Make an easy fall leaf wreath
September 20, 2009
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I fell in love with this beautiful fall leaf wreath recently:
I just fell in love with it and decided it. must. be. mine. Well...a slightly different version must. be. mine. I couldn't find the rectangle shape, of course. Then, I wanted a large circle, but the only place I've found those is at The Flower Factory, and that's a 45 minute drive for me...sooooooo, a small circle it was.
I am not a patient person, have I mentioned that?
I got my foam wreath at Joann's for $3 and spray painted it black, just a bit. I only did this so if I didn't get every little part covered with leaves, the white wouldn't be peeking out. (It's face down in this picture.):
I took my kitty:
I mean, my LEAVES:
I just purchased garland and snipped the leaves off. This one was $6.
I got some beady things to stick in after but didn't end up needing them, so this whole project was less than $10!
I started covering the foam here and there, using the hot glue gun:
You need to work fast -- the glue will melt the foam just a bit, and you'll need something to hold down the leaves while they adhere. Don't use your fingers. Just trust me on this.
I covered as much of the foam as possible to make it as fluffy as possible. Fluffy wreaths are a good thing. The garland had a few beady things already on it, so I just snipped those off and glued them in.
You need to work fast -- the glue will melt the foam just a bit, and you'll need something to hold down the leaves while they adhere. Don't use your fingers. Just trust me on this. I just filled and filled and filled...
I covered as much of the foam as possible to make it as fluffy as possible. Fluffy wreaths are a good thing. The garland had a few beady things already on it, so I just snipped those off and glued them in. It wasn't big enough for the spot I made it for, gah. But it was PERFECT hanging in front of our family room mirror:
I made sure to cover all the sides, even the back because you could totally see the foam on the unfinished back when it was hanging in front of a mirror:
These pictures kinda suck, because I forgot to take pics today...took them when it was getting dark -- sorry about that.
I made sure to cover all the sides, even the back because you could totally see the foam on the unfinished back when it was hanging in front of a mirror:
These pictures kinda suck, because I forgot to take pics today...took them when it was getting dark -- sorry about that. I really love it in this spot -- and yes, you can still see yourself right through the middle of the wreath:
That is, if you are exactly 5 foot, 9 1/2 inches tall. ;)
gorgeous! Even though I am a summer girl, I feel the need to start bringing in some fall decor. I MAY try to tackle it! thanks!
ReplyDeleteSarah, it is amazing!!! I think I might be able to do this one. :) Very very cute. Thanks for including pictures of each step...sweet kitty, by the way. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it... You are talented and tall? I am jealous!
ReplyDeleteTurned out super cute, I would have totally forgot the back too!
ReplyDeleteI bet if you wanted a rectangular one, you could use a large picture frame and wrap it in batting or something (to poof it up a bit) spray and glue.
Alyshia
adorable!
ReplyDeleteYeahh! I need a pretty wreath and this rocks! I just bought a couple bags of pretty leaves for $1.00 at Michaels and must try this!!
ReplyDeleteLook at you go lady! You totally rock! I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job! I love hand-made holiday wreaths. Your kitty cracks me up!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your guest post at Southern Hospitality and feature at One Project Closer! :)
Roeshel
So fun! I'm new to your blog, but I just wanted you to know that your fall decor inspired me. The JoAnn's here is having a buy one get one free sale on all their fall florals! So I bought a bunch and I'm going to spend the next few days putting out candles and leaves! Thanks for the ideas :)
ReplyDeletewhat a great fun wreath! thanks for all the fun tips.
ReplyDeleteI love your projects. I was thinking about a reef earlier today. I hit up the Dollar Tree in town and bought the leaves today!! I also was inspired to shopping for wall candle holders too. I did find some too.
ReplyDeleteStinking adorable wreath, and you are TOO stinking funny.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention tall and gorgeous.
That's awesome!! I am going to make one for our house!!
ReplyDeleteLove the wreath! Fall is my favorite season & I will be starting my decorating soon.
ReplyDeleteLOL @ the kitty...mine seem to do the same thing!!
I have a wreath stand and need something to hang on it so I may have to make one of these. Yours turned out awesome!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS!! Just BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeletePretty pretty....Im so ready for fall now~
ReplyDeleteSo adorable! And yay for tall girls! (5'10" over here at PrettyPinkRat)
ReplyDeleteLoving the fall spirit!
Love it! I still want to do the consult that I paid for back in July! OMG JULY! Where has the time gone???? I will try to get on it but with a new baby and work I am just swamped.... love the wreath!
ReplyDeleteI love it! And that's exactly how tall I am, too...
ReplyDeleteGreat Wreath! love it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE FALL! Just for this reason all the great craft ideas and easy too!Come look at my hammered pumpkins I made in one afternoon! And dont you love it when its all made on a dime! I do!
ReplyDeleteMuch better than what I currently have. I'm thinking I might just have to redo mine to look like that.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah - What if you used a large rectangular picture frame and just wrapped it with the garland, you could go around a couple of times to make it really full :)
ReplyDeleteOh and I wanna join the tall girls club - I'm 6'1'' :) LOL
Erica:)
i need to take a trip to the craft store now!! love how it turned out!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago, and I want to thank you for posting about your island makeover. We live in a new house, that is "cookie cutter"-ish. We came from a house built in the 20's. It had tons of character that I found I was craving in this new home. Thanks to your tutorial, my husband and I applied the beadboard to our kitchen and as a backsplash. It looks fabulous!! Our cabinets are maple and our countertops are black, so we painted the beadboard out a soft white. Thank you again!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome wreath! I have been seeing all the fall wreaths and this is the perfect idea. Can't wait to see how mine turns out. I have the perfect spot in mind. Thanks for sharing your tips. My first wreath to make ever!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I made my very first fall wreath this weekend & will be posting it myself too! So fun & easy to do!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the wreath (and the kitty!). I so wish I wasn't moving in the middle of my favorite season. I want to decorate for fall so badly, but what's the point, when I'm about to start packing everything up? I will have to make up for it next year!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty and you make it look so easy. I'm not very crafty, but I think I might give this a try!
