Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial

This happens to be the worlds cheapest and easiest wreath tutorial.  I was inspired by what else... Pinterest.  I randomly searched "wreaths" on afternoon and you wouldn't believe how many awesome ideas popped up!  Seriously... go search it!  I ended up making this one because I not only loved it, but I had plenty of dried hydrangeas so I knew I could make it quickly and easily and for zero dollars. 

Supplies:

- piece of cardboard

- dried hydrangeas

- hot glue gun and glue

- scissors

- length of string

For me it made more sense to make a wreath for out of cardboard because the flat back worked well for hanging it on a wall and the dried hydrangeas are so light weight that the cardboard will be plenty sturdy. I used the old elementary school method of making a perfect circle.  Tie a length of string to your pencil at the desired circumference of your circle.  Draw around while holding tight in the center.  Shorten the length for your inner circle.  Cut out.  If you are like me you will not care if your circle isn't 100% perfect because its going to be covered up.   If you are like my husband you will start over and do it until it's perfect therefore wasting precious time...

I only have one picture of the glue it on step because it's kind of a no brainer.  Add a length of ribbon to the back for hanging if needed first.  Next, cut the stems from your hydrangeas  and cover a surface area of the form with hot glue.  Stick your hydrangeas  down putting even pressure so it will stick but taking care not to crush it.  Continue until you're finished!

You will have to go back at the end taking small cuttings to fill in the gaps.  I think this wreath took me a total of 15 minutes from start to finish!  I have had it a few different places and I like it everywhere.  I have a love affair with hydrangeas though and my house is surrounded by them.  Their leaves are just now beginning to come out for the year and I'm already excited! 

I have since moved it to the dining room.  Quick  note... if you are going to be hanging it from a window or in front of a mirror take into account what the back looks like.  I ended up covering the back of mine with strips of burlap so it would look a little better from the other side. 

Check out my new dining room chairs!!!  More on those later this week along with the beginning of the dining room makeover.  (See the old ones here)

A note on drying hydrangeas.
I had the dried hydrangeas for this wreath already from my yard last year but drying them is super easy even if you buy them from the grocery store.  Basically display them in a vase with water and they will slowly dry as the water evaporates.  They usually retain their color but it may be a little more muted.  It doesn't always work as well with flower shop hydrangeas but I have had plenty of luck.  If you are planning on drying them from your own bush wait until the second half of summer when the start to feel slightly papery.  They seem to do perfectly from here.  If there are a couple brown petals they are easily removed once dried.  The funny part about this is this is the way I have always dried my hydrangeas but before typing it here I thought I better Google to see the "real" way.  Love it when I just happen to do things right the first time... that's not usually the way things go for me! 

This is an easy peasy and potentially free beautiful wreath.  I am thinking it is worth it for you to go ahead and plant yourself a hydrangea or two if you don't have one already!  Now is the time! 
I hope you are having this amazing spring weather like I am!  I am headed outside to enjoy it and start working on weeding my flower beds, doing a little pruning, and getting the ground ready to add annuals in a few weeks!  YAY!!  Spring is the best time of year!  Stay tuned for some gardening posts and tutorials coming up.

Kandi

We Party Here:
http://www.alittletipsy.com/
 http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/.

Canvas Rag Wreath and Gallery Walls

I was looking back at some of our old posts, and I came across my Canvas Heart Garland; I think I could have done a better job explaining how to make my Canvas Rag Wreath and I want to talk a little about gallery walls. I have absolutely loved this wreath and garland. I think it looks great on my family gallery wall. In the neutral colors it is so versatile, but it can also be made with bright colored fabrics to go with any party theme.  So here is a quick tutorial on how to make these wreaths. 

Here's the Canvas Rag Wreath on my gallery wall. Have you noticed both Kandi and I love creating gallery walls? Do you have a gallery wall in your home? Or does the thought of creating a gallery wall intimidate you?  Creating one is really simple, just pick out a common theme.  In this wall above, I have a couple of common themes....gold frames, and golden shells were used, and all the pictures/art have an antique quality.  What makes this wall special to me are the pictures of my Grandma (front and center), and her father (upper right corner).  I lay my frames out on the floor and establish a pattern before I start poking holes in my wall. If you missed Kandi's Gallery wall on her Play Room Makeover, here it is.  Kandi used three colors in her wall,(white/green/black) and kept all of her pictures to black and white. She has also mixed in a couple of pieces of art, and a mirror.  I know she is still looking for the perfect H to finish this wall.  (But knowing her, it will never be finished!) Isn't this a great family gallery wall!

For more examples of Gallery Walls check out my Pinterest Page
Rebekah Moody

 Back to our project, and a wider look at the gallery wall....

Quick Canvas Rag Wreath Tutorial:

Your Supplies:  Wire wreath form, Scissors, and Canvas Drop Cloth (Painter's Cloth)

I make a little cut at one end of the canvas, and then tear my strip of canvas so that my edge is ragged.  (Canvas is great to work with because it tears easily in a straight line) Strips should 1" wide by 8" long.  You need what seems like a million of these strips! I like my wreath really full.

The last step is to tie your strips onto the metal wreath frame.  And repeat!  About a million times!  This project takes me about 3 hours.  But it is so worth it!

Finished!

Here it is, again.  The process is the same for the garland.  I used a clothes line.  Cut to your desired length, tie knots in each end.  Then start tying on your canvas rags.

Hope you enjoyed project.  It is an easy "no sew" way to bring fabric into your home for any holiday or party! 

Rebekah