After surveying the garden for something appropriate, I decided the evergreen component would be being cuttings from a couple of my Arctostaphylos (Manzanita).
Normally when covering a wire wreath form I start by making small bundles of all the elements, which are then - one by one - wired into place around the form. This time I wanted to try something different. I wrapped a few of the Arctostaphylos branches around the form, very loosely wiring them in place.
Once I had a green circle (with lots of random offshoots) it was time to hang it up on the door and start threading in the oak leaves.
As I worked I had the strangest feeling that I was being watched...
The finished wreath. Instead of working the leaves around in a clockwise fashion I decided to take the two sides down from the top and have them meet at the bottom, like the reverse of the traditional Laurel leaf wreath.
An old piece of wired ribbon holds the whole thing in place.
Days have gone by now, since I built this wreath, and it's holding up great. The Manzanita is drying wonderfully.
I think what I appreciate most about this wreath is its simplicity. The over-blown color and sparkle of Christmas (and I mean that in a good way) is just around the corner, this is a bit of calm before the storm.
All material © 2009-2015 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Stunning! Worth getting a Quercus dentata just for those very attractive leaves.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I made use of them this year. Last year I just let them go to waste!
DeleteI used to teach wreath classes years ago and gathering interesting and unexpected materials was my favorite part part of the set-up. I had to go out into the fields and forests to find the treasures, but you have to go no farther than your own yard! Those leaves rock!
ReplyDeleteI think going out into the "fields and forests" sounds like fun! So as a former teacher, are you still making wreaths?
DeleteI had completely forgotten that your wreaths from last year convinced me to make some of my own this year. This is a nice start to the wreath season!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan, I hope you share what you make!
DeleteI love it! You got me thinking.
ReplyDeleteSuper, that's the best compliment.
DeleteLila clearly approved!
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty easy to please that one. You know, as long as dinner shows up on time.
DeleteIt is fabulous...I love the subtle red of the manzanita bark with the dark green and bronze of the leaves. I suites your door color perfectly! I wish you sold them on Etsy!
ReplyDeleteI was really kind of worried about the door color, fearing it would make everything else look drab. Oh and I would love to sell on Etsy, except for the shipping part - what a drag!
DeleteSublime....just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamara!
DeleteNicely done as always! Love the simplicity and beauty of this one. Lila is cuter every time you show her picture
ReplyDeleteWhiter every time, that's for sure. Her face practically glows in the dark now.
DeleteLooks real good. Should send you a dried Protea flower, would be a nice accent. Or some acorns...
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind thought Hoov! Actually I've been saving every Protea and Leucadendron stem that I've bought all year, I'm going to have a go at making a dried wreath someday soon.
DeletePerfection....and using what's in your back yard. Move over Martha...DG is in the house!
ReplyDeleteHa! The poorer and less glamorous version.
DeleteNice one, I've had wreaths on my mind too !
ReplyDeleteYou should throw together a few!
DeleteSo perfect on your green door! I'd say this qualifies as an entry into In a Vase on Monday. It is Monday, and this arrangement captures the spirit, if not exactly in a vase.
ReplyDeleteI briefly thought of posting on Cathy's meme but I don't want to get barred from contributing by abusing the idea too much!
DeleteLooks so good on your door. I don't yhink I've ever done a wreath from scratch. Usually I buy one and then add and subtract.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun, you should try it!
DeleteIt's beautiful. I don't have the patience (nor the evergreen materials) to start a wreath from scratch. I usually buy a pine wreath and embellish it with materials from my garden but it's still too early to started with that if it's to last to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, what the heck is that Lila's cuddling up to?
There's nothing wrong with that approach, I do hope you'll share what you come up with this year? Oh and there's an ever changing cast of characters around here that we call "friends" - these are both pillows and chew toys. They are tossed around and abused. It's time for a replacement when they are disemboweled all over the living room floor. This particular "friend" is a camo teddy bear. When I bought him I didn't realize there was a noise maker in one of his feet, it sounds a little like a growing dinosaur. Quite a surprise the first time we heard it.
DeleteTerrific wreath -- and the dog is just wonderful. Faithful little buddy, keeping tabs on her human. Good girl, Lila!
ReplyDeleteCan't have me getting too involved in a project right before dinner time!
DeleteNice one! I wanna cuddle Lila so badly.. Gahhh!
ReplyDeleteShe's an excellent cuddler!
DeleteVery pretty, and so simple. Nicely done.
ReplyDelete