DIY balloon wreath and painted canvas banner

 

Did you catch our party package giveaway going on right now??? You won’t want to miss it!

 

My favorite decoration of Houston’s first birthday party had nothing to do with Cowboys and Indians. It’s also something I’m excited to be able to use year after year and for more than just Houston’s big day.

 

I even have ideas to recreate it with color schemes for other parties/showers/etc. Wouldn’t it be awesome with pink or blue for a baby shower that the new momma can then hang on her door when the baby arrives? I love that idea!

{and maybe even a black and silver balloon wreath for my dad’s big 60th birthday coming up?! Good thing Poppy doesn’t read the blog ;)}

 

 

Of course, the whole idea came from Pinterest. Did you have any doubts that this wasn’t completely original? Because you would be correct!

 

This is the wreath that stole my heart, though there’s plenty other balloon wreaths with tutorials out there, this one was my favorite!

 

 

 

My completely new and original tutorial…

 

Tools needed:

• straw wreath {left in plastic wrap}
• wide ribbon
• pipe cleaners
• floral greening pins
• balloons {10 in}
• wooden letter for monogram
• rubber mallet – not needed, but handy to have!

 

To begin, there's no reason to remove the wreath from the plastic wrap it comes in. Straw wreaths make a mess and it’s easier to wrap with the ribbon when the plastic is still intact. I wrapped mine with the ribbon but you certainly don’t have to. If there were any bare spots or you saw the wreath from the side or behind, the ribbon simply helps camouflage with cuteness.

I also pinned a large amount of balloons with my greening pins before I started sticking them in the wreath – just personal preference. My brain functions better with one task at a time ;)

 

 

…and I’m pretty sure you don’t need to me to type the next few words, but I’m gonna…

Next step: pinning the balloons to the wreath!

 

These jokers were not so easy to push in when you have to do a hundred or so with only your thumb.

Enter rubber mallet!

 

 

 

When I had all the balloons in place, I curled my pipe cleaners around a pencil, then pinned them throughout. Paint the wooden letter {if you’re using one} the color of your choice, attach and you’re DONE!

{actually, turkeys are done – people are finished…}

 

 

I love that I can easily switch the letter out for other family members. What a time saver in the future!

I’d also recommend not leaving this in the sun for a prolonged period of time, I displayed mine indoors after the party to avoid the sun bleaching out the color on the balloons which I’m sure can happen pretty fast.

 

My other party DIY that I can happily use for years to come and other family members too – a painted canvas birthday banner.

 

Simple – canvas pennants purchased at hobby lobby, stencils, acrylic paint, all tied together with jute rope!

 

I can use just the “Happy Birthday” for another party or make a matching name portion of the banner.

 

 

Again, multi-functional = my favorite!

 

Like I showed you before, I even put the “Houston” banner in his nursery after the party… which gives me ideas for banners for other occasions – wedding showers, baby showers, save-the-date pictures, “welcome home” banners - the possibilities are endless!

 

crappy grainy phone photo, but you get the idea…

 

 

 

Simple, colorful, multi-use  perfection.

I’d love to see if you recreate either one of these non-original DIY’s. Leave me your link if you do!

 

XOXO,

Stephanie