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Christmas Wreaths For Doors Or Tables
by Colleen Moulding
First gather together:
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A circular wire wreath frame
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Lots of moss
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Florists wire on a roll
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Florists stub wires
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Wire cutters
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Evergreen foliage, anything you have
available, possibly holly, Christmas tree cuttings, ivy, anything you can
find in the garden.
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Pine cones, natural or sprayed gold
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Walnuts, natural or sprayed gold
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Bunches of twigs cut to approx 3" long,
natural or sprayed gold
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Berries from the florist or the garden
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Dried orange slices (Slice, then bake in the
oven on a very low heat for 15 minutes, turn then leave to cook another 15
minutes.)
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Ribbon for bow if desired.
Cover your frame with moss
Begin by taking handfuls of the moss and
attaching it to the frame by binding it on with the wire from the roll.
Continue all the way around until the whole frame is covered with moss.
Twist two or three stub wires together to make a hanging loop and fix this
to the top of the frame. If you are worried about your door or table being
damaged by the wreath this is a good time to fix a piece of plastic to the back,
don't worry it will be completely covered by foliage when the wreath is
complete.
Wire your materials into bunches
Make little bunches of your foliage by wrapping a
few stems together with a stub wire, then twisting the wires so that you have a
little wire stem to fix into the wreath. Do this with all your materials. To
wire a pine cone, hook a stub wire into the almost closed layers at the bottom
of the cone, then twist the ends together to make a little stem as with the
foliage and berries. Wire walnuts by sliding a wire through the bottom of
the nut. Wire orange slices by bending a stub wire in half like a hairpin and
using that to secure the slice. Wire your twigs into little piles and wrap with
wire. Tie with a piece of ribbon or raffia.
Add your bunches to the base
Starting with your green foliage, secure bunches
all the way around the wreath into the moss until the moss is completely
covered. Now add the berries, orange slices, twigs, walnuts and cones at regular
intervals in any design that pleases you.
Add a bow
Mist your wreath thoroughly with water, and
continue to do this once a day throughout the holidays. Add a beautiful
bow, hang on the door and wait for the compliments.
For the table
Wreaths such as these can also be used on the
table, perhaps circling a display of candles. Be sure never to leave a lighted
candle arrangement unattended.
Other types of wreath
Grapevine or willow wreath forms can be used as
the base for lovely everlasting Christmas displays of dried or silk flowers and
Christmas decorations. Wrap with ribbon or artificial foliage before adding your
decorations. The easiest way to attach these to the form is with a hot glue gun.
Make large or tiny for the tree wreaths from
cardboard circles to which you attach a small piece of wadding/batting to give a
slightly padded look, then cover with ribbon or fabric, (glue or staple in
place) before decorating as above. This is a super project if you have to
entertain lots of children as they can all take a few home for the tree. Finish
with ribbon hanging loops.
© Colleen Moulding 2001 http://www.allthatwomenwant.com
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