With the holidays in full swing, I’m getting the nesting urge. Bad. As a busy mum of three, I’ve learned that sometimes it is ok to say “no” to emails and dishes and laundry, and just doing something purely for fun. I’ll pour myself a cup of coffee in my Anthropologie mug, turn on some James Taylor, put a movie on for the kids (or maybe get them all to take a nap….simultaneously), and create something. Just for me. It feels so rebellious, but in a good way. 🙂
This wreath was made with magnolia leaves from my front yard, one of my favorite things about this teeny little rental home we live in. If you don’t have a magnolia tree, or know someone who does, I suggest going to the park or walking through your neighborhood and looking for one. The leaves for this project were all on the ground and had turned their various shades of brown, and I think bringing a bag to a park and collecting them, would be perfectly acceptable. Maybe ask your neighbors before rummaging through their yards, though?!
I loved how this turned out so much, that I ended up making two of them, and they hang from torn linen in my kitchen windows. I think they look so perfect for autumn, and will transition into winter with us (maybe with a spray of muted gold spray paint). Every time I look at them, I think, “I’m so glad I said no to housework that afternoon, and took the time to make these.”
May you find therapy in creating, today and everyday.
STEP ONE/ Cut a 4-inch piece of floral wire, place your magnolia leaf on the wire wreath form, and loop the wire underneath the two.
STEP TWO/ Give it a good twist.
STEP THREE/ Twist until it’s all the way twisted and leaf is secure. (It may wobble a bit, depending on how large your leaves are, but you can secure it more at the end with hot glue.)
STEP FOUR/ In a pattern, stagger your magnolia leaves, one on top of the other, and secure with floral wire as you go.
STEP FIVE/ When all your leaves are secured with floral wire and your wreath is full, go back and secure any loose leaves with your glue gun. Because magnolia leaves are hardy, you may have to pinch the two leaves together that you’re gluing until it fully dries.
To add the linen strip I hung mine from, I just snipped a bit into my linen fabric and then pulled until I ripped one long ribbon of fabric. I tied it to the back of the wreath form and hung from a small nail above my window. I love that rustic look!
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