Welcome to Day 24 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be…  Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin”
and in our homes and beyond.  If you missed The Introduction or you’d like
to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here.

31 Extraordinary Days to Be... AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

If you’ve been following this blog for even a little while, you have a pretty good idea of how much I enjoy God’s magnificent creation.  So for fun, I thought I’d put together a little vignette.

 

Day 24-#31Days :: Be...Creative :: Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial :: #BeCreative #NaturalWreath :: AnExtraordianryDay.net

 

As so often happens…one thing morphed into another.

 

Day 24 :: Fall Vignette :: Be Creative :: Natural Fall Wreath :: #OutdoorFallVignette :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It started with some wild grapevines from the neighbor’s yard and a tomato cage and pretty soon I was making grapevine wreaths, purchasing a pumpkin, and trying to decide how to decorate one of the wreaths I constructed.

 

Day 24 :: Be Creative :: #OutdoorVignette #NaturalFallWreath #GrapevineWreath :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This day I chose to create a natural fall wreath.  Since I have no stash of goodies right now, I decided to walk out the door and see what nature had to offer.  Nature did not disappoint.  Dark purple berries, maple leaves, crab apples in several colors and sizes, the last of the goldenrod, and some seed pods.

In the end, simplicity won out in decorating this natural fall wreath.  I used just maple leaves and the dark purple privet berries.

 

Day 24 :: Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial :: Be Creative :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net :: #NaturalElements #Wreath

 

Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial

 

Materials needed: Plain Grapevine Wreath (available at the craft store), Paddle Wire, Wire Cutters, Pruners, Leaves, Berries

 

Day 24 :: Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net :: Be Creative :: #WreathTutorial

 

Leaves…

  • Gather colorful fall leaves from the tree.
  • Stack leaves in groups of five alternating colors and placing the leaves large to small in the stack.
  • Unwrap about 8 or 10 inches of wire from the paddle.
  • Holding the stack of  leaves in your hand, punch a hole in the leaves with your wire from the back and draw through to the front.
  • Next bend that length and punch a hole in the leaves from the front and draw the wire down to the leaves.
  • Place the stack of leaves against the wreath and using the two tails of the wire, pull the wire around the wreath, firming the stack of leaves to the wreath.
  • Tightly twist the two wires together, trim, and fold the excess into the back of the wreath.

Berries…

  • Gather sprigs of berries from shrubs.
  • Cut the sprigs of berries to about 4 inches.
  • Unwrap about 8 or 10 inches of wire from the paddle.
  • Place a group of 3 or 4 berry stems in the center of the wire and wrap the wire around the stems once.
  • Place the berries on top of the leaves, but place the wire, just below the leaves and pull the wire around the wreath to the back.
  • Draw tightly and twist the wires together.  Cut. Fold the excess wire into the back of the wreath.

Repeat the process for as many leaf and berry groups as you wish to place around your wreath. 

Hang your wreath and enjoy!!  Or lean it on a bench like I did here.

 

Day 24 of #31Days :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net :: Be...Creative Natural Fall Wreath Tutorial #Grapevine #Pumpkin #FallVignette

 

Creating a natural fall wreath is a fun activity.  I didn’t have a plan…only a pile of freshly gathered items.

If you decide to try your hand at creating a natural fall wreath, go with the flow, have fun.  I could have added more gatherings to the wreath…but this just felt right.  Maybe another day…when it warms up again…I’ll do something different.

 

Day 24 :: Be Creative :: Create a Natural Fall Wreath with leaves and berries :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net #MapleLeaves #NaturalFallDecor

 

Nature gifts us with a delight of color and texture…whatever you choose to do…it will be beautiful.  This is not a time to worry and fret about perfection.

Keep in mind…this is a fresh natural fall wreath.  It will be short-lived.  If you bring it inside where it’s heated it won’t last long.  Outside it should last for a week or two depending on the weather…maybe longer.

 

Day 24 Challenge:  Go outside and look at nature’s bounty.  Walk around with your pruners and clip or pick natural elements in gorgeous colors and textures.  Make a natural fall wreath, a garland, or simply gather some stems and place them in a vase or a crock.  Be creative with nature’s offerings.

 

Emily Freeman has been talking about making art in her new book, A Million Little Things, and on her blog, Chatting at the Sky.  From constructing the wreath and grapevine tree, to decorating both, creating a vignette, and photographing the setting….this is my art.  Today.  Tomorrow my art may become something else.  Ideas morph.  Big and little.  It’s my art and it makes my heart sing.

we-will-make-art-510x700

 

Be…Creative!!

