Week 2- A Simple Wreath

I have a wonderful friend and thankfully, she is also my neighbor, Stevie Harvie. She is truly an inspiration to me. She has taught me the finer points of jam making. She also makes some of the most amazing liquor concoctions ie...Ollieberry Cordial (I am sure you have never tasted something more amazing ;)

For the past few Christmas' Stevie has helped myself and another friend make Christmas wreaths. This year she let me just wing it while she was at my side. While she was watching me she found some birch tree branches laying around and made a very simple, elegant wreath.

I asked her to come over last week and help me make some. Here is how to make a very simple wreath out of any wispy, tree branch. Willow, birch, vine or any other wispy tree branch will work. I know some of us are shrouded in snow and ice, if you are lucky enough to have some sunshine anytime soon, go out on a little nature walk and try this wreath.

1. You will want nice long lengths of vine to work with - anything from 3 feet to 10 feet is a workable length. You want about 10-12 strands. *this is where the kiddos come in...they can help gather the strands of vines, or other trinkets to add to the wreath.

Some sort of birch tree outside our home.

We used some of this green hedge (I have no idea what it is? let me know if you know?) for one of the decorated wreaths.

2. Trim off the leaves if you want, I left mine on.

3. Use two strands and begin coiling the vines. This is the first round of vine in a circle slightly smaller than the size you want. I usually begin with a coil of two or three rounds before weaving. You will build on this set of rounds, and the wreath will grow as you keep coiling around tucking the ends in as you go. Pick up another strand and start where you left off, keep tucking as you go. Keep going until you reach the desired thickness that you want. You can make it as tight or as loose as you want it. It depends on what sort of accents you want in your wreath. Loose is less formal, and lets you weave in decorations, tighter is more uniform and you can just leave the wreath plain, which is very elegant and simple.

4. Attach a wire or string at the back for hanging.

5. Look about your yard or landscape for seasonal foliage. I got some odd looking berries from a friend. They are kina pink which reminds me of Spring or use whatever you desire, the goal is to make it what you want and what you fancy! It does not have to perfect.

A decorated wreath and a plain one.

I tucked in the dried berries. You could use anything, really.

The finished wreath...you can hand it anywhere...outside, inside. It really makes winter seem a little less...frigid.

I have these hangers in front of my home...I liked the way the wreath looked hanging off the hook..esp with my karma guy.

Now, go and make one! Have fun and let the kiddos in on the hunting gathering...xoC