The Wreath in my Blog Header-tutorial

 

     I have had several comments about the wreath in my blog header. I thought I would show you how it all came together. I don't really have a plan when I start one of these...I just know that I don't like things to be all "matchy, matchy" and so I put things on a wreath in a random way. For this fairly large wreath, I used 2 large hydrangea bushes (one blue, one green) that I took apart, separating the greenery from the blossom stems. I also used about a dozen white hydrangea blossoms. I used almost my entire bolt of blue burlap wired ribbon and about half of a larger bolt of green ribbon.

 

    I wanted to add a white birdhouse, but I didn't find one that was the right size...so, I bought the one above and pulled out my Annie Sloan paint and gave it a coat of white first and then trimmed the flower opening in a robin's egg blue.

 

 

     My first step is always to place some background greens on the wreath (an old wreath that I stripped the flowers and old glue off of). You will notice that the right side is an ivy and the left side has leaves...as I said, I don't like things to be symmetrical when it comes to florals...live ones or silk ones. After they are in place, I attach them with a glue gun.

 

     My next step was to add the white blossoms. I scattered them in singles and pairs around the wreath (and forgot to take a picture). The blue and green blossoms (some with leaves) were added next and then the glue gun was used to attach them. I didn't worry about spaces as I knew the ribbons would be filling in gaps.

 

     When using two colors of ribbon, I like to make my bow by using both colors, layered together as I make the loops. When the bow is complete, I simple pull the loops in opposite directions so that the colors mix together well and both colors show. You can see how to make a bow on one of my older posts-click here. Placing one large bow off to the side and letting the streamers go both up and down creates a more professional look. I always put a few "ruffles" in the streamers and touch the glue gun in a few random spots to hold them in place.

 

 

 

     Another "floral secret" is to cut a smaller piece of ribbon and pinch the middle to create a little insert. Touch the pinched point with the glue gun and insert one or more into the wreath.

 

     I actually had some sticks to add to come out the top, but I forgot to put them on the wreath. This hangs on a wall above our open stairway to the basement and I have to walk very carefully along a ledge with my husband behind me to catch me to hang it...I'm not taking it down and fixing it at this point! If you enlarge the picture, you can get a better idea of the random ribbon pieces that add that florist touch that you don't often think to do on a homemade wreath. Ribbon truly is the key to how a wreath turns out. You can make a beautiful wreath out of almost any greenery or flower, but don't skimp on your ribbon...use wired ribbon and lots of it!

 

 

I am joining Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday