By ALDONA BIRD
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
With changing seasons comes time to change the wreath on your door, which in my case has been hanging there since the last DIY wreath instruction in this feature.
As leaves begin to change and drop and grasses and flowers dry, a new palette and new materials present themselves.
Embrace autumn by adding seasonal flare to your home via a wreath. This project is so customizable, the possibilities are endless.
Start with a bare wreath. You can make a wreath out of grape vines, wisteria branches, willow branches, an embroidery hoop, or any other circular object.
Next, gather decorative materials. Take a walk in the woods or along a trail and look for interesting grasses, flowers, leaves, pine cones or other natural objects that strike your fancy.
You can also look for materials and inspiration in your kitchen and craft supply boxes. Cinnamon sticks, citrus sliced and dried along with other materials can all make your wreath look unique.
Next, check your craft supplies for twine, ribbon and other bits and bobs.
Using a simple wreath as a base, such as an embroidery hoop or simple wooden circular picture frame with glass removed, you can make a unique look by decorating in the center of the wreath rather than just along the edge.
Achieve this by filling the center with taut chicken wire (use wire, twine or heavy duty staples to secure along the edges) and then weave dried grasses through, attach dried fruit, or other decorations around the edges and into the center.
Another way to move away from the traditional wreath limitations is to wrap twine across the diameter of the circle in one direction. Wrap a single layer of twine around until you have several inches width.
Into this band, weave the stems of dried flowers, fall foliage or other natural materials, so the flowers or leaves are above the twine but are secured into it.
Weave materials in densely, or leave space between for a more dramatic effect. This design works well with a range of colors, a limited palette or a monochrome style.
Of course, natural materials foraged at this time of year also work well with a more traditional style. Gather dried grasses and bundle them. Secure one large bundle to your wreath for an asymmetrical result. Add smaller and shorter bundles to that same area if needed to fill it out.
Or you can secure to your base many small bundles of dried grasses, overlapping each other to fill the entire circumference of the wreath.
Tuck in pine cones, acorns or other nuts. Rose hips are now on bushes and can add a pop of nice color to your wreath.
Enjoy some time outside as the weather cools to gather materials, and let them inspire you in your autumn wreath creation.
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