Thursday 24 February 2011

A rustic wreath


After Christmas , my front-door always looks so bare without a wreath , so I decided to see what I could come up with as a wreath on an almost zero budget.
Here is how I made a rustic wreath to cheer up a dull day and a dull door.

I look around in the garden , and saw some potential in the bare branches of my miniature weeping willow.
It is vastly overcrowded and would not miss a few branches.
If you don't have a garden , you might take a trip to the country-side and seek out some willows...they grow very fast and will have lots of branches...just leave enough for other people !!!
So here was my fabulous for-free starting material.
I had some help of course with making the initial wreath...
Tilda is always fantastically helpful....she felt the branches needed trimming...she was right of course !!
First, you tie some branches together with twine , then form it into a circle , and attach the two ends by overlapping and then also securing with twine, like below.



You now have your willow wreath and you can start decorating.
I decided to add some moss and some ivy for a rustic effect.
Ivy is almost like a weed -you can find it practically everywhere- in cities as well as in the countryside.
It makes for a pretty decoration so you can always have a few ivy tendrils on top of your basic wreath.
Just tuck the ivy between the open bits of the wreath and secure the moss with twine to the wreath. I added some dried hydrangeas..which I had from last year-( this is why I grow them- they're a bit boring but perfect when they dry, as the colours are nice and faded).
You can then add a pretty ribbon and some more fresh flowers if you like.I added some hellebore from the garden.I just love the speckled insides and the flowers are so pretty and early in the year.

I made a posie with the hellebores , wrapped some damp kitchen-towel and aluminium foil around it to keep the flowers fresh, then wrapped moss around it
and added them to the wreath like this.
 Then it was time for a pretty ribbon- I decided to go for fuchsia, but a gingham ribbon would be just as sweet.
And then it was time to hang it on the front-door..
Here is a detail..
and some more detail..

And here is the final result.
You could also use it for a a nice spring flower display indoors like below.
Have a go- it's great fun !!

I am linking this to
Show and tell Wednesday
Wassup Wednesday
Transformation Thursday
Opne House Party Thursday
French Inspiration Thursday
Junkin Finds Friday
Frugalious Friday
Flaunt it Friday
The friday Flair link party from Whipperberry
the charm of home
At the picket fence
 Pink Saturday
saturday mornings strut your stuff
  smile with me saturday blog-hop 
A lovely crafty weekend link party
Make it Yours
Amaze me Monday
and Wow us Wednesdays link parties
I'm loving it Link party
 

26 comments:

Deb said...

Very pretty. I especially love the last photo. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5

Anonymous said...

Good job! The hot pink ribbon really makes the wreath stand out...Mel's Cabin

Custom Comforts said...

What a beautiful wreath. I'm sure it will stay fresh a long time on your front door. How very creative and free too! Newest follower.
Cindy

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That is really pretty and looks great for spring and summer. I would love a link back to the party added to your post, please. Thanks for joining WUW.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Hi! I found you at Show and Tell Friday...and I'm following you now. What a great wreath. I could have a wreath in every room and on every door! I especially like your ribbon. Come visit my blog when you have time. Nice to meet you!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful! Love the ribbon and how it pops! Thanks for joining Junkin Finds Friday. Would you please add a link back to the party! Thanks so much. hugs, Linda

Donnie said...

That is just gorgeous and made with natural materials too.

At The Picket Fence said...

Oh I just love it! It looks so spring-y and feminine and definitely cheers me up! Thank you so much for linking up to Inspiration Friday this week, my friend! :-)
Vanessa

Valarie said...

Absolutely gorgeous. I am so impressed that you made it. Have a lovely day.
xxoo Valarie

Mari said...

HELLO AND HAPPY PINK SATURDAY~WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WREATH :)

XO~MARI

The Charm of Home said...

That is beautiful. Very resourceful and pretty too. Could you please put a link back to the party in your post. Thank you! Thanks for linking up!
Sherry

Annesphamily said...

Very lovely and very good for the earth! I like that! You make a beautiful wreath. I hope you come join me soon. Anne HPS!

Gypsea Nurse said...

Beautiful! And thanks so much for the tutorial!
I am trying to get the hang of making wreaths!!
Happy PS!
Smiles~
C

Unknown said...

Love it!!!!

Happy Pink Saturday!
Hugs
Charo

Rhonda said...

It was great to read your blog on wreaths! I have made several lately!
Looking forward to getting to know you!
rhonda :-)

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

Happy Pink Saturday!


Love this wreath, very elegant! Are those Snow Drops?


~ Gabriela ~

Modern Country Lady said...

Hi Gabriela, thanks for the compliment! Yes, you are quite right, those are snowdrops.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

What a beautiful wreath~ I love how you have it displayed on the table behind the other flowers too- so pretty! Thank you for linking up to Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Entertaining Women said...

A lovely transitional wreath to carry you into Spring in beautiful fashion. Thank you for the how-to and for sharing your charming design. Cherry Kay

Kelly said...

Very beautiful! I love that you made your own wreath! No buying a form for you. Tilda is just precious, and tons of help I'm sure. My latest post is actually about all the "help" my cats give me. :) Gotta love 'em though!


Kelly

V I N T A G E O L O G I E said...

A wonderful wreath tutorial ... I will be gathering all by willow branches from now on ... and to think I've been throwing them away ... sheesh! Thank you for your inspiration and sharing it at Voila!

xo
Jill

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Beautiful wreath, the pink ribbon makes it pop! I love it!
Kelly

blessings said...

How pretty! Thank you for sharing the how-to with us. My door has the same "nakedness" in those months between Christmas and Spring. I've left the ice skates hanging but I think it's time for something a little more colorful!

Blessings... Polly
French Cupboard
Counting Your Blessings

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

The wreath is beautiful and I love the dried hydrangeas. The white tureen is wonderful too.
Thanks for sharing this at my new party.
Hugs,
Sherry

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

Gorgeous wreath. Simple and elegant. ~~Sherry~~

kara@elements-interiors.net said...

Thank you for linking this up to WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!
The Hydrangeas stole my heart! They are my FAV flower!!!

Hope to see you next Wednesday:)

xoxokara