The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Monday 27 October 2014

Easy. Cheap. Amazing wreaths.

I always look in home wares shops and florists for inspiration and see amazing things at not so amazing prices! At the end of last year I saw table centre arrangements for Christmas and wreaths that were almost $300 each. I even took photos to remind me as they were lovely but...

I also noted the wreath I loved most was the exact size of a hoola hoop. On study I think it was a hoola hoop as the base. Interesting! Anything to do with floristry is expensive. I have been to Adelaide's florist suppliers and even there it is still expensive so a hoola hoop from a cheap shop is much cheaper than a wreath base. The arrangements were made of what you would say were fake pine branches the same is on a Christmas tree. Another idea is a pool noodle as a base if it can be joined into a circle.

In January I saw in Woolworth's a Christmas tree marked down to $3.75 because the box was broken. I grabbed it. And it has been waiting until now to become something!

Usually I see hoola hoops in cheap stores and just when I want a couple I could not find one. However I know they were about $5 before. I saw Andy had garden irrigation plastic pipe which is about the same thickness and he made some into circles for me as a substitute. He said they would have worked out under one dollar each so even better.

He also helped me cut up the Christmas tree with snippers. So what I ended up with was a pile like this and two hoops...




Two large wreaths used up my whole Christmas tree so I am watching out... last year I saw several Christmas trees in boxes on the side of the road. I figured people had bought a flash new tree and were getting rid of the old one. If I find one of these I will do the table centre pieces I am talking about.

Using florists tape I simply strapped pine branches around my "hoola hoops" in an overlapping fashion. The florist tape is green so isn't noticeable. Then I fluffed up the branches to look good. Each one I bent a little so it sat around the circle nicely.

The first wreath is for Mum and Dad. They have deer on their property so I did a deer theme. They also have a huge handmade front door and this will look amazing on it. If Mum is reading my blog she will see it!



The deer was from the supermarket and the ribbon and the tinsel was from Spotlight. All up this wreath cost under $20 still. 

Now for mine which worked out much less as I already had the birds and the next.... 



I nested my nest in and settled my birdie in with her eggs...





She reminds me of myself as she looks very happy with her glittery nest :)



I loosely wound tinsel and ribbon around the wreaths and finished off with bows and long tails that will sway in the breeze as these will both be outside and the breeze will give some movement. The covering the hoops with the pine was the biggest job, that took a little while. The decoration took minutes.

My base was black. If I was going to sell these I think I would spray paint the base green or cover it first in florist tape so it is entirely green then add my pine. Also a purchased hoola hoop would likely be pink or bright and need painting green or covering or these colours would show through.

But I have ended up with two huge wreaths for under $40 when the one I am copying would be over $500 for two! Which seems ridiculous but thats true.

You could do any theme your heart desires if you collect or find something you like. A little group of glittery pinecones would work too from our free things from nature ideas. 

I really enjoyed making these.

This afternoon I have to go into the city. I will be keeping my eyes out for more ideas I might be able to copy. It is amazing how cheaply things can be made. 

Have a wonderful day and enjoy this last week of October. Here it has rained and is really cool which is nice for the garden.

Now to watch out for a discarded Christmas tree for table decorations OR swags for the mantle piece! 
xxx


                                                                    

13 comments:

  1. Wow! Very impressive Annabel! They look fantastic. You have given me an idea to overhaul a plain gold bauble wreath I have. Last year I had a red and gold theme and added red wired ribbon I'd bought for 50c on clearance the year before to dress it up with bows. This year I will see what I've gathered after christmas sales last year to makeover a new look. It is nice to makeover basics and reuse with a different look each year. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for a tree now for next year to do something like you have done. I can see a basic large wreath like that getting a new look each season. Thanks for the inspiration. xoxo

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    1. Thank Kaye! WHen you see the prices in the shops this is well worth doing. Also metallic spray paint (from cheap shops) is great to change decorations of you don't like the colours. It is really fun to use too... I hope I get to see the results! xxx

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  2. The wreaths look great, Annabel and so economical. I won't be putting up Christmas decorations this year as I will be helping my daughter with her new bub but will keep them in mind for next year. Thanks for the ideas.

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    1. Dear Nanna Chel, It sounds like you are in for a pretty wonderful Christmas present with a new baby in the family! I would never have managed so well without the help my own Mum gave me. And my girls are so close to her today in their twenties. I hope it's my turn soon! Love Annabel.xxx

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  3. These are beautiful!!! I love them! Gorgeous.
    Kind wishes,
    Flora

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    1. Thank you so much Flora. They were really fun to make... I cant wait to have ours on the front door... I wait until Dec 1st thats some kind of family rule! Thank you for commenting! xxx

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  4. Stunning work as always Annabel. Just gorgeous! I adore the deer head :)

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    1. Thanks Mimi. I am craving one with white feathers inspired by yours of pink feathers. One day I will get to it. Mum will like hers I think.xxx

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  5. THEY TURNED OUT AMAZING! Oh, my goodness, girl! What FUN they must've been!

    Hugs,
    Kelley~

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    1. Thanks Kelley. You know since last week all I can think about is indoor window boxes. You have really got me on this one and cant wait to see! xxx

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  6. Lovely work!! Thanks for sharing your creativity with the Thursday Blog hop!

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    1. Thank you Pam. I am finding a lot of lovely blogs and people through the Thursday Blog hop! Loving it!

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  7. Hello, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
    I like to write a little comment to support you.

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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