I am embarrassed to say that the wreath below has been hanging on our front door well past it’s expiration date. While at one time it held a profusion of blooms, like any beautiful garden the flowers had wilted and faded away blossom by blossom. The time had come for an extreme makeover.
I thought about the various wreaths and themes I had seen around blogland. There were of course the wreaths enhanced by jute webbing or burlap…
As well as wreaths made from coffee filters, which I believe originate from an Anthropologie store display first seen almost 3 years ago...
I adored both elements. I wondered if I could use them both on the same wreath. I decided it couldn’t hurt to try.
A previous post covered the huge roll of jute webbing I bought for a song and the various uses that I found in which to use it. Trying to use things I already had, I thought about other ways to create paper blossoms as I am not a coffee drinker. The thought popped up that several months ago I had purchased two Martha Stewart crepe paper bridal bouquets at Wal Mart on clearance for $2.00.
I threw the brightly colored bouquets out into the hot Arizona sun for a few days so that the color would fade to just a whisper of pink. Afterwards each flower was clipped off to a single bud. I made some strong sun tea and dipped the tips of the blossoms into the tea and let them dry. This added another layer of color. I collected the jute webbing and flowers I had on hand and decided to really max out on favorite themes. The faux birds and eggs were purchased at Hobby Lobby for less than $3.00. The nests were an item I already had.
Playing around with the webbing, I first continuously wrapped the wreath, then I made some bows and finally decided I just wanted a few pieces of webbing. It was then I used a bit of black craft paint to add a French message of welcome.
Here is a close up of the tacked ruffles. I did this on my heavy duty sewing machine. Do not try this unless you own a machine that can sew through burlap, canvas and denim.
Then it was time to bust out the hot glue gun. There was no rhyme or reason, I just kept gluing on paper flowers, birds and silk flowers.
I layered the webbing to create a show ribbon of sorts to high light a nest filled with dried Spanish moss.
Around and around and around she goes, where she stops…honestly I am still adding to and fiddling with the wreath but needed to photograph it for today’s post.
As we have a large covered walkway I thought my small bistro set could use a bit of French flair as well. In the 110+ heat not many plants can survive. I think it adds a bit of Ooh la la.
Can a person go overboard with one too many themes?
Laura
