things. My time and poor hand were certainly worth more than the catalog price and my imaginary $10 bucks...so next time if you think you can make something for less...just think about it twice...and safe yourself some aggravation (or use something other than a hot glue gun to work with) LOL


Besitos,
Lizy
Sharing my boo-boo and words of wisdom at these Fabulous Parties:
Under the Table and Dreaming
No Minimalist Here
Rose Chintz Cottage
Primp
Marigold's Loft
Setting for Four
Dragonfly Designs
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Beyond the Picket Fence
Clippie Dips
Designed Decor
The Taylor House
Jennifer Rizzo
The Thriftiness Miss
The Frugal Girls
The Shabby Nest
Simply Designing
The Home Girl
504 Main
One Artsy Mama
The Best Blog Recipes
Shaken Together
The Real Coake Family
Fox Hollow Cottag
My Turn (For Us)
Just Us Four
Tatertotos and Jello
Dear Creatives
My Romantic Home
Chic on a Shoestring
Bowdabra
Sincerely, Paula
Funky Junk Interiors
Life on Lakeshore Drive
Flamingo Toes
The Chicken Chick
Top This by Leanne
a Humble Creation
Judy H-J's Thoughts
Sugar Bee Crafts
Do Small Things with Love
Nap-time Creations
Love Grows Wild
The 36th Avenue
Married Filing Jointly
The Charm of Home
Rooted in Thyme
The CSI Project

28 comments:

  1. The wreath is cute, and it does feel 'earthy.'

    I was just wondering too if we'll have to hide eggs in the snow. Ugh.

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  2. Lizy, you had me at your blog name-ha! Thanks for your sweet comment! I'm happily following you back :)
    Susan

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  3. Well this brought a happy smile to me in the midst of blowing snow on the first day of spring in Michigan! (GR) - anyways, cute, cute, cute! Thanks for sharing all the trials of making it. Some people would just pin it and let everybody deal with the glue burns and (possible) crashing pots and disappearing jute ball without saying a word! I wonder if those little plastic seedling pots would work too? In any event, you've got to be happy with the way this turned out!

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  4. But it looks so great!! I'm sorry you got hurt along the way. I think most of my projects take a little longer than I expect. Oh, who am I kidding? It usually takes a lot longer :) But the satisfaction of getting it done and making it look good is pleasant :)

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  5. Well, Lizy, I think this is one of the cutest and most creative wreaths I've seen! Perfect for springtime! I'm so happy you have shared this with us at my HOME. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Spring!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. That is the cutest caterpillar ever!
    Anjana @ www.happyandharried.wordpress.com

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  7. That is the cutest wreath ever!!! Oh man hot glue and myself is always a dangerous thing. I'm sorry about your burn :(.

    Love your blog so cute, I'm your newest follower!

    Stopping by from the Home Girl's Blog Hop.

    Alexis from Running Away? I'll Help You Pack!

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  8. I love this! The mini flower pots as a caterpillar are genius! Pinning!

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  9. Love this! The caterpillar made from the mini flower pots is genius! So cute! Pinning :-)

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  10. Thnak you so much for your visit and the pin! Come back and visit soon!

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  11. Cute wreath! I'm pinning it! i love the caterpillar! I'm sorry your hot glue gun got you. Mine gets me sometimes, too...

    Navy Wifey Peters

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  12. Hi Lizbeth
    Your wreath is just beautiful, toooo cute I saw your link on My Turn hop. I host a link party that runs Thurs -Sun, I'd love to have your add your wreath link. I'm already a follower but if I wasn't this wreath would cause me to become one. It really is just toooo cute.
    Best
    Angel

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  13. I love your little caterpillar! I think it is really cute. Nicely done.
    Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
    KC

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  14. I must tell you that you deserve big times kudos for finishing this ambitious project! My goodness....you injured yourself (kind of badly, too!), had to chase down your cat, had to struggle with design issues...you must have REALLY wanted this wreath!!! It turned out great, and you now have a very funny story to tell anytime someone comments on it!

    I hope that burn is healing without too much pain. Take care, and congratulations on a wreath well done! (visiting from The Home Girl's blog party)

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  15. I think you did a great job Lizy! You are so creative. I am sorry that you were hurt by the hot glue gun. I hope it is healing quickly.

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  16. It's absolutely adorable! Your projects are so inspiring, even if it did cost you a battle wound burn! I remember burning myself very badly while trying to construct a wine cork wreath. Thanks for sharing your adorable wreath and story at A New Creation!

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  17. what a cute project (although not dipped in chocolate!!) Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays! you are a faithful linker! love it! Really appreciate you stopping by my blog! I’m trying to keep in better touch with my linkers/readers… If you already follow me, please let me know I will find your blog on Bloglovin (I’m transferring my follows there)if you don’t follow in any way, would you consider following via GFC or other method?
    http://www.nap-timecreations.com

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  18. I just love this, Lizbeth! How adorable and creative!!! Thanks so much for sharing this on the FESTIVE FRIDAY FIESTA Link Party! Can't wait to see your creations this week! Hope you're having a wonderful Easter Week! =D

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    1. Thank You Homegirl! always a pleasure to be at your party!

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  19. What a beautiful wreath!
    Thank you so much for sharing this craft on Tutorial Thursdays. I look forward to seeing what you have been up to this week.
    x
    Natalie
    www.marigoldsloft.blogspot.com

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  20. This is beyond cute!! We just had to feature it on Inspiration In Progress today!

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  21. Oh my gosh...that caterpillar is so clever and cute!

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  22. So adorable and creative! I love the caterpillar! Cute!! Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent.
    hugs
    Kathy

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  23. That is sooo fun! I love the caterpillar!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Tonia...he is actually quite cute!

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  24. This is so cute! Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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