I absolutely LOVE using natural elements in my Christmas decorations. And the best part of using nature’s gifts… they’re usually free!
That’s a double win in my book. Before the leaves even started to fall this year, I knew I wanted to create something beautiful for Christmas with the plethora of oak leaves from the nearby woods and gold spray paint. But, what would that be? I finally settled on making an oak leaf Christmas wreath.
Who knew the humble leaf from a stately oak could become so classy with just a few spritzes of gold spray paint?
I had a pretty good idea. But, until the project is in the bag, so to speak, I’m never sure.
This classy gold wreath turned out beautifully. And in the evening it reflects the light from the lamps and feels so warm and inviting.
Plus, it’s the focal point for a Christmas vignette I created for my side table that features our Advent candle wreath.
It’s become such a happy spot in our little home.
Just in case you want to try your hand at this easy-to-make wreath… here’s the tutorial!
Easy to Make Gold Oak Leaf Wreath
Supplies
- 100+ Oak leaves of various types – medium sized
- Gold spray paint
- Spraying station (mine was made from large pieces of cardboard)
- Metallic acrylic paints
- Paint brush
- Heavy cardboard for backing at least 16 ” square
- Larger round object about 16″ in diameter
- Box cutter or Wallpaper cutting knife
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
Assembly Instructions
Gather your 100+ gilded leaves.
Lay them out in your makeshift spray box, outdoors.
Spray one side with gold spray paint and let dry for several minutes.
Flip leaves and spray the other side of the leaves with gold. (Both sides need to be coated. If you prefer, another color or clear coat may be used.)
Once your leaves are all gilded and dry, gather them up, and then set them aside.
Take a large piece of cardboard and trace a large round object, I used a basket tray I had. You can use a pencil to do this but, I simply cut around my basket with the cutter. I didn’t go deep with this first cut… just enough to give me a cut line to follow so that I could recut until I cut deep enough to free the new round disc from the larger piece of cardboard.
Next, I made a second cut, about 2 inches inside from the outer edge to create the ring. I simply eye-balled this. It doesn’t need to be perfect.
I didn’t want all my oak leaves to be gilded with the same shade of gold. So, I tried to emulate a copper or rose gold and a brown gold to give more dimension to the wreath. The complete wreath has 3 shades of gold.
With a wide artist’s brush, paint on your gold colors. I divided the leaves so that about a half remained the original gold and the other half of the leaves were painted in the two other shades of gold.
Now it’s time to assemble the wreath.
Begin by laying your oak leaves around the cardboard backing to get a feel for spacing out the leaves and the different gold colors.
Then apply hot glue to the cardboard backing and press your leaf in place. Continue doing this until the cardboard ring is completely covered.
Once you’ve covered the cardboard ring with the first row of leaves, begin adding another layer.
You’ll want to apply your hot glue the back of the leaf at its base when you start to attach the second and third rows of leaves.
I chose to arrange my second and third rows of leaves by gluing them on at a slight angle. At this point, you may find it helpful to cut off the stems.
I also found it helpful when I was placing the third row of leaves, to trim the base of the leaves to a point and then gluing the leaf and inserting it.
Once you’re happy with your oak leaf Christmas wreath, it’s time to hang it on the wall.
We have a neighbor who’s six that stops by almost daily. He really liked the wreath and informed me that after I took my photos for this post, I could hang the wreath on my door for Christmas. Don’t you love it?! I have to say, this isn’t a door wreath or an outdoor wreath, either. As the leaves continue to dry out they will become brittle and break if they are smashed or bumped. But, carefully stored (by hanging) a natural oak leaf wreath should last for several years. I actually still have gilded leaves that are twenty years old that I bring out each year for Christmas decorating.
What do you think?
Do you have a spot that could be brightened with a classy gilded oak leaf wreath for the holidays?
My wreath was completed before Thanksgiving and I think that it’s a perfect transitional wreath from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Last year I created a transitional door wreath… so now I have one for inside and out.
If you love the idea but don’t have time to gather leaves or make your own wreath, I spied a couple of pretty gold wreaths on Amazon that are quite lovely…
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And now for more fun!!
I’m so happy to be joining up with some of my talented blogging friends again for the…
Home for the Holiday’s Blog Tour
This is the third year the Home for the Holidays blog tour sponsored by Sondra Lyn at Home! Be prepared to get your pinning finger ready, because we’ve got some extraordinary decor, craft and recipe ideas waiting for you! The tour has gotten bigger and better each year and I think you’re going to love what you see! So stay tuned for 30 blogs over the week, with a different topic each day. Be sure you come back here every day to get the links to that day’s featured blogs! Here’s a run-down of the topics and featured blogs:
Monday – Holiday Mantels
Country Design Style | Duke Manor Farm | Domestically Speaking
Organize and Decorate Everything | Sondra Lyn at Home | Two Purple Couches
Tuesday – Holiday Recipes
An Alli Event | Not Just Paper and Paint | Nourish and Nestle
StoneGable | Sweet Pea | What Meegan Makes
Wednesday – Holiday Crafts
An Extraordinary Day | Lovely Etc | Lilacs and Longhorns
Lydi Out Loud | Salvage Sister and Mister | Weekend Craft
Thursday – Holiday Decor
Atta Girl Says | Chatfield Court | Create & Babble
Designers Sweet Spot | The Heathered Nest | Worthing Court
Friday – Holiday Tablescapes
Celebrating Everyday Life |Cottage at the Crossroads | Cottage in the Oaks
The Everyday Home | Postcards from the Ridge | 2 Bees in a Pod
Are you ready? Here we go!
