Woodland Wreath~ DIY

The Woodland wreath is a lovely wreath for your Fall decorating, it is also very natural and has a slight rustic and primitive feel. 
If you are searching for a craft that is hands on, and are eager to take a walk with Mother Nature this is the perfect craft for you to do this Fall.

This Woodland wreath also comes with a short Tale of a little grandson with sun kissed blonde hair, brown eyes and very busy hands.

The majority of the goodies on this wreath were collected by the grandson, and his Mimi as they spent several Fall afternoons on walk abouts in the warm afternoon sun in Sacramento. The two of them spent time outside while his Mommy, and new baby sister rested inside their home.

The little brown eyed grandson talked alot...
about fire trucks, garbage trucks, his friends and such.
He found many treasures, some of which did not end up on this wreath, but were still carefully gathered and placed in the paper bag.

After many afternoons of searching, walking, chatting and savouring these precious moments there were finally enough treasures to actually make a wreath.

A little high pitched voice rang throughout the house, proclaiming with excitement that 

all of the woodland treasures were now going to be hot glued onto the grapevine wreath.

Something the grandson had never done before.

A plan had been set in motion, and a new tool was about to be used.

If you have ever been around a young lad, you know that they enjoy gizmos, gadgets and using wires, mechanisms, pulls and gears.

Making a Woodland wreath is very messy.
Best to make them outside on a back patio, or in a garage.
The sweet grandson sat on the Mimi's lap, and together they glued their woodland finds onto grapevine the wreath.
Two Woodland Wreaths were made, one for the Mimi, and one for the boy.

This Mimi had a fantastic time with her grandson and you know, it was such a wonderful way to connect with him. 
It was the simplest of adventures, and the quality of time spent together was the main ingredient.
It really goes back to living a traditional, somewhat Old Fashioned life style, where lasting bonds, lessons learned, and meaningful relationships are built on quality time together with those you love.
It felt good to step away from the commercialism of life.

Supplies needed for Woodland Wreath~

Grapevine Wreath (any size)
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks,
Twine or burlap ribbon
Pine Cones
Acorns,
Magnolia seed pods
Sweet gum seed pods
Dried Camellia blossoms
Pecans
Assorted pods


Directions For Woodland Wreath

Hot glue layers of pods, pine cones, blossoms, nuts and repeat until desired fullness.
Wrap twine or burlap around the wreath.


I wrapped my wreath in a garbage bag and squeezed it into my suitcase to bring home.
It survived, and only needed a few repairs...smile.


xoxox

Please Join Me~

An Extraordinary Day

DIY- Patriotic Summer Wreath

You all know that I live in Texas and I am just a little bit proud of the Lone Star State.

Did you know that our super size state is synonymous with Football,

Longhorns (with horns that can extend 7 feet!)

We make a State Fair Worthy Chili with a heap of heat and I mean heat-blazing heat,

with a long burn.

Here in Texas we do the two step, Love Willie Nelson and the gang, and enjoy a Friday night on the

patio with some Tex Mex.

As I was designing this wreath I wanted to incorporate a little natural, some patriotism and

a symbol of our State, which you might think would be cowboy boots, but in our household

it's jalapenos.

Seems we add jalapenos to just about everything now, salads, mashed potatoes and even grits.

I did not used to be like this, but after all of these years of living here, I crave some

spice and heat and myself.

So when I found these precious bright red jalapenos from Hobby Lobby-I snapped them up

quicker than a wink.

I am thinking that you could add some symbol which your state is known for as well or, if you like

a little spice and style of this one, then add jalapenos too!

Second goal in designing this wreath was simplicity and keeping the process under one hour.

Here is how it all unfolded-even the hubby was amazed by my speed...

I am learning, I really am!

I kept this DIY wreath project super simple by purchasing a grapevine wreath, two bunches of petite

faux flowers in red and white, a little greenery as a filler, wooden star, jalapenos and burlap ribbon.

Step 1- Using Florist Clippers cut all of the stems off of the larger stalk and separate into sections 

Step 2- Weave all of the red stems into the grapevine wreath, followed by the white, then the

greenery in even increments so the wreath will be balanced. Secure with florist wire, if you feel you

need extra security.


Step 3-Each jalapeno has a wire on it, so I used the wire to secure the jalapeno to the grapevine.

After I was certain all of the faux flowers, greenery and jalapenos were secured I added the little

wooden Fourth of July Star.

I thought a burlap bow with some red and just a hint of a pattern would bring all of the components

together and complement the natural feel of this grapevine wreath.

This is a great and easy DIY project and I love the fact that I did not have to use a hot glue gun!

This is also a no-burn project...smiles...

Just in case you might have noticed the new look of my blog I am thanking my friend

Linda from Life and Linda.  She has spruced it up and made it a happy breeze to navigate.

Thank you for stopping by and I am looking forward to our next visit!

xoxoxo


Please Join Me~

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Cozy Little House

Dwellings

French Country Cottage

Ivy And Elephants

Think Spring Think Wreaths

As you know by now wreaths are my thing, along with gardening and of course my family!

Wreaths are so versatile, they can be hung on armories, hutches, desks,

 mantles, doors and even on the backs of chairs-(someday I am going to do that)

I have not made quite as many wreaths as I did in the previous years, I think I wore my fingers out

or had too many hot glue burns...and I have also changed up my style some...

