Friday, December 16, 2016

I'm dreaming of a chartreuse Christmas (part one)

Way back when I visited Pomarius, oh let's see....that was...in November (feels like a life-time ago) I fell hard for their chartreuse, "reindeer moss," wreath and vowed to make one for myself.

It took awhile but the time finally came. I bought the moss but didn't buy a wreath-form, because I was sure I had several at home. Turns out this was the only one — and how do you glue moss to 4 thin wires?

You cut strips from a paper bag first, and wrap them around the form, that's how.

Yep, that works!

However there was one other problem I hadn't considered.

Duh.

What was I thinking?

Our door is the same color as the moss...

It's not even going to show up!

After brainstorming several solutions, all of which complicated the wreath (add cones, add dark leaves, edge it with ribbon, etc...) Andrew said "don't you have some fabric, maybe burlap, you could hang behind it?"...why yes, yes I do! That's better...

I did end up adding a little ribbon though, it needed a cheery touch, lest it veer into the austere.

After all Andrew had christened the burlap very "biblical"...

He also told me about a trip he and his family made to British Columbia when he was a kid (growing up in Nebraska). It was the first time he'd seen what he calls "railroad moss" in nature and couldn't believe it was real.

I like it.

And since we keep the front door open on most days (all but the coldest), it's part of the inside Christmas decor too. Here it is reflected in a mirror...

And behind glass, view from outside...

This was super easy to make and since one bag of moss (it took two) was half-off (never, ever, pay full price at Michael's!) and I already had everything else needed, this wreath cost me about $11...yay! I've seen a lot of people making wreaths this year, some really inspired, have you made one?

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. I'm not much for decorations but I love the simplicity of this. And it's the burlap that makes it work for me. Great texture and contrast.

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  2. Love it! Do you know how long the moss will last? Weeks, months, years?

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    1. Barbara I bought some of this moss several years ago for another project and it still looks exactly like the day I took it out of the bag. I am anticipating this lasting as long as I keep liking it. Especially since it is protected from the elements. If we had a lot of winter sun it might bleach out a bit but that's not something I'll have to worry about.

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  3. You're proof of the saying "where there's a will, there's a way." I love chartreuse so of course I also love your creation. I bought a standard green pine wreath, intending to embellish it with elements from the garden but I've been rather haphazard about it. So far, it's just decorated with Aeoniums, Magnolia leaves, Toyon berries and a red bow.

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  4. I love it, being a big moss fan myself. But I really like that you were so enthused you never thought about the door color. And that Andtew came up with a solution. Nice teamwork.

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    1. I felt like such a dork when I looked up (while sitting at the kitchen table making the wreath) and saw the door color. Duh.

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  5. That's lovely, the bow adds just the right touch of holiday color. And Andrew's solution was brilliant.

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    1. I think I'll forget to tell him that he's brilliant.

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  6. I must confess that I like the understated elegance of the green-on-green...not that your final solution lacks elegance.

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    1. Green on green definitely has it's appeal, but I wanted passers-by to be able to see it too.

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  7. Burlap and moss is texture heaven. The open door is a beautiful invitation to see possibilities.

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    1. The open door is also Lila's TV, she keeps tabs on the comings and goings of the neighborhood.

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  8. Great job! I like the simplicity of it as well as the color.

    I got as far as adding a dried Protea flower to a grape-vine wreath. Now I'm wondering what else I can add.

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    1. I saved my Protea wreath from last year (http://www.thedangergarden.com/2015/12/a-long-time-in-making.html), it's not looking too bad. I think it will go up in January, maybe with a few new things tucked in.

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    2. That protea wreath is gorgeous, I remember it.

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  9. I love it - but then I'm another fan of chartreuse ;-) Somehow I've never tried wreath-making, but if I see too many inspiring ones like this I might adventure into it... maybe next year?!

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    1. You should try it Amy, it's really easy and nice to customize to your own desires.

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  10. So lovely, and it's even better that you get to enjoy it indoors all day, when the door is open. Just wondering -- how is it all attached to the door?

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    1. Andrew used small nails to attach the burlap. The wreath is hanging from wire which I shoved through the burlap and then wound around a metal "peep hole" (more like a window - complete with a frame and a little door in the back) in the door.

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  11. I love it! That moss always catches my eye at the craft stores/nurseries but until now I couldn't think of a really cool use for it. The Shroud of Turin behind the wreath makes it extra special.

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