If you haven’t already noticed, I have a not-so-slight obsession with wreaths. I just love ’em! They’re such an easy way to add some spunk to your home and celebrate any occasion. They are also super simple to DIY….just check out my Project Gallery to see all the ones I’ve made so far.
For some time now, I’ve been pondering the idea of creating a year-round wreath that I can display, well, year-round, or at least during those in-between times that don’t really have or warrant a specific wreath (I’m looking at you August!).
I also happen to love — and I mean LOVE — color (much to my boring-beige-loving-husband’s chagrin), so I whipped up this colorful polka dotted wooden wreath…..and now we can have a festive door, no matter what time of year it is!
Year-Round Happy Everything Wreath: A Coton Colors Knock Off!
Supplies
- 17.5-inch scalloped wooden wreath
- White spray paint
- Vinyl in various colors
- Silhouette Cameo & 12″ x 24″ cutting mat
- Transfer paper and painter’s tape
- Twine and glue
Note: While I used my Silhouette and vinyl, you could very easily hand-paint all the elements. I have terrible hand-writing so I took the easy route!
My Inspiration
I have been a big fan of Coton Colors ever since I first discovered them several years ago. I stumbled upon their University of Kentucky mini sign (also known as a tag along) that served as inspiration for my UK basketball ornament wreath, and my admiration for their colorful and whimsical designs was born!
Since I knew that I wanted my year-round wreath to be full of both of those things (color and whimsy, that is), I looked to their Happy Everything collection for inspiration. When I saw their Welcome wooden wreath, I knew I’d found it!
It also doesn’t hurt that my knock off version would be made with supplies I already had on hand….much cheaper than the $60 price tag of the original….when they were still carrying them, apparently. All the more incentive to make my own!
Prepping the Wooden Wreath
A few years ago, I purchased some scalloped wooden wreaths…..and they’ve been sitting in storage ever since. I know, I’m terrible.
Well, I actually started making one….I sanded it and primed it, but then set it aside once I found out I was pregnant. I just had too much other way-more-important stuff on my plate.
I also hadn’t yet discovered the wonderful world of my Silhouette Cameo, so my crafting possibilities were still limited (especially since I have terrible handwriting…..just check this out for proof).
So to prep this wooden wreath, I gave it a couple coats of white spray paint then let it dry completely.
My Design
Here’s the design I came up with in Silhouette Studio. I combined the Coton Colors Welcome wreath with their Happy Everything vibe, and this is the result.
Colorful and whimsical, right? Not to mention all-inclusive on what we’re celebrating….just what I was after!
Cutting Out the Elements in Vinyl
Since I have a strong aversion to cleaning paint brushes (and to cleaning in general), I decided to cut the polka dots out in vinyl along with all the wording. Once again, you could very easily hand-paint all this on if you don’t have or don’t want to use a Silhouette and vinyl.
I cropped some of the polka dots that fell along the edges so they would align perfectly with the wooden wreath’s scallops, then positioned all the elements onto my 12″ x 24″ cutting mat. This was so I could cut them all in one pass….work smart, not hard.
I then finalized my Silhouette‘s cut settings:
- Blade: 2
- Speed: 4
- Thickness: 9
Next, I headed to my handy dandy vinyl storage organizer and pulled out some scraps or sheets of vinyl in corresponding colors (this is why I love having variety packs on hand….you never know what colors you’ll need!).
Then I trimmed them all to size and positioned them on my cutting mat so they matched their digital counterparts….bless you grid squares. Then I loaded the mat into my Silhouette and got to cutting!
A few moments later, my vinyl cuts were ready! And looking rather Pac-Man-esque….
Applying the Vinyl
For the polka dots, I skipped the transfer paper and just applied them by hand….I know, livin’ on the edge!
I referred back to my mockup and first added all the ones that went along the sides….
….then added the perfectly round ones in the middle.
Next, I applied the two words with the help of some transfer paper and the hinge method (which you can read about here if you’d like).
Once all the pieces were nice and securely applied, I peeled off the transfer paper and then gave everything a quick blast with some clear sealant, just so everything had the same finish (the white paint was flat but the vinyl was gloss).
All that was left was gluing a strand of twine to the back and then this beauty was ready to hang!
The Final Year-Round Happy Everything Wreath!
And here’s the final wreath! Not too shabby, eh? I LOVE how it’s so bright and colorful and polka dotty, and as its name implies, it can be hung year-round.
Hooray for decorations you can get mileage out of!
