I am going to show you the EASIEST most amazing way to make a live wreath. You will wonder, "why didn't I think of that"? That's what I thought when I learned this technique at a wreath decorating demo last year.
You will be able to make gorgeous, lush, full, live wreaths... FABULOUS!!!!
It will revolutionize your Christmas decor and gift giving... OR ... at least make people ooooh and ahhhh!
I made this wreath in under 40 minutes for a gift exchange!
I made this wreath in under 40 minutes for a gift exchange!
Materials:
any old artificial green wreath (the more *snarly the better)
fresh greens~ short-needled evergreen and other greens for interest
hot glue gun or hot glue pot
old garden gloves
ornaments or other Christmas decorations
bow
wreath making stand, optional
*snarly: adj... motley, beat up, worn out
*snarly: adj... motley, beat up, worn out
This is how the wreath first starts out... pretty thin and quite snarly! Fluff it up the best you can.
Use old garden gloves when cutting the evergreen.
Cut fresh greens. Use lots of Christmas tree greens like frazer, douglas, balsam or other short- needled, hardy evergreen branches for the base of the wreath.
I buy a Christmas tree that is a "B" grade or "second". It cost me about $20.00 for a 6 foot tree. My local greenhouse sells them. I cut it apart and keep the clippings in a trash can ready to use.
Cut the greens to match the size of wreath you are making.
Liberally glue the end of the cutting and glue on to the wreath. If you have a fuller wreath to begin with, stick the fresh cuttings deep into the wreath,
Continue to glue evergreen cutting to the wreath. Work in one small section at a time. DON'T go in one direction. Glue in your cuttings in all directions. Remember to make some stick straight out too!
Wear old garden gloves to glue... if you don't you WILL get burned!
I put my wreath on a small wreath stand to see how it will look placed vertically. Don't forget to glue cuttings in the inside of the wreath too!
We are just getting started... big difference already!
Work all the way around the wreath with the short-needled cuttings.
Now, it's time to add some other greens to the wreath... just not hemlock. It will drop it's needles very quickly.
I usually keep a basket of assorted greens.... I buy a few yards of ropings and cut it apart myself. A much better value!
For this wreath I added white pine, regular cedar, incense cedar and boxwood.
Starting with small clipping I glued them here and there, concentrating where they would be seen.
Shake the wreath vigorously to make sure there are no loose branches. Glue any loose ones back into the wreath. It's a good idea to do this outside, you will have some needle dropage!
Make a bow out of ribbon and wire in place.
Add some ornaments or other Christmas decorations such as berries, holly, silk poinsettia, etc.
I wanted to keep this wreath very subdued so I chose green balls with just a little bit of glitter.
Hot glue them liberally and put them in place.
Clean up any glue spiders and hang!
Here is a big wreath I made for my front door using this method...
You can read more about this wreath by clicking HERE
When Christams is over DO NOT throw away your wreaths. Just put them in a garbage bag and hang them up in a garage, shed or basement.
In the fall, take the bags outside and open them up. All the live greens will now be dead. Wearing garden gloves, give the dead greens a good tug and they will pull right out. Now you have a snarly wreath to use for more wreath making. You can also reuse any ornament or decor!
Do the same thing again next year... and the next...
I told you this was easy and FABULOUS!
Remember to
you never cease to amaze me with your talents! do you think you could do a tutorial on bow making? yours are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea and it looks so much fresher than the ones in the stores or on-line. I can imagine it must smell divine too. Thanks for another great idea Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteSam
Sooo pretty! Thank you so much for generously sharing your talents!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Yvonne! Thanks for showing how to doll up those old fake ones!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
It's beautiful! I love that you save and reuse your wreath base every year. We are lucky enough to be able to take lots and lots of leftover trimmings from a big box they set up at Home Depot, so I'm going to try this! Thanks Yvonne!
ReplyDeletexo, Andrea
This IS fabulous!!! And so easy!!! Next year I will have a home made LIVE wreath!!!! Love you girl!!! XOXIO
ReplyDeleteGood Evening Yvonne, What a fabulous idea, who would of thought of using an old wreath. The finished wreath is beautiful. Can I ask, how did you make that beautiful bow? I never seem to get mine as perfect. Thank you for showing us how to make this gorgeous wreath. Have a lovely evening. Best Wishes Daphne
ReplyDeleteI've had lots of questions about the bow! I think I'll do a post on that bow making technique tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your wreath secrets with us. And,bonus, you are going to share your bow making secrets too. I love that this is so cost effective at an expensive time of the year. You never cease to amaze me, Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteThe variety of greens add a lot of character. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL Yvonne!!! I love them both!
