I don’t know why (really, I don’t…) but I seem to do a better job of crafting with food than cooking with it. My M&M Christmas Trees and Berry Centerpiece are examples of my random food crafting. And today, I’m going to keep this trend moving forward with a Candy Heart Wreath.
Unlike most attempted crafts in my life, this one was actually easier, less-messy, and more kid-friendly than I had anticipated. And it turned out just as cute as I’d envisioned. WIN.
This was *super* easy to make, and I’m going to show you how!
What you need:
- I used a 12″ “Floral and Craft Ring” that I got at Michael’s for around $4 (full price – take one of their weekly 40% off coupons and get it even cheaper!). It’s a flat ring with holes in it…you could also make your own ring with some sturdy cardboard – just make sure there’s a hole in it somewhere for your ribbon.
- Candy hearts – I used about 10-12 of the little boxes, and only because my boxes were all short on purple and orange. I had to open a bunch to get all of the colors I needed.
- Craft glue. I used Tacky Glue (the kind in the gold bottle).
- Ribbon.
This craft cost me less than $10 for all supplies (minus the glue, which I had on hand).
How to make it:
The fun part, of course, is eating the candy hearts. I am still a little angry about the decision to add blue hearts to the mix (the flavor is so strong, it ruins the whole darn box for me), and the anger is so strong I nearly threw all the blue ones out and didn’t use them for this project just to prove a point (haha..except, not haha because blue hearts). But then I realized how short I was on purple hearts, and how cute the blue looked, and I went ahead with them, after all. I even ate a few (just to confirm their grossness, of course).
I wish I had painted the ring before I started gluing on the hearts, so if you make this, I recommend painting it (white or a cute color) so that the brown of the craft ring doesn’t show through when it’s all done.
Make a line of glue around the top of the ring (I did this in sections). I placed the hearts on the glue in a rainbow-y sequence.
You don’t need to wait for the first row to dry before starting the next. In fact, I think it’s best to get it all done while the glue is still a little bit wet so you can move hearts around/make adjustments if you need to.
Complete the entire wreath, leaving one hole uncovered for your ribbon.
Now is a good time to spray your ring with a varnish. This ring is not varnished (yet)…the vanish will darken it a teeny bit, but it will protect the wreath from water and keep ants away. It only takes a few minutes for the varnish to dry. I’ll probably spray mine before I store it for the year (which I’ll do by hanging in a closet with a couple of other wreaths I have).
Pull your ribbon through the hole so you have a loop to hang the wreath from. My ribbons were about 3′ long.
Tie the ends into a bow, and hang! Orrrrr, leave it out on a bench and find your kids licking it later. Not that I would know anything about that.
A few notes:
This is really simple and kid-friendly. If your child is still too young for all that glue and candy (so tempting, all of it, I know), they may be able to help you by handing you the colored hearts you need (I let Jack eat the broken ones as we worked).
I had the project completed in just a couple of hours, and that includes letting the glue really set.
I keep looking at this and thinking about all the little changes I would make, but it’s still cute enough to hang on my front door…and maybe I’ll make a fancier one next year.
Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy Crafting!
Find me on Facebook for easy recipes, free printables, super simple kid-friendly crafts, and things to do in Dallas. I’d love to have you join me over there!
This looks like fun! I love the simple ideas. My kids could even help with this one. Thanks for linking at Pintastic Pinteresting Party!
soooo cute!!!!! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop . Hope to see you sharing again this week. Big Hugs
Very cute. Thanks so much for sharing with Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
So bright and colorful. I would have never thought about using those for that. I would love to have you hop over and share with us at Tell Me About It Tuesday! (http://www.sweetsillysara.com/2014/01/tell-me-about-it-tuesday-3.html)
Thanks Jacqui!
Thanks for linking at Whimsy Wednesday last week! Hope you linked up again tonight! Letting you know I featured your Conversation Heart Wreath in my round up here http://bit.ly/1b35Fsq
Thanks!
Susan
Thank you so much Susan!!
I love how easy and pretty this craft is. I’m not the most crafty person, but this has inspired me to give it a try. Thank you so much for linking this up at the Shine a Spotlight Saturday Link Party on Angels Homestead this week!
April
Thanks April! It’s one of those crafts that you really don’t need to be crafty to make it work.
Thanks for sharing your candy wreath at The Pin Junkie. It was featured in today’s Valentine’s roundup. http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/01/valentines-day-crafts.html Please stop by to grab a featured button and don’t forget to join the party this evening! Hope to see you there!
Awesome, thank you so much Bonnie!
I love this so colorful and pretty. Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. We hope you hop over and share with us again next week.
This is so cute and so affordable and most importantly easy!!! I am not a very crafty person but I can see myself making it!
Very fun idea! Thanks for sharing!
Carrie, This is super cute. Love how simple and festive it it. I’m featuring this post on BOTW party. Thanks for linking up!! Nichi http://www.mandatorymooch.com/2014/01/best-of-weekend-week-38.html
Thanks Nichi! <3
This is so dang cute! I love it and I love Conversation Hearts!
That’s seriously adorable! What a neat idea! We will definitely have to make this!
Thanks Christine! It was so easy to make!
Hello cute lady! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you taking the time to stop by and party with us. It wouldn’t be a party without you! I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
this is so cute!
Thank you Lauren!
Such a fun idea! Perfect to make with all those left over cany!
I love this. Its affordable and cute!
Loving this! Pinned and tweeted! Thank you so much for sharing this with us at our linky party. We hope to see you next Monday @ 7 because we can’t wait to see your new creations! Happy Wednesday! Lou Lou Girls
Is it ok if I use this for school?
Yes! 🙂