As the holidays approach, many restless crafters will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads—along with lace, ribbon and vintage ornaments.
This festive dance should be done to the tune of “My Favorite Things,” as this is the time of year to be surrounded by all of our favorite things that remind us of the past and warm our hearts.
So what do you do with all those special odds and ends?
This year, deck the halls with all the things that bring you joy by creating a one-of-a-kind wreath!
Gather a few sentimental odds and ends; then incorporate other items that make you smile.
They don’t have to be Christmas-themed items, just pretty little treasures that tell the story of you and your loved ones.
Soon your pile of goodies will become the makings of a fabulous holiday wreath.
Materials:
- Artificial pine wreath form, with a sturdy metal base
- Misc. odds and ends
- Vintage ornaments
- Photocopies or downloads of vintage ephemera
- Ribbon, buttons and spools of thread
- Handkerchiefs
- Vintage lace
- Miscellaneous small holiday decorations
- Bottlebrush trees
- Scraps of fabric
- Small teacups
- Children’s mittens
- Hot-glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Florist wire and snips
- Scissors
Instructions:
- Cover your worktable or surface. Make a sturdy wire loop on the back of your wreath form strong enough to support the weight of the finished product. It is best to prop up the wreath to see the entire form as you are working.
- Add the heaviest items to the wreath first. Wire teacups firmly to the base and space them equally.
- To attach handkerchiefs, hold the handkerchief in the center, allowing the edges to hang down. Tightly wrap a wire around the center and leave the ends long. Turn the hankie right side up and wire it into the wreath. This will create the look of fabric “flowers.”
- To attach the ornaments: Old glass ornaments are very fragile, so handle with care. Use florist wire to attach them to the form between the teacups.
- Make paper cones out of the photocopies of old cards or the downloaded images. Simply form a cone with your hands, and glue or tape the edge. Tuck the cones into the wreath and secure with a dab of hot glue. Make sure to position them upright.
- Birds’ nests are easy to make by cutting long strips of vintage fabric. Wrap a strip in the palm of your hand to create the basic shape of a nest. Use fabric glue or hot glue to stick the ends together; then add a small artificial egg and tuck the nest into the wreath.
- To attach odds and ends, determine which pieces require glue and which require wire. Wooden spools, buttons and bottlebrushes can be easily attached with wire, while items like silk flowers, berries and colored pencils are best attached using hot glue.
- This is your story told in the nooks and crannies of a festive holiday wreath—there are no rules! Fill the wreath to maximum capacity with all your favorite things. Tuck in a few telltale Christmas items like ornaments and holly, and the results will be magical. You will be creating tomorrow’s heirloom to be appreciated and loved for years to come.
May