Halloween Wreath: Attempt #1

We bought a new front door a few weeks ago and now I am dressing it up like it is a small dog. I have found all kinds of new outfits for my door on Pinterest. This was my first attempt at a Halloween wreath. Okay, so it's not *that* bad but this is not what I had envisioned at all. I wanted to share what I learned about wreath making so that anyone else interested in giving it a try won't make my same, amateur mistakes.
Amateur Mistake #1: Impulse Wreath Making
I decided to make a wreath on Sunday afternoon and was hellbent on making it happen. Many stores were closed on Sunday forcing me to Michael's with their high prices and minimal inventory. I spent almost $50 on wreath supplies. I thought at least I would have enough ribbon left over to make another one but nope! I used the entire spool of all the ribbons that I bought. My lesson learned: Plan ahead and scour dollar stores and Big Lots for cheap wreath making supplies.

Amateur Mistake #2: Buying a Styrofoam Floral Ring
This dumb thing was almost $10 and then I used an entire spool of ribbon to cover it. I have since found this idea and am kicking myself. http://thedishydecorator.blogspot.com/2011/09/burlap-wreath.html
There is also a pin on Pinterest going around that suggests using plumbing insulation foam. Also a good idea!

Amateur Mistake #3: Geomesh
Geomesh is the black mesh-y stuff on my wreath. I bought roll of this about 12 inches wide. Now I know that a roll about twice that wide would have been more for my money and would have given the wreath a very full look. It also could have been attached to styrofoam using floral pins (kind of like a cross between a push pin and a staple).

Amateur Success: Monogram Letter
I impressed myself with my forethought here. I did not attach my letter to the wreath but rather hung it on the same nail behind the wreath so that I can use it with any wreath that I hang up. I may make a gold one too and just switch them out so my door has appropriate accessories for any outfit.

So that is my sage advice after one wreath making attempt. I will post a picture of my next one soon. If you have any tips that you have learned, I would love to hear them!