Hello all! Want to hear about my epic fail?
***UPDATE: Epic fail part 2 – the blog hop below wasn’t showing for the first 8 hours of this post, but the link up is working now!!
So, I’ve been telling you about this flag wreath I’ve been working on. I wanted to make a wreath from things I already had on hand because I didn’t want to spend any money. My materials were:
- swimming noodle
- sewing thread
It was going to be simple, right? Ha.
Hopeful
I had a swimming noodle that I wanted to mold into a wreath and tape together. I had seen many DIY tutorials for this idea, especially this one from Naptime Crafts:
I didn’t have yarn and didn’t want to buy it, so I thought I could use sewing thread I had on hand.
My first mistake
I soon found out how frustrating it can be to make a circle out of the swimming noodle. I kept cutting it smaller in order for it to look like a circle. Ironically, I found that it was looking less like a circle the smaller I cut it.
You might be able to image my frustration when I showed my husband what the wreath looked like and he the first thing out of his mouth was to ask why it was so small…
small swimming noodle circle
Further setbacks
As I was wrapping (and it took FOREVER to wrap the thread), I discovered I didn’t have enough thread….
As you can see packaging tape didn’t hold the wreath, so I added duct tape later…
The above was after I used two rolls of thread.
After this second attempt and setback I decided to forget the thread and I put this project aside for about a week. I was too worn out and disappointed to work on it anymore. I needed a break!
New Idea
Somewhere while reading blogs I came across a wreath wrapped in jeans and t-shirts and thought that could be a cute solution to my lack of thread problem. I decided to try wrapping it with t-shirts I had on hand. But after putting on a little bit of fabric I saw that my small, pathetic wreath would NOT be shaped like a wreath after all:
wreath failure
Breaking Point
*SIGH* At this point I was just so frustrated and ready to be done with the wreath. I don’t give up on a project easy, especially as I had invested time wrapping the thread, but so little had come of it.
So, I just decided to abandon the project. I was tired of the setbacks and the 4th of July was approaching too fast. After I gave it up, I was filled with relief just to have this over with.
Lesson Learned
Even though I didn’t accomplish what I set out to do, this was still a great learning experience for me. Yes, I may have disappointments from trying to be creative and using what I have on hand, but experiences like this will only help me to learn patience and stretch me to be more creative. I will be trying a swimming noodle wreath again, but I have learned what not to do and some different tactics to try next time.
Instead, I decided to put up an old, but cute wreath my mother in law made for me on my front door. It’s very fitting for summer and reminds me to water my plants:
What projects have you done in the past that have completely bombed?
TIOT Features
Jamie’s {The House That Built Us} Burlap & Buttons Monogram
Julie’s {The Naptime Review} Frozen Banana Crunch Pops
Sarah’s {Renewed Upon a Dream} Patriotic Bath Salts
{Happiest Mom on the Blog} Raised Garden Boxes
Lydia’s {Five 4 Five Meals} Lazy Lady Pull Apart Breakfast Cake
{The Messy Roost} Chalkboard Labels
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© 2012, Betsy Pool. All rights reserved.
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This cracked me up! I’m sorry it didn’t workout though!
No problem – don’t worry about laughing. My husband actually suggested I write it up in a humorous way, and I’m glad I did.
My completed project this week was a yarn wreath for Independence Day and I had a heck of a time with it as well. I did end up finishing it but I spent far more time fussing with it than anticipated. Sorry yours didn’t turn out – funny post though
Nicole recently posted..Fourth of July Patriotic Wreath
I did see your wreath and I LOVED it. Sometimes the wreaths we love do take a lot of work to put together.
But the hose wreath is genius! And the gloves made to look like a flower arrangement
) Brilliant!
Unfortunately they don’t all work out. Thanks for sharing!
Mary@Back to the Basics! recently posted..Red, White and Blue Treats from around web (part 2)
I’ve been there with a few wreaths. I love the hose wreath though!
Megan recently posted..Pottery Barn Knock Off Letter Bin
Thanks Megan!
Hi Betsy! I’ve been out of the loop lately with a couple of crazy months. I hate putting time into a project only to have it flop, but it made for a funny post! Sorry it didn’t turn out. We all have flops now and then.
I don’t see a link for the blog hop. Am I missing something? I finally have another project to link up…love your parties!
I’m so glad you are linking up. Sorry – epic fail part 2 – not having the link up. It’s on the post now!
I love that you shared when things don’t always work out! Normally, we only see the AH-MAZ-ING things…. love that you are keeping it real!
Thanks for sharing!
~Heather
Heather recently posted..Fourth of July Party Decor
Thanks. My husband actually suggested I keep it real and write it up in a humorous way, and I’m glad I did.
lol, I’m terrified of pool noodle wreaths, and you just solidified my fears. I’m not really seeing how you can make a small enough perfect circle with it?!?! I’ll just stick with finding florists foam on the clearance rack!