Home for the Holidays 2016
Holiday Mantels
Holiday Recipes
Holiday Crafts
Holiday Decor
Holiday Tablescapes
I love how your gold oak leaf wreath turned out! The different shades of gold are so pretty and I do believe I could make this using your tutorial. What a beautiful wreath!
Thank you, Alli, you are so kind. 🙂 I hope you try your hand at making a wreath too.
I love your gold oak leaf wreath, you’re right it would be a beautiful transitional wreath. I pinned this idea for next year since we always have an abundance of oak leaves around here. I might have to add a few small acorns (painted silver maybe?) if I try to make it.
Hi, Jean!! It’s so good to “see” you!! Thanks so much for your kind words.
I do hope you remember to make one for yourself next year. It was such a rewarding project and fun, too!
Be blessed today!!
This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the palette of metallics you used. I need a wreath for above my mantel, if I have enough leaves left in the yard I think I’ll give this a go!
Awww… thanks, Lydia! I hope you find more than enough leaves!! Let me know how it goes.
All the best for a lovely Christmas!
Diane, this is stunning! It has depth of color with the different metallic paints. What a treasure.
Thank you so much, Jeanette! If I didn’t know that the leaves were picked up from the woods and spray painted I would think it was made of metal. Gotta love metallic paints. 😉
Have a blessed day!!
This is so pretty! I need one for my house and will need to remember this next year when the leaves start to fall. If I were you, I’d get this out next fall so that you could enjoy it from September until December!
Thank you, Paula! 🙂 I hope you remember next year… you’ll love what it does for your space. And now I have to remember to get mine out early next fall. 😉
Thanks for popping by, hope your day is extraordinary
Your wreath is positively lovely! Paula’s right… you could pull this out at fall’s first signs and leave it though winter! So glad to have you on the Home for the Holidays blog tour!!
You are so sweet! 🙂 Thank you, Sondra! And thank you so much for including me on the tour again. This really is a very special event and I’m so honored to be a part and appreciate all you work to help make it happen.
Be blessed today!
Free and BEAUTIFUL,you are speaking my language!!!!
Ha! When I picked up a table off the street a few weeks back I told the guy mowing who said it was free that free is best and he looked at me like I was crazy and said, “I don’t know about that!” BUT… there it is in the post, remade, and center stage… all for FREE!
Thanks for popping by Deborah!
Beautiful… so shiny pretty!
Thank you, Maryann! I love how it reflects so brightly in the lamplight of the night.
Diane, your wreath is just really lovely, naturally lovely. Being in the South I may have to get creative with the leaves I use, but I’m sure I could gather enough up to make this next year.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Hugs, Lynn
Lynn, you are so kind. Thank you for popping over and leaving your encouraging words.
Whatever leaves you use, find something of substance like the oak leaves. I’ve used maple leaves for projects and they get too dry and crumble quickly.
Sending blessings your way…
Wow we must’ve been on the same wavelength “shopping” our yards for this hop. Love how this came out!
Ha! 🙂 I think so!! Thanks for the kind words, Michelle!
I’m really into gold this year so I’m loving your gold leaf wreath, Diane! Great idea and so pretty!
Thanks so much Kristi!! I go around and around with gold, but it’s pretty much my favorite for Christmas.
This wreath is so pretty and I love that it can be kept up from the beginning of Fall through Christmas. I love the leaf tree too. I’m pinning this for next year.
Awww… thanks so much Leanne!! Isn’t it fun when you can get more mileage out of a project?
Wishing you an extraordinary day!
What a gorgeous idea for the holidays Diane! It’s beautiful!
Thanks, Heather! Gotta love a little bling for the holidays!
Beautiful! Just beautiful.
Thank you so much Rose!! And thanks for taking the time to pop by and say, “Hi!” Hope all is well on your side of the ocean. 😉
This is really beautiful! Very clever idea to paint the leaves, love it!
Awww… thanks, Jessica!! It’s those extra little steps that make a difference.
All the best for an extraordinary Christmas season!
love your use of the oak leaves. I have never seen them painted gold. love that.
Thank you, Laura! I paint everything gold at one time or the other for the holidays! 😉 Sometimes it’s successful, sometimes not. But, it sure is fun!
Diane, your wreath is absolutely gorgeous! I am so impressed with the work you put into this!
Thank you, Emily! Really it wasn’t difficult and went together quite quickly. I always mean to time my projects but get so engrossed I forget.
Have a blessed day, my friend!
I can’t wait to make one of these Diane!! It is STUNNING!!!! You did a wonderful job! So fun to be on the Holiday Home Tour together!!!!!
xoxoxo,
Jennifer
Awww… thank you, Jennifer!! You will absolutely have fun making an oak leaf wreath too. I hope to see it on your blog. 😉
It was fun to be on the tour together. 🙂 Maybe we can collaborate in some way sometime soon. 😉 Hmmmm…..
This is so pretty, Diane! I can see why your little neighbor liked it. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Awww… thank you so very much, Angie!! I’m enjoying it tonight as I sit here typing; every time I look up it just emits a warm feeling.
All the best for an extraordinary Christmas season!
Diane, this is gorgeous! We are surrounded by oak trees and I am definitely going to try this next year. Both the wreath and the tree are absolutely beautiful!
Carrie, you just made my evening… thank you so much! I’m so pleased it inspired you to try your hand at it too.
All the best for a blessed Christmas season!