I have made three wreaths these past few weeks for my three daughters.

This is the last one, which I will be taking with me when I leave for Chickasha Oklahoma

this afternoon to celebrate Good Friday with Rebecca and Molly and then off to an Easter Egg hunt!

All three of my girls were looking for natural wreaths-

They did not want deco-mesh, sunshine yellow, rosy red flowers or large bows.

So I began to look through numerous magazines, various websites

and had them send me links to wreaths they were really smitten with.

To make this wreath I used a natural 14 inch grapevine wreath,

freshly picked green lace fern, purple premium washed eucalyptus,

and forest green silver dollar eucalyptus, I love the smell of fresh eucalyptus.

All three of the wreaths were part of my Easter gifts to my girls.

This is the first wreath I made and this is for my Samantha.

She hung it on her hutch in her dining room, if you'd like to take a peek, you can see it in her home.

Samantha has her own blog Crafty Texas Girls.

I tucked this wreath in my suitcase when I went to visit Amanda and she hung it on her front door.

Oh, and in between making these wreaths I read a short story, a heartwarming parable which I have

been meaning to share with you.

Gently written by author W. Phillip Keller who expresses his love for nature and God.

March was a good Month, many changes and many blessings.

What is on your reading list?


xoxoxxo


Please Join Me~

Daily Cup Of Mrs. Olson

Ivy and Elephants

Dwellings

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Cozy Little House

Summer Grapevine Wreath

Such a busy Summer but not too busy to make a wreath or two, so today I am sharing

with you one of my my late Summer Wreaths.

I enjoy the process of collecting materials to assemble my wreaths, sometimes I even 

challenge myself to shop the bargain aisle to see just what treasures may have been 

overlooked by weary shoppers.  

I was in luck a few weeks back when I found these 75 percent off flowers and butterflies.

I was also feeling a little bit whimsical, our Texas heat had not set in yet, and the notion of

fluttering butterflies, fairies and magic actual seemed a little bit possible as I strolled along

the byways of life.

I adore nature, I revel in the beauty of it all and I am always amazed and thrilled by

the glorious creatures that our Heavenly Father has created for us.  

This little wreath is a reflection of those thoughts and feelings.

Maybe it is because I was raised on a Farm, 

Maybe it is because I grew up embracing nature in the beautiful West,

Maybe it is because it is just the way it is meant me to be,

But it matters to me to cherish and nourish those feelings that nature

brings my way.

The magic,

hope, wonder, and beauty

which we sometimes loose when

we "grow up."












  And do we ever truly grow up?


  And do we ever truly want to?

                         



I suppose it was just a magical sort of day in general, because even the early morning

shadows caught my eye.

So, when I finished twisting the last wire and placing the last dollop of hot glue on this orange 

polka dot bow, I stepped back and snapped this photo.

It was just that sort of day...

Leaving you with one of my favorite poems from Emily Dickinson. 

I took this photo just a couple of weeks ago while we were in Albuquerque New Mexico,  I 

was thrilled when I saw the Sandia Mountains and could not resist the late afternoon 

shadows as well.

                                                                   Sandia Mountains





Please Join Me~


Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Natasha In Oz


Nancherrow

Pumpkins On A Wreath

Decorating with Pumpkins day 4-  Must they be orange?

Absolutely not! Pumpkins may be any color you choose and this

is where the decorating fun begins.  For this wreath I chose bright 

purple pumpkins with oodles of glitter. ( I adore glitter, one of the 

things in life that makes me smile...)

When making this wreath my inspiration came from the Addams

family.  I am sure you are familiar with the adventures of this 

blissfully macabre family.  I wanted to create a wreath that they 

would proudly hang on their front door! 

I began with a grapevine wreath, in order to make it a bit more

festive for the Halloween season I spray painted it a light gray.

Keeping with the Addams family theme I remembered that Morticia 

did like black roses and she also had a certain flair about her so I 

added some black daisies with bling centers. 

I do like big bows and deco mesh just seemed like the perfect 

material for the colorful theme that I was going with.  Since I was

envisioning more of a feminine Halloween wreath I also added a 

bright, pink and bold witches shoe.

Enjoy and experiment with all of the bright and colorful pumpkins

for your fall decorating themes! 


Please Join Me At These Parties:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

DIY Vintage Chic

No Minimalist Here

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Vintage Grapevine Valentine Wreath

Okay, I am going to warn you ahead of time-I've gone a bit 

overboard with Valentine Wreaths!  This post will be a first in a 

series of three on Valentine Wreaths!  I guess cupid really got me 

this year!

My daughter Amanda, made this vintage wreath and I love it!! 

Several years ago, I made and sold wreaths for a local garden 

center-I enjoyed making them so very much.  Just when my 

business and talent were taking off, I became very sick and 

everything came to a halt.  But here I am again enjoying this 

creative outlet - I just opened up my shop on Etsy, if you would like

to take a little peek.

Amanda used my florist clippers and florist wire to shape and 

attach these precious, delicate- almost paper like red buds.  

I purchased some pink feathers, just because!

Isn't this wreath gorgeous?  I don't think I am going to let her put 

it in her suitcase when she leaves for Georgia!

Has Cupid been to your home yet?


Please Join Me~


 Cozy Little House

 Crafty Texas Girl