Did you ever think of reusing your holiday greens? You probably throw them out after the first of the year without much thought. How about using them to make a Valentine wreath?
That is what I set out to do one of the warmer days this week. I intended to replace my Christmas wreath with a heart shaped evergreen wreath. This is an easy project and can be accomplished at no cost. A wreath frame can be easily made by forming a wire hanger into the desired shape. Or, the wire frame can be purchased. Either way, the same frame can be used to craft a wreath every year.
I thought I would make my wreath outdoors, but soon decided I did not want to stay outside – I know, I’m a wimp! So, I set up a work space in the house. This was made up of a sheet spread across the floor. If you have ever made an evergreen wreath, you know it can get very messy – needles everywhere!
I piled up some greens onto the sheet and assembled my other supplies – garden shears, green wire, and my heart frame.
Making a heart wreath is just like making any wreath. Small bundles of greens are clumped together and attached at the stems with wire. Many bundles are made and are attached to the frame with the wire. That really is all there is to it. The quantity of greens used is purely a matter of personal taste.
The one difference with a heart wreath rather than a traditional circle wreath, obviously, is the shape. A little care needs to be taken at the top and bottom of the wreath so that the shape is defined.
When I make a traditional round wreath, there is no trimming involved. With a heart wreath, there may be a snip or two to help accentuate the heart shape.
After I covered the frame with greens, I just added a few leftover holiday gift wrap trimmings.
I put a piece of wire on the back to use for hanging.
When completed, the sheet I set up as a work station just gets picked up and taken outside for a good shake!
Easy, right? Now I have a wreath to replace my Christmas wreath and it will stay until my Easter wreath goes up!
Any type of greens can be used or several types can be mixed. Roping or swags from the holiday can be used or pieces can be cut from a live tree before it hits the curb.
I hope you are inspired to create your own heart shaped wreath of greenery!
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie