Just like that, October is over and giving way to cold and blustery November.  I like to decorate my home for the holidays in fits and starts, so that my anticipation of the season has time to build. Christmas always seems to come and go so quickly (maybe because I don’t work in retail? 😉 ) so I like to take my time and enjoy the decorating. Today I’m teaming up with 19 other bloggers to bring you a little taste of holiday style in the form of some gorgeous wreaths. I worked my love of birds, berries, and touches of tartan into my wreath design. Here’s how…
By the way, I hope you had a wonderful (if chilly!) Halloween night. Our little pumpkin is a bit too young for trick or treating, but if you hit up my Instagram feed, you can see what we wore to hand out candy!
When our hostess, Ariel, of PMQ for Two, invited me to participate in this wreath hop, my wheels immediately started turning. I decorated a wreath for our door a few years ago but it was starting to look a little used, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to spruce it up! Or is it balsam? Regardless, I was definitely pine-ing for a new winter look.
Somebody stop me before I got too fir.
…
Anyway… Here’s how I gave my drab little faux-fir wreath a whole new Christmas look.
Materials
- Wreath
- White acrylic paint and brush
- Faux berries
- Wire cutters
- Wooden birdhouse
- Coffee (bear with me!)
- Glue gun and glue
- White glitter
- Decorative birds (mine are vintage cardinals from my grandmother’s tree)
- Ribbon
- Needle, thread, scissors
- Buttons
 
Directions
- Flock your wreath (i.e. give it a snowy look) by painting (at random) the tips of the “needles” with the white acrylic paint. There are dozens of ways to flock faux greenery, but since this wreath may come into contact with less-than-wonderful weather (hello, Canadian winter!), I thought that this way would last longest.
- Place your different elements (berries, birds, etc.) and come up with a basic design. Once you’re happy with your plan, begin to glue on the different decorations. I began by gluing on the berries. You can hide the stems of the berries in amongst the greenery. I cut my berry branches into smaller parts so that I could spread them out.
3. The little birdhouse was a fun element to work on! I began by “ageing” the wood with… yes! Here’s where the coffee comes into play! Using a paintbrush, I brushed on several layers of diluted coffee, waiting for the wood to dry between coats. It gave the wood a more weathered look.
Once the wood had achieved the proper degree of weathering ( 🙂 ), I added some 3D “snow” to it with glue from my glue gun. I waited for the glue to dry fully and then I painted it with the white acrylic paint. Finally, I added some white glitter to the snow… you know, to give it that glint-y, new-snow look.
5. Next up are those rosettes. Make your ribbon rosettes by gathering the ribbon in a spiral. Stitch the centre of the rosette securely and then add a button to the centre. Really simple!
6. Once you have all your elements made, get glueing! Layer on your different elements until you have a beautiful, wintery wreath.
The front door sets the mood for the whole house, I think! A beautiful wreath says “welcome”, whether to yourself after a long day at work or to guests arriving for a Christmas party. How are you decorating your door for the season?
Still not sure? You’re in luck! We have 21 gorgeous and creative wreath designs for you. Take some time to visit my fellow bloggers and see the inspiration for yourself!
Up to Date Interiors // Cottage in the Oaks // Architecture of a Mom
Nourish & Nestle // KS Craft Shack // My Life From Home
Craft & Tell // The Uncommon Law // Monica Wants It
Twelve On Main // PMQ for two // Atta Girl Says
The DIY Mommy // Flourish and Knot // Maggie Overby Studios
Hey Fitzy // Domicile 37 // Our Crafty Mom
This Is Our Bliss // Timeless Creations // PMQ for two
P.S. You can find all of my holiday and Christmas posts HERE!
Beautiful wreath,and I love the blue in the tartan works with the blue door. Tartan and pine cones for me, this year! Must get started…
I’m so glad the rain held off long enough for you to get it up! The cocardes are perfect! You’ve inspired me, that’s for sure. I hope it brings you tons of joy this holiday season 🙂
I love your method for aging the wood! The cardinals from your grandmothers tree are the perfect touch. Such a sweet winter wreath.
Thank you Kelli! I needed a quick and easy way to age the wood and I’m really happy it turned out. Thanks for reading!
Thanks Ariel! It was such a fun hop to be part of.
Such a pretty wreath! Love it. Especially the bird and the plaid.
Thanks so much!
I can’t believe you aged that little bird house with coffee. What a great idea!! Your wreath turned out beautifully!!
Hahaha coffee is not just for drinking anymore! 🙂
I love how simple and cute this is!
Thanks, Jessica!
This is such a pretty, classic Holiday wreath! Love the cardinals and little house!
Thanks, Michelle! I love classic when it comes to Christmas decor. 🙂
OK…I think you need to give up your blogging career and join comedy central! You had me giggling. But, in all seriousness…I would never have thought to age the wood with coffee! And those rosettes! Now you have me trying to figure out how I can use some in my holiday decorations!
Thanks for inspiring me!
Hugs, Lynn
Hahahah thanks, Lynn! If we can’t laugh at ourselves a little, we’re taking ourselves too seriously. 🙂
The cardinals are so sweet on this wreath, love the pop of read.
Thank you, Maggie! We get cardinals in our yard all the time, so they are a fitting addition.
I NEED to do this. Like today.
Hahaha! Yes, you should! 🙂
Tartan and pine cones are a classic combo!
I love your little rosettes. They are so sweet and in balance with the rest of the decorations. Thanks for the ideas, Sandi
Classic Christmas Wreath… So pretty I love the little bird house!!
I love the berries, it makes the wreath! So cute and very stylish
Maria
Beautiful wreath! I love the plaid. I am addicted to plaid and buffalo check this season.
Plaid is just such a quintessential element of holiday decor in my books! Plus, my family is of Scottish heritage, so it makes sense. 🙂
What a beautiful wreath! I’m so excited about Christmas 🙂 I’m now inspired to start decorating, too.
Thanks, Lisa! It’s great to hear from you.
Beautiful job! I know SO many people who would love this wreath! Pinning to share wth them later 🙂
Thanks so much, Lindi!
This is so cute, I love the little pop of plaid!
Such a cute wreath! I love the little bird and house.
Super cute! I’m embracing traditional patterns and colours for Christmas this year too!