I’m loving the hose idea, thought!
Jamie recently posted..Monogram Monday – Wood & Burlap Frame Monogram
Haha – terrified of pool noodle wreaths? We will see – did you read the tip about putting a slit down the side of the wreath and taping it so that the slit is along the length of the outside of the wreath? That might have helped. Next time, I WILL give it one more shot.
Thank you for featuring my bath salts! I appreciate it!
Sarah recently posted..The Number One Way to Get Everything Done
No problem! I can’t wait for your guest post this coming Saturday!!!
my friend I just pat you on the back for trying that wreath! thanks for hosting! also that pull apart bread has got my mouth watering!
Thanks Deirdre for your encouragement!!
Yes, the pull apart bread does look so good!!
uh…oh…i don’t see the hop either!
deirdre recently posted..Guilty Pleasures: Books & Fashion
Glad to see I’m not the only one whose projects don’t always pan out!
And, I’m not seeing the hop, either. I’ve been out of the loop the last couple of weeks and am excited to link up a project!
Jillian @ Hi! It’s Jilly recently posted..Quick & Easy Summer Meals- BLT Pasta Salad
Sorry! Epic fail part 2! The hop is up now!
The best designs evolve from the biggest failures. Perhaps if you had used a more pliable noodle it would have worked for you. I wouldn’t give up. It’s all about looking at things differently. If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Sometimes I think that I am a mad scientist. You would not believe my stock of failures…that become the most original designs.
Crystal recently posted..Recycled Glue Caddy
Right. I WON’T let the swimming noodle conquer me. I WILL try it again….someday. Thanks for your encouragement!
I’ve never made a wreath from a pool noodle, but I’ve heard if you slit the noodle open down the entire length of it you’ll be able to bend it into a circle with no problems! The tip I saw said to slit it open and bend it around with the slit on the outside. I’ve never tried it, but it might help if you wanna try again!
Jessi recently posted..Photo A Day – July
Wow – I wish I had tried that for this project! It might have saved it from disaster a little bit. But then again, I think I would have rather just started over. Another time…
Oh no!! At least you tried – which is more then I can say:) Thanks for hosting!!
Cari recently posted..Techy Tips on Tuesdays – Links
You get 2 points and a cookie for trying and your back up wreath with the hose still looks cute!
Leslie @ ASG in the SLC recently posted..Red White & Bloom! Patriotic Pillow Tutorial
Thanks.
Hi Betsy, I think my biggest fail was a picture frame transformation. I was having a hard time putting back on, so, instead of a little tap from a hammer, I used a sledge hammer. Wow, that frame didn’t have a change. I also wanted to thank you for featuring my chalkboard labels. I hope you come by and see how I have used some. I love partying with you — have a great week.
Rhonda
Rhonda @ The Messy Roost recently posted..Drink Carrier Paper Organizer
Oh – that would not be good!!
That’s too bad. Yes, we all have fails…. I’m so glad you linked up again!
Thanks for hosting!!
Happy Tuesday.
Heather recently posted..Charleston!
Oh dears. I hate it when things don’t go your way! I have a truck load of unfinished (unfinishable!) projects in the cupboard oh and garage! You are certainly not alone. I hate it when this happens!! Thanks for sharing. Have to say even though this sucked it made a funny blog post.
Madeleine @ NZ Ecochick recently posted..Growth chart
Excellent story.
I think it is very impressive that you even tried to make this in the first place. I haven’t got a crafty bone in my body so avoid it at all costs!
Thanks for having me today. I have linked up my post about my Social Media link up that I’m hosting on July 14th at my blog. I hope you’ll be able to join in!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz
PS I’ve given this post a +1 on Google!
Natasha In Oz recently posted..Say G’Day Saturday ~ Save the Date for the Let’s get Social {Media} Linky Party!
Thanks Natasha! I really appreciate you giving this post a +1 on Google! I really need to get on Google + more often. Thanks for motivating me to.
Yay for having a cute backup!!
YAY! The hop is up – WOOT!
deirdre recently posted..Guilty Pleasures: Books & Fashion
I am DYING! I’m sorry to be laughing at your wreath frustrations, but I was reading your post thinking that that’s probably what most Pinterest-inspired projects turn out like. I could feel your fustration…
Artchoo! recently posted..Ideas for Introducing Art Concepts to Your Unsuspecting Toddler
No problem. My husband actually suggested I write it up in a humorous way, and I’m glad I did.
Oh my goodness! I loved this post simply because I typically mess up everything I try! Especially food. But Pinterest keeps making me want to keep trying!
Melina recently posted..Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals
I really like your final project, it look pretty cool and it is much better than the first version I think. Great job!
Manuela recently posted..Inspiration ist alles.
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