ReplyDeletefantastic job!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it, it looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking wreath. My friend Stephanie over at Everything That Is Nice did the same idea, and used an old fram for her rectangle. Check it out here: http://everythingthatisnice.blogspot.com/2009/09/stirring.html
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. You are amazingly talented!! have a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteLove the wreath! I've never made one before, I need to. I also love that I can see you with your hair back and in a t-shirt. It is nice to know other bloggers don't always look fabulous, just like me. Comforting...
ReplyDeleteI actually like yours better than the picture! But what's the deal with spray painting foam? I was trying to do a little project a few weeks ago using foam cubes from the dollar tree meant for flower arrangements and the spray paint...like...melted the foam away. Was my dear husband spraying too close? Did you notice a little bit of your ring disintegrate? Hmph. Wish I hadn't of given up on my project now!
ReplyDeleteOh this wreath is so pretty! I really want to try this making this for sure. LOVE it! :)
ReplyDeletelove it. I think i will do one this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI like it layered over the mirror... I'm pretty sure I'd have to lower mine a bit to get the same effect (a good 5 inches)!
ReplyDeleteOh how I love fall leaves!!!! pretty pretty! It may be time to bring my fall decorations down from the attic very soon... hmmmmm
ReplyDeleteHi!!! How did u get the styrofoan tombstones to stick into the ground last year?
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to follow your blog for some much needed inspiration.Love the wreath!
ReplyDeleteI'm a real DIY novice, so have some questions. When you say "you'll need something to hold down the leaves...Don't use your fingers.", what would you suggest we use? Books, plates?? And how long do you hold it down? Did you place the leaves in layers; from side to side; big in the middle? Any additional instruction would be helpful to me who has never made anything but would like to. THANKS! Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI MUST make a Fall wreath right away!! LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteI also tried your Ballard Designs inspired squares... LOVE them too!!
Tiffany @ Mine Are Spectacular
seriously, i LURVE you blog! i came across it off another blog which was off another blog. i am a huge fan of a cozy and well put together home..but sometimes i get stuck in a rut when it comes to decorating my own. thank you so much for all the great ideas... i have already done a small laundry room m/o and for some reason i enjoy doing laundry more. well, sorta. i just wish i would get the courage to try beadboard. i l.o.v.e the look of it and have for many years. perhaps, i can bribe my husband to try it. keep the great ideas coming PUH-LEASE!! =) (ps, i also lurve the word luvre...one of the best words eva!)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! My cats feel the need to try & get in my pics, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, I have never made a wreath from the foam rounds,only the grapvive or straw. I didn't know if you would be able to use the ole trusty hot glue. Thanks for the information. It looks beautiful hanging in front of the mirror.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Absolutely GORG! And by the way...I so wish I was 5ft 9.5in tall! Lucky.
ReplyDelete~Amanda
Awesome timing! I just bought some stuff to do a fall wreath. I'll have to try this out.
ReplyDeleteAnd, here's something funny. I am exactly 5'9-1/2" tall too! What a coincidence. :D
Great job on the wreath! love it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm passing a award your way, come check out my post. Thanks Robin
Love the fall wreath! Thanks for all the ideas (I posted about you here: http://artbybritt.blogspot.com/2009/09/before-and-after_22.html) - I am inspired by your craftiness!!
ReplyDeleteI just googled this yesterday. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteOk so I went out searching for a rectangular wreath and appearantly they don't exist in Mississippi so I got a round one instead. Hoping mine turns out a fab as yours. I bought a pumpkin to hang in the middle like the BHG wreath but I cant figure out how to do it! UGH!!!! Love your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the wreath! Have to get done with our move before I can start thinking about my fall decor...So happy for your winners! I realized Erin From Our Hart to Yours won and that is one of my best friends! So happy for her!! I love your blog...always a great idea here!
ReplyDeleteHugs and love friend,
~Victoria~
That's great I really like your wreaths. Come on over and see the wreath I posted last week.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I just finished mine yesterday... I HAD to have the rectangle wreath because it's just too cute hanging on the mirror and my mirror is a rectangle. But I couldn't find one either so instead I bought a solid rectangle piece of foam and cut out the middle. It worked great! There's a picture here - http://kurtsclaysons.blogspot.com/2009/09/update.html
ReplyDeleteif you want to see.
Thanks for your fabulous blog and ideas!
My cats always find themselves "helping" with any project I happen to be in the middle of...
ReplyDeleteSweet! Just found you blog....LUV it.
ReplyDeleteYours turned out great!
ReplyDeleteI wish so badly I dared to use hot glue on the wreath I made! Maybe one day. It still turned out okay for my first one!
ReplyDeletehttp://diyingtobedomestic.wordpress.com/2010/10/05/diy-5-fall-wreath/
New follower from A Geek's Wife And Her Dog at www.ageekswifeandherdog.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your ideas!