1. Garden Hose Wreath By: Dianne Benoit

2. #1 Problem on Bug List Dislike Junk / Clutter Like many other people who like to work around the house, I sometimes buy things and put them aside with good intentions. Then, the intended project falls wayside and I end up with unused items in the garage or closets. I decided it was pastime to start using some of these unused or leftover things. I needed a new wreath for my front door since my winter wreath was still hanging. So, I decided to look around the garage for something to make one. Thus, my soaker hose springtime wreath was born.

3. Log of Events 2/18/11—I decided to make a springtime wreath. 2/19/11---I looked around the garage for possible items to create a wreath form. I found an old extension cord, but I decided that it would be too flimsy and too short. Then I found a piece of rope, but I decided that this would also be too flimsy for a form and I didn’t want a ranch or western themed wreath. Next, I found an old dirty garden hose. I decided it was too bulky, stiff, and dirty for a form for my front door and I didn’t like the bright color or the stripes. However, it would work for a garden shed door or it would add interest to a garden if hung on a shepherd’s hook or a wooden fence. 2/20/11—I searched the garage again and found an unused, brand-new soaker hose. I decided that it would work great because it was very lightweight, pliable; but stiff enough to hold a shape, slightly smaller in diameter than a regular garden hose, and the ends were covered so insects could not enter or build nests. However, I wasn’t sure about the color—BLACK! Anyway, it was the best useable thing that I found. So, I decided that I would work with it. 3/4/11—I uncoiled and untwisted the soaker hose and recoiled it into a looser shape. 3/7/11—I looked in my closets for possible items that I could use to decorate the wreath. I found some ribbon, two small birds, and a bird’s nest left from another project. I also found some silk flowers, but I decided that the stems were too short and stiff to bend and drape for my wreath. So, I decided to purchase some greenery and silk flowers with longer stems so that I could shape them to my wreath. 3/12/11—I shopped for some silk flowers and greenery for the wreath. 3/18/11---I started manipulating the hose into an oval shape and used pieces of wire to hold it into an oval shape. I cut the hose and pieced it so that I could use both ends with the hose attachments. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to cut with a regular pair of scissors. I stopped up the openings on the cut ends to prevent insects from entering. I also marked the center. 3/19/11---I attached black cable ties to the wreath and removed the wires that were holding it. I decorated the wreath with silk flowers, birds, and a bow that I made from the ribbon. Lastly, I hung the wreath on my door, sat outside, and sipped a Strawberry Abita Beer while admiring it. Hello Spring!

4. My Invention WELCOME FRIENDS!