Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
This week, I had great fun decorating wreaths with creative friends Randy Hinz and Patricia Decker. We turned a series of plain, balsam-covered rings into one-of-a-kind door hangings…and so can you!
Pictured above is a wreath that we decorated almost exclusively with gleanings from my garden. You can make this wreath for own door, too, using the following materials:
A double-sided, balsam-covered wreath, 22-inches in diameter
Hand pruners
Green floral wire
Wire cutter
Sprays of white pine and cedar
Sprigs of rosehips (winter berry is a nice addition, too)
Three medium-sized pinecones
A length of ribbon, one-inch in width (for the bow)
1. Grooming. Using the hand pruners, trim off any exuberant bits of balsam to give the wreath a fairly circular shape.
2. White pine and cedar. Insert sprays of white pine and cedar, to enhance the wreath’s color and texture.
3. Pinecones. Wrap a 10- to 12-inch length of floral wire around the base of each pinecone, tucking it between the cone’s open scales (if the scales of your pinecones are tightly closed, bake them for 30 minutes or so in a 300-degree oven; the heat will cause the scales to open). Use the tail of the wire to attach cone to wreath. I arranged one cone at the wreath’s top, and one at each side, to form a triangle.
4. Rosehips. Tuck sprigs of rosehips (or winterberries) along the upper two-thirds of the wreath.
5. Ribbon. Tie the ribbon into a bow, and wind wire around its center. Use the tale of wire to attach the bow to the bottom of the wreath.
6. The Hanging Ring. Push a U-shaped, 12- to 18-inch length of wire through the top of the wreath, twisting it over itself and around your finger to form a secure loop.
Patricia Decker made her own wreath from the same basic materials described earlier, but she gave it a whimsical flourish by adding a collection of miniature ornaments. You can find such ornaments at a thrift shop. In lieu of a bow, Patricia wove a thin strand of ribbon through the works. I love the playfulness of her creation. What do you think?
And here is Randy’s wreath, a luxurious composition of white pine, cedar, clementines, dried yarrow and wild rosehips, with a cream-colored finishing bow. He has donated this masterpiece to our local historical society, who will auction it off later this month at a fundraising event.
Odds and ends from the winter garden, perhaps a collection of miniature ornaments, and a colorful bow — these are the easily-obtained objects that can transform a plain, balsam-covered ring into a glamorous holiday wreath that is uniquely yours.
Questions? Comments? Post them below!
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Carol says
Lovely…just lovely. I don't know which one I like the best!
Eric says
Great idea. I imagine you can save a good deal of dough by decorating the wreaths yourselves.
Gardenlady says
I like all of the wreaths pictured, and the two that are hanging on doors in particular. Very elegant!
Janis in Chicago says
Kevin, thanks for the oven-tip for pinecones. I had collected a bunch of tiny cones from the pine tree in my front yard. They were tightly closed, so I couldn't tuck a wire into them. I tried baking them, as you suggested, and indeed the little scales opened right up. They gave off a nice scent, too, during “cooking.”
Donna says
I love the wreath with the little balls and bunches of red berries! And is that a face I see peeking through its opening?