If You Enjoyed This….
Check out my Project Gallery for all of my other crafty creations, tutorials, and freebies, like these!
And I also have a Pinterest board dedicated to all things WREATHS!
Follow Christine at Where The Smiles Have Been’s board Wreaths! on Pinterest.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Melissa says
November 6, 2018 at 12:46 pmThis is beautiful! How tall are the letters?!
Lindsey says
July 24, 2017 at 7:32 pmWhat font did you use?
Chris says
October 23, 2016 at 8:08 pmLove this! Did you ever share the file? How did you get just the right shape on the cut circles?
Ashley says
August 29, 2016 at 7:57 pmSo cute!! How did you crop your dots to match so perfectly?
Chris says
October 24, 2016 at 12:12 pmDid you ever get an answer on your question? I’m also wondering.
les says
March 24, 2016 at 12:47 pmdo you have a download file on this?
Kristina says
February 19, 2016 at 9:08 pmDo you have the file up for download? Am I just not seeing it? I would LOVE to recreate this for my front door!
Laura Catherine says
October 16, 2016 at 2:33 pmHi Kristina! Did you ever find or create a file for the cut-outs? Thanks!!!
Lindy says
October 23, 2015 at 1:54 pmI absolutely love this!!!! Unfortunately, I don’t own a Silhouette! I’ll have to check around to see if I can buy the vinyl already cut.
Christine says
October 26, 2015 at 11:02 amHey Lindy! You sure don’t need a Silhouette to recreate this. You can just hand paint everything on, or I’m sure you can find a seller online if you want to use vinyl. Have fun! :)
Donella Crigger says
August 20, 2015 at 10:48 amWhat an adorable wreath! I love the idea of a wreath that you can use year round. Your post has been featured at this week’s Get Your Shine On party and pinned to our features board! (We took last week off.) We hope you’ll join us again this week!
Whitney says
August 11, 2015 at 6:49 pmI personally think I like this one better than the actual one! What a great job!! Thanks for sharing your secrets :)
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:27 pmWhy thank you, Whitney! I’m really happy with my knock off version too. :)
Beth @ beingfrankenfield.com says
August 10, 2015 at 7:22 pmOk… I absolutely ADORE this! I see myself making a “Happy Everything” wreath sometime in the near future! Thanks for sharing in our “Everything But the Kitchen Sink” Link Party- I hope you’ll join us again!
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:30 pmThanks so much, Beth! :)
Dory @Doyledispatch.com says
August 9, 2015 at 7:54 pmHow absolutely adorable! How do you think that it holds up in various weather conditions? And thanks so much for stopping by our “Everything But the Kitchen Sink” Link Up! We hope you will come back again!
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:37 pmThanks Dory! My front door is covered with a small roof on our porch so it’s not directly exposed to precipitation or direct sunlight for long. I also sealed it with some spray sealer, and so far so good!
Lisa Sharp says
August 6, 2015 at 12:06 pmSo cute! Thanks for sharing, this is an adorable project.
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:42 pmWhy thank you, Lisa! I appreciate the kind words! :)
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
August 6, 2015 at 8:40 amI love this anytime-of-year wreath idea!! Those colorful polka dots are so cheery :)
Christine says
August 13, 2015 at 10:43 pmThank you, Emily! Polka dots are great, aren’t they? :)
Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs says
August 4, 2015 at 5:03 amThe bright colors of your wreath are so happy so happy everything is the perfect sentiment. I think this design would also make a great Easter wreath. And I love the heart burlap one too!
Christine says
August 5, 2015 at 9:27 pmThanks so much, Kelly! Yes, polka dots are always fun for Easter. I also think the scallops could easily be turned into eggs…that would be a fun design too!
Kim~madeinaday says
August 3, 2015 at 9:38 amHi Christine,
Sharing your pretty wreath today via FB! I’m kind of a wreath nut too! :)
Kim
Jamie says
July 30, 2015 at 10:47 amThis is adorable! I especially love that icy blue vinyl color.
Jamie says
July 30, 2015 at 10:48 amAlso, what font did you use?
Christine says
July 30, 2015 at 11:17 amJamie, it’s called Janda Happy Day….how appropriate! ;)
Christine says
July 30, 2015 at 11:17 amThanks so much, Jamie! The icy blue vinyl is actually mint. I made my mockup thinking that I had some light blue vinyl, but when I checked my stash I didn’t….so the mint served as a nice substitute (and I like it better)! :)