Gather Supplies Wreath Blank Mesh Ribbon, 4 to 5 inches wide Contrasting ribbon, 1 inch wide Large Bow Large embellishment (or coordinating collection of smaller embellishments) Colored Balls in different sizes -- limit to two colors, but can use several different finishes Small zip ties, green or black Scissors Do a Rough Layout Plan where bow should be placed Determine where largest embellishment should go Plan where next largest embellishments should go -- should be an odd number and somewhat evenly spaced Plan how largest ribbon will lead the eye around the wreath -- zig zag, straight, loops Fasten elements securely Begin with the largest elements and fasten securely When you have fastened the elements planned in the rough layout, ... [Read More]
Wreath
How to make a large, lighted outdoor wreath
Christmas time in a new house totally different from the last abode. How to decorate for Christmas? We were spoiled with our 10 minute exterior decorating. Ease of installation in potentially frigid air was at the top of our list. Weather is a huge factor and everything has to be able to withstand wind and snow. Our something new needed to be simple enough that it could be done in an afternoon without breaking the budget. Yet large enough that it would make an impact on its own. That large triangle at the front of the house – yes, the one over the garage door – was calling out for something. That space needed: A wreath, of course. The previous owners, who built the house, planned ahead with outlets under the eaves. The wreath could be lighted very easily. There was even a hook at just ... [Read More]
Elegant Halloween
Halloween is not just for kids. Nor does it have to be creepy. Fun as those things are, there are options. How about an Edwardian Halloween? Elegant and classy. More Edgar Allan Poe than Friday the Thirteenth. A pumpkin covered in black lace. A stack of books. Story -- that bottom book -- the one labeled 'Spells"-- is an old geometry book from high school. I loved geometry and asked the teacher what kind of job used geometry. He didn't know so he made me set out in the hall for the rest of the class. My first job as a landscape designer used geometry. Lots of it. And now I've found another use for geometry -- the base for a pumpkin. So there, Mr. McC! A glittered owl. She looks wise. She probably knows what careers use geometry. And lots of other things. An ... [Read More]
How to Make a Halloween Wreath
I love wreaths of all kinds. No idea why! I just like the looks of a lush full circle hanging on a door, a window, a mirror. It just sings! I first saw mesh wreaths on Kristen's Creations and fell in love with the fullness and possibilities! It helps that her site is full of gorgeousness and rich colors and tons of creativity and inspiration. Halloween seemed the perfect time to try my hand at making a mesh wreath. I knew I wanted to use a feather boa -- just for fun. I hesitated because I didn't want to use greenery for Halloween and the black wreaths I found weren't . . . ummm . . . fun. And fastening the mesh to the not round grapevine wreaths I found seemed rather daunting. And then. . . . I found the solution at HobLob. A sixteen inch work wreath -- two levels of ... [Read More]
