holiday wreath

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving just happened......but it's already time to start ordering things for Xmas!  

How old is your wreath?  Time for a new one?  Ideas below.

How to choose?  What color is your front door?  What style is your home?  I would choose a different style for a Tahoe cabin than I would for a modern loft.  Wreaths can also go other places beyond the front door!

wreath class

Thanks my friend Sharon for telling me about a Fall Wreath Class at Minted!  Yes, you know Minted, the place where you get invitations and holiday cards.  They now have a darling store in SF and offer classes.

I attended the class with my friend Madeline, who bought my wedding dress (more on that crazy story later!), Sharon, and about 8 other lovely ladies.  We were led by Heather Lee of Hello Flowers.  She taught us how to use the wire in different ways for the different options.  She suggested only using part of the wreath as the branches look beautiful for fall.  Perhaps a half moon.  She usually starts at 12:00 and works her way to the right, overlapping the wire and stems of the flowers just placed.  (this sequence did not feel natural to me.....I started at 8:00 and worked my way from there.......follow your gut!).

I went for a neutral palate with soft fall colors.  We built the wreath on a grapevine wreath.  I used fall maple leaves, pinecones, straw flowers, another white flower that felt like straw-forget the name!, and the things that look like olives are eucalyptus pods.  I actually ended up paring down the wreath when I got home as I realized it was a bit too busy.  I look forward to giving this wreath as a gift to a very special friend!

summer sunflower wreath

I made this summer sunflower wreath for a friend for her birthday.  I chose greens with different shapes, sizes, & texture.  Although the sunflowers were cheerful, I actually would not use them again.  The stems are very thick, and the flowers are heavy.....not ideal for a wreath.  I layered in some wax flowers as a final touch.  Would this look joyful hanging on the side door to your kitchen?

spring wreath

I made this spring wreath for my friend for her birthday.  I included lots of different shapes & textures of greenery.  For the flowers, I stuck with pink & white but included different sizes.  What do you think?