My DIY project

I saw this project last Christmas from Martha Stewart.  http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/white-sweetgum-fruit-wreath.   I thought it was very pretty and would be simple to make.  It was but it was time consuming.  It was inexpensive too, the only thing I had to buy was the gold paint for 5.99 at Michael's and a few little decorations for 3.00.  The sweetgum seed pods, little stickery balls, I had available from the tree across the street.  Thye fall on the ground in large numbers.  My nephew went and gathered them for me last year and I found them when unpacking my Christmas decorations and decided to make it.  I started it before my little boy wound up in the hospital and it was a good project after he came home and we stayed around the house keeping quiet for a few days.  He helped me glue a little.  My version is different from Martha's but her general idea. I wanted to make it my own.  It's not perfect, the wreath could be a little rounder but I like it!  

First I spray painted the sticker balls gold and let them dry.

Then I looked around the house for something to use as wreath form.  Martha used styrofoam but the size I wanted was about 14.00 and I was trying not to spend money on this project.  My Middle Son used to practice hoop dancing(American Indian dance) and had some old hoops left over.  He gave me one and it was the perfect size.  Then I just wrapped it in plastic grocery bags I save and then wrapped that in newspaper and taped it.

 I spray painted the wreath I made gold also and when it dried I started glueing on the sweetgum balls.

 I added some sprigs of poinsetta and little branches with pinecones and glitter I got at Michael's 1/2 price for a total of 3.00.   Then I hung it over my fireplace with a thick gold ribbon.   The bow is high because I had to cover where I had to nail it to the ceiling as the fireplace wall is marble and I couldn't attach it there.

I like it so I think it was a success : )