Diane

I hope you’ll consider visiting each day during this #31Day series.

All the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October.
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What a wonderful adventure this will be as we journey together to Be…

Comments

  1. Diane, I love this…the colors are absolutely beautiful! I love the idea of using the natural elements and I think that the pumpkin placed inside the wreath would look fabulous on my harvest table! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂 Have a super evening! Kim…ps~ you made that wreath and topiary?? wow!

    • Diane says

      And all I’m doing is using God’s bounty. 🙂 Oh…Kim…it would be beautiful on a harvest table. Maybe a bit smaller pumpkin…but yes. Hmmm…I wonder if I can make a smaller wreath? Thanks for the additional inspiration. 🙂 And thanks for the kind words.
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!!
      p.s. Yes…I did. The wreath was easy…the topiary….that took f..o..r..e…..v…e…r!! 😉

  2. Gwen says

    Oh I wish I’d thought to do something like this when teaching! Alas our leaves are only sort of turning and so ill wait!!! But I have windows open and there’s been sunshine. I love your artistic ideas!! They are inspiring. Even as the leaves fade and crisp, it’s still fall looking 🙂
    I think some of my plants are mixed up though for those that bloom in spring have a few scattered flowers now! So cute!

    • Diane says

      Then you’ll be enjoying yours for Thanksgiving…unlike me who will have no more leaves at that time. ;-/
      I love it when plants rebloom like that. So fun!! Enjoy!!

  3. This is just beautiful! And your pictures are also lovely! I started gathering some leaves today for a photo op and now have another reason to use them!!

    • Diane says

      More fun for you!! 🙂 Yay!!
      Thanks for the kind words, Consie!!
      Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
      ~Diane

  4. This is beautiful! I absolutely love it all! I am so glad I found you on the link Show and Tell Friday link up. I am amazed and completely inspired! Beautiful work from God’s love to us all!

    • Diane says

      God’s creation is amazing! Thanks for your encouraging words, Tara! [hugs]

  5. I love how you using God’s creation ( nature ) into such a beautiful wreath ! Love the leaves and the berries together ! The color is vibrant ! What a great creativity !!
    Have a blessed weekend !
    best,
    Marlin

    • Diane says

      Isn’t it fun when we look to God’s creation for inspiration and he serves up such generous helpings?
      Thanks for your kinds words, Marlin!!
      Hope your new week is Extraordinary!
      [hugs]

  6. I love the natural decor! Great job and tutorial. Thanks for sharing at TTF!

    • Diane says

      I really appreciate your kind words, Linda!!
      Blessings!!

  7. Jen says

    Wow! You found so many beautiful things right outside! Love them all!

    • Diane says

      That God of ours is pretty creative to give all of it to us too! Yes?
      Thanks, Jen!

  8. Pinky says

    That looks beautiful. You are lucky to have grapevine so close by!!! LOVE the stck of leaves.

    • Diane says

      Pinky….I really am blessed. 🙂
      Thanks for your kind words!
      [hugs]

  9. Laura says

    The natural decorations look great! Love the little grapevine tree!

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks! I’d like to tell you that tree was fun to make….it took way toooooo long. But…it was worth it!! 🙂

  10. Mel says

    I think the topiary is cute!
    And the wreath on the bench with the pumpkin and the topiary…awesome. I grabbed hand fulls of leaves while I was walking this evening…himself laughed and told me the wouldn’t last. Of course they will…they will transform their and their beauty will follow. I look forward to witnessing it –and I littered my coffee table with ’em. So I’m all about the treasures that gets sprinkled around me. Your wreath….AWESOME. That’s the kind of warmth I stop to absorb as I’m walking by.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Mel!! 🙂
      Last year I gathered some beautiful red leaves and placed them in a silver tray/bowl. I threw them away when I moved. Sure they were crinkly…but they still had all their color and beauty…how many months later. Have a ball with your leaves!!!!

  11. WOOW. just LOVE the wreath 🙂
    and do not miss my little….

    HALLOWEEN PARTY

    it is FUN 🙂
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much!! I’m always in aw of your work….so your compliment truly means a lot!!
      Oh my goodness….I think I just might be a little late to the party. :-/

      Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
      ~Diane

  12. I love this wreath! It is beautiful! If you have a chance, come link up at the Snickerdoodle Sunday link party – theme this weekend is Fall – from 8pm ET Sat – 8am ET Monday.

