What’s a change in season without a new wreath on the front door? (Did your mom do that, too?) I’d always feel a spark of joy when the Autumn wreath went up, and then the Christmas wreath soon after — it even played Jingle Bells when someone opened the front door. (Yes, have I not clearly documented that my Mom is actually the Spirit of Christmas?)
Once upon a holiday break from college, I tried to make Martha Stewart’s fresh cranberry wreath, which involves skewering hundreds of Ocean Spray berries with toothpick halves and sticking them into a styrofoam form. After the first hour, when I was grumpy and only 1/8 done, my mom reminded me that Martha’s cranberries froze outside, and the Arizona heat would turn mine into cranberry sauce.
Yeah, so these 11 wreaths are awesome and easy.
ONE
TWO
The burlap moment continues to engulf us, and I think we’ll never be able to let it go. (Where has it been all these years? How did we not know?) Phoenix’s Kelly Bird turned burlap and tulle into these lovelies, which she’ll help you make on Sunday, Oct. 9, at JAM, the artisans’ boutique in Scottsdale. You can also buy them at JAM (burlap is $45, tulle is $25) or follow her directions below. Thank you, Kelly!
To make the burlap wreath:
Cut three yards of burlap into strips that are about 10 inches long & 2 inches wide. (You don’t have to be super precise — just eyeball it). What I did was cut the burlap in half (where it is naturally folded from the bolt) and then cut 10 inch sections & then broke those down into 2 inch sections.
Using a 12 inch wire wreath frame (found in the floral dept.), tie each strip onto the wreath frame in a single knot. Make sure to fill each section as full as you can get it so the wreath is puffed and full.
Add the ribbon of your choice.
(Note from Jaimee — I’ve seen a great burlap colors at SAS FAbrics on Indian School in Phoenix. You can also buy it at Jo-Ann Fabric Stores.)
THREE
To make Kelly Bird’s tulle wreath:
Buy two rolls of tulle (found in the wedding section at JoAnn’s). Cut those into 13-inch strips. (You will need about 1 & 1/2 rolls.)
Purchase an eight-inch wooden embroidery loop. Ddiscard the top portion that has the screw.
Tie the strips of tulle around the wreath in a single knot and fill the loop as full as you can for the prettiest wreath. Add the ribbon of your choice.
FOUR: Let us continue the zigzaggery. I love this REALLY easy wrapped fabric creation from Tater Tots and Jello.
FIVE: Yarn balls en masse from Write it Down (spotted on Casa Sugar).
SIX: Wrapped yarn with a felt Halloween scenes from AnnaHailey’s Etsy shop. Yarn wreaths are simple. Here’s a tutorial to get you started.
SEVEN: Mesa’s Laura Ingalls Gunn crafted this felt mum and leaf wreath, and then made napkin rings to match. Directions are on her cute blog, Decor to Adore. Be sure to scope out the snowball felt wreath for that mythic day when it’s cold here.
(Also, Laura Ingalls Gunn is actually related to Laura Ingalls, and Mrs. Gunn is worthy of the name. She is impossible not to adore.)
EIGHT: Katydid made this Raven-inspired piece with crepe paper from the dollar store. And now I’m quoting Edgar Allan Poe in my mind.
NINE: From Club CK’s Shannon, paper cones and skulls.
TEN: Cinnamon stick wreath, spotted on Maddy Muse — a local blog.
ELEVEN: More wrapped yarn, but I love the preppy argyle touch. This is also for sale on Etsy, but I thought it also might inspire your own. Directions for a similar wreath here.
(This Rosette wreath is from the same Etsy shop, and isn’t it pretty? Rosette tutorials are all over the web. Or you could just order this one, $60.)
P.S. This is that Martha Stewart cranberry wreath. I still love it, but my fingertips remember it differently.