ReplyDeleteGreat Ideas!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous wreaths and a great tutorial Yvonne.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tutorial. I never thought of starting with an artificial wreath and adding to it. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Thanks so much, can't wait to try this technique. LOVE your blog!!
ReplyDeleteMary L
Fabulous...now show us how you made the bows!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! You picked the perfect combination of greens. I hadn't thought of cutting up a store front, smaller tree.. great idea. The red berries, the bow, and all the pretty ornaments are very pretty. We will look forward to seeing what you do with it next year (I like that fact that it can be recycled!)
ReplyDeleteThank you Yvonne, who would have thought and the grade B Christmas TRee, great idea. You are amazing and I truly LOVE stopping by your blog:). Happy Holidays to you & your family, Jen
ReplyDeleteWho knew? I never would have thought of using a fake wreath and gluing real greens on! Thanks for a wonderful tutorial! I also just usually burn my fingers when using my glue gun, and just suck it up, never thought of wearing gloves, DUH! Can't wait to do this next year! Merry Christmas,
ReplyDeleteJenna
Just beautiful! I want to try and make one of these before our Christmas party on Friday!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial and LOVE that wreath...especially the bow.
ReplyDeleteMy store-bought fresh wreath is still holding up, but my garland is looking pitiful and I was thinking of taking it down, but now, I'm going to use your tutorial to see if I can "spruce" it up by adding more fresh greens. Hmmm...I may just add a few more fresh sprigs to the wreath, too. Thanks for the inspiration!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
Babs
Hi, Yvonne
ReplyDeleteThese wreaths are beautiful! What a great idea, I am going to have to try this next year. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I have to say it just blessed my heart, thank you so much for your sweet comments. Have a Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Vanessa
Your wreath is absolutely gorgeous. I love live greenery and certainly have plenty around here. Merry Christmas Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT tutorial, Yvonne! I all for the "easiest" way to do anything as long as it turns out this great!!! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI did a post about that a few years ago. Much cheaper and easier than buying a form. I attached a French Horn to mine for the front door, the sky is the limit! :) Funny, I used that method to make my centerpieces for Sat's, party too. Did you see? They came out great.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of making a wreath like this before. Thanks so much for the tutorial. Your wreath is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, pinning! Looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness...I think I could do that. I always thought you had to make bundles and wire them onto a wire frame. Thank you for showing us this way, Yvonne! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays from my home to yours! Wow! This is lovely. I am visiting you via Wow Us Wednesdays and I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! This, in my opinion, is the PERFECT Christmas wreath! I love all the greenery, texture, variety, the bulbs and the bow. Thank you so much for sharing! This is first on my to-do list for next Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season!
ReplyDeleteThis is a must-do, Yvonne. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful wreath! I just love the big red bow, it looks so pretty! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank You Yvonne
ReplyDeleteI am going to make two wreaths, and I hope it works out on garland for my fireplace.
Wonderful ideas for wreath-making, Yvonne! And way easier than trying to wire clumps of greens, and then wiring the greens to the form. Also I love the idea of using another tree for your greens--very smart idea :)
ReplyDeleteI come to you from Normandy Life! I wish I'd found you before Christmas rather than after. Consider this bookmarked for future wreathmaking! Now I must dig a bit deeper here!
ReplyDeleteHow long would you say they say "green"? Can I keep it up for most of the month?
ReplyDeleteIt really depends! If it's out of the direct sunlight and the greens are fresh it will last a long time... almost a month. If some pieces get a little brown, just pull them out and glue in fresh ones. So easy! Thanks for asking!
DeleteTHANK YOU SO MUCH for this tutorial!!! I bought clippings at a local greenhouse, was completely excited, then got home and realized I had no clue. :) I picked up a gross fake wreath this morning and got to work. The finished wreath is exactly what I wanted and the process was so simple. I'm super pleased. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your wreath, I have wired them before, but never thought of hot glue, will certainly give this a try. And buying a small tree is a great idea, I never have enough greens. Hope that your New Year is off to a great start.
ReplyDeleteJeannie and Linda