Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wild Herbs Christmas Wreath





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Hello, dear friends, I'm excited to announce that I've made my first DIY wreath ever! So I would like to apologize in advance, because this post is gonna have LOTS of pictures...
I've been dreaming of making a wreath since 2005, when I was just entering the fabulous world of interior design blogs. We don't have many wreaths in Romania (and there are no supplies at the craft stores) and I have always been afraid to make one. I was convinced that the leaves would fall off and that the wire base would show...

For my first wreath I wanted the real deal: real natural plants, no plastic allowed. Long story short, we went to a picnic in the middle of November, on a sunny hill at the edge of a beautiful forest. There were lots of wild herbs, which we call "immortal" because they dry out in the field and stay like this forever. I filled the trunk of my car with a bunch of herbs in awesome shades of silver, soft brown and pale lavender. Plus a few thistles. Perfect materials for a natural wreath :)


The natural herb Christmas wreath sits in the bedroom, hanging by a traditional red and white ribbon. It complements the other flowers who live by the bedroom window: a small white Saint Paulia and three orchids which are getting ready to bloom in a couple of weeks. 



Initially, I was going to make the simplest wreath design possible. At the last minute, I've decided to add a little twist to my simple wreath, so I placed the thistles in a small bouquet on one side. A little "bling" goes a long way :)



I've kept the bedding white and full of texture, combining natural white cotton sheets with linen and sheep skin pillows. It tickles the senses and lets the Christmas wreath steal the show. Each morning I smile thinking that I live in a bohemian hotel in Paris :)



How to make a Christmas wreath
If you are like me, a novice in wreath making and a little afraid to try it, I've got 3 words for you: Just do it! I'll guide you every step of the way with my DIY wreath tutorial:
1. Gather your materials: natural plants, scissors and wire. That's all you need!
2. Use a wreath base (you can find them in stores) or make one yourself, from electric cord or thick wire.
3. Make a small bouquet and tie it with floral wire. Make the front line flowers smaller than the ones in the back and spread them like a fan. Layer the colors by height: I put the short brown twigs in the front, then the longer lavender ones and kept the tall silver ones in the back.
4. Cut off the extra length of the branches. My bouquets are 10 cm (4 inches) long.
5. Make an extra bouquet from different branches for the wreath's graphic accent.
6. Repeat step no. 3 and 4 until you run out of stuff. I've made exactly 30 small bouquets.
7. Attach the first bouquet to the wreath base and secure it with wire. Make sure that the bouquet is on the outside of the base curve.
8. Continue with the rest of the bouquets, just like you did with the first one. Don't be afraid to squeeze them together - this way you make sure that the base will be fully covered.
9. This is how the wreath looks when you turn it over. Add some pretty ribbon and enjoy!



Linking up to these lovely parties.
And some of them require a backlink in the actual post, so here they are:
http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ro/   http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/   http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.ro/   http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/   http://diycraftyprojects.com
http://www.sew-much-ado.com/   http://www.elizabethandco.blogspot.ro/   http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.ro/

44 comments:

  1. this is just gorgeous! we have a lot of wreaths around here, but most are just run-of-the-mill, this is so beautiful!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Christine! Like I said, my wreath HAD to be made from natural twigs or leaves or flowers :) And for my first attempt, I am completely satisfied :)))

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  2. That first picture should be in a magazine...so pretty!
    I love the wreath and when I saw it I thought of above my bed too...it is slowly coming together.
    Thanks for the tutorial too!

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    1. I can't wait to see your bedroom wreath, Rondell, I bet it will be beautiful! And thank you for joining us on FB <3

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  3. What a lovely wreath! So pretty!!

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    1. Thank you, Anne, it would look great in your beautiful bedroom, as well!

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  4. Ah.... my friend, I LOVE your wreath! I would enjoy making one, but will have to do it in the Fall :) Thank you for sharing - it's beautiful! Sending warm hugs!

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    1. Thank you, Stephanie! I am now hooked on making wreaths. I should put aside a small budget for buying fresh flowers from the market, for new wreaths in 2014 :)

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  5. joli travail de composition! superbe post!
    Cath.

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  6. Thank & welcome for your visit on my pages, have a nice day, Cath.

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  7. it turned out great, don't know why you have been afraid all this time?
    I think there is a lot of natrual wreaths comming your way :)

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    1. I give up, Ana! You read my mind every time!!!
      Yes, I have made my new year resolution to make a wreath, big or small, for each month of 2014 :)

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  8. This is just gorgeous! I can't believe it's your first!

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    1. Thank you so much, Danni! Now I'm not afraid of making wreaths anymore. I just need the budget for plants and flowers :))

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  9. Soooooooooo elegant. The thistles are my favorite part, so you made a great last minute decision ;) And that dainty ribbon pairs so perfectly with the wreath. Very pretty!!

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    1. Thanks a lot, Amy! I guess it was worth spending 20 minutes of my life taking off the thorns of those beautiful, but deadly thistles ;)

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  10. What a lovely Christmas Wreath! :) The few thistles on, made the litte extra! Very sweet with the pink ribbon. So simply and delicate pictures! :) Thank you for sharing! :)

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! I am now officially mad about making wreaths... and about keeping an all-white bedroom, which was never my style before :))

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  11. I love it when something so humble turns in such a pretty thing!

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    1. Thank you, Tina! I particularly seek the beauty in the humblest and most imperfect things, this is what makes you more rich inside... and more relaxed :)

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  12. I absolutely love this wreath! You're just like me and drawn to naturally dried flowers (like lavendar!)

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    1. Thank you, Yelle, like I said a thousand times, to me nothing beats the beauty of nature!

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  13. Me gusta mucho esa guirnalda de hierbas Meeha es distinta y delicada

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  14. This is absolutely lovely! I love creating new creations like this. What a lovely wreath. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Stephanie@crazylittlelovebirds

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  15. Stunning wreath and of course a brilliant idea to use the herbs - It's enchanting, devine and extremely pretty. I do think of Paris, luxury, and an airy Hotel space, thank you so much for sharing dearest!

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    1. Thank you, making the bedroom all-white for the wreath was a true inspiration and I hope I can try less colors in the other rooms, too.

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  16. I love your wreath. I really thinks natural ones are a lot more beautiful. This one is unusual and absolutely dreamlike. And if you ask me, nothing beats white linen for a perfect bed!

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    1. What can I say, Magali... when I was little we only had white linen sheets everywhere (at my grandparents as well) and I was craving some happy patterns and awesome colors! Now that I'm all grown up, I can finally appreciate the serenity and softness of all-white sheets...

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  17. I just love this wreath and all the natural elements….Beautiful…Thank you for sharing at One More Time Events…Tammy

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    1. Tammy, thanks a lot for making time to visit - I really enjoy linking up to your party!

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  18. This is so beautiful and inspiring. Your whole blog is lovely. So glad to have found you.

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  19. Just lovely! Merry Christmas!
    Jennelise

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  20. Your wreath came out gorgeous! Love the natural elements and the muted colors!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  21. The wreath is beautiful! Thank you for sharing this at the Open House party and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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  22. Your wreath is so pretty and unique I just love it.

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  23. The wreath is absolutely beautiful. And thanks for the instructions. Hope you have a great day.

    Heidi’s Wanderings

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  24. Stopping by to let you know you have been featured over at One More Time Events…Thank you for sharing. Hope you can make it again this week! Tammy

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  25. Love the natural wreath against the light walls and bedding. Sweet!

    Merry Christmas!
    Bonnie

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  26. What a lovely wreath! Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!!

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  27. What a beautiful natural wreath! I love it!

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