  13. Gorgeous! Who knew you could walk right outside and find all these wonderful supplies! I love it:)

    • Diane says

      Haha! Who knew?!!!
      Thanks for your kind words, Christy!!
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  14. I love your wonderful wreath and i know everyone who visits you will love it as well, the compliments will be flying around when they see these lovely items…love that wreath and actually love it all….Phyllis

    • Diane says

      Phyllis…would you live next door to me?! You are the sweetest gal and truly made my day.
      Thank you for saying the very nicest things. 🙂
      [hugs] Diane

  15. Love the wreath and the topiary, gorgeous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

  16. Jenna says

    beautiful Diane, thanks for the reminder~

    • Diane says

      Thank YOU, Jenna!!! 🙂
      May your week by truly Extraordinary!
      ~Diane

  17. Maria says

    How pretty! Your wreath looks beautiful, I love all the gorgeous colorful leaves!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Maria!!
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!!

  18. Babs says

    LOVE the natural wreath and the way you stacked the leaves and berries. Gorgeous leaves! I always prefer natural materials. Our leaves have just started turning here, and I’m hoping to find some for decorating. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • Diane says

      If I were to do it again Babs…and I think I will next year…I think I would spray the leaves with floor wax and let them dry. My wreath was in a very exposed area and we had several heavy frosts which take the moisture out of everything. Have fun leaf hunting!!! And thank you for your encouraging words.
      Blessings!

      • Babs says

        Great idea about the floor wax. I had forgotten we used to put it on magnolia leaves when we used them on wreaths, etc. Thanks for the reminder! I’m getting some the next time I go to the store.

        • Diane says

          Yay! Glad to help. 🙂 I need to get some, too.

  19. Wow, do you ever take crisp bright and gorgeous pictures! Stunning photos.

    • Diane says

      Michele…that is just the nicest thing you could say. Thank you so much!!!!!

  20. Very pretty! You can wax the leaves to preserve them longer….not sure how to preserve the berries! Visiting from You’re Gonna Love It!

  21. Carolyn says

    Hi, Diane,

    You did it again! The natural autumn wreath is exceptionally lovely! Great creativity in using what was available! I would like to make a similar one myself. We’ll see!
    Other years I’ve collected various kinds of leaves on a walk around the neighborhood. Then I place them on my Thanksgiving tablecloth which has a fairly open printed background (the scenes are around the border) & I top everything w/a thick clear plastic off the roll at Hobby Lobby to keep it all spotless. Not the most formal tabletop but very pretty as well as practical.
    Thanks for all the décor ideas, Diane.

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks Carolyn! If you make a similar wreath, spray or dip your leaves in some floor wax. It will take extra time…but it will be worth it. My wreath is still pretty…but the leaves dried up a bit faster than I expect with the heavy frosts.
      Your table sounds lovely. It’s like putting the leaves under glass. Great idea!
      Blessings!

  22. Sandi says

    Diane, your fall wreath is really pretty and your photography is fabulous. Thanks for sharing the tutorial and coming to my HOME. Enjoy the rest of your week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    • Diane says

      Sandi…I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you appreciate my photography. Especially as I was looking at your photos and thinking about how well you style your pictures. Guess we belong to the mutual admiration society! 🙂

  23. A beautiful use of Natures bounty Diane. It all looks so lovely.

    • Diane says

      Thanks, Kerryanne!
      God’s creation is pretty amazing. 😉

  24. Everything is so pretty here!

    • Diane says

      God really does make some incredible beauty.
      Thank you, Diann!! 🙂
      Blessings!

  25. Your pics are so crisp and pretty but I know it is even prettier in person. Love how you used fresh fall foliage and berries. Thanks for the tutorial.

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Bonnie for your sweet comments! 🙂
      Blessings!!

  26. Julie says

    Stopping by from Emily’s place. Thanks for sharing your pics! Lovely.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Julie!! 🙂
      Best wishes for An Extraordinary Day!
      ~Diane

  27. tammy says

    So Pretty!!! Thank you for linking up to One More Time Events….Hope you are having a great weekend! Hugs Tammy

  28. I love the natural look you gave the wreath. I’m all for making a wreath look beyond gorgeous, but I love the simplicity of this one and the colors of the leaves are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing how you made it and for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.

    • Diane says

      Ruth…thank you for your thoughtful words of encouragement. It really was a happy wreath for me, coming together quickly. 😉
      Wishing you an extraordinary week!
      ~Diane

  29. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    What a beautiful wreath Diane! I love the rustic, natural feel and the mix of leaves and berries. It will be perfect right through Thanksgiving!

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