Christmas Wreaths ~ A great way to welcome your guests!

Christmas ball ornaments
plastic bags
dried flowers
wrapped candy
toys from fast food chains
berries
styrofoam balls

AND a bunch of other stuff?

One of my favorite decorations is a wreath my daughter made for me when she was about 13. She made it using a straw wreath. She wrapped it diagonally, first with light gray velvet ribbon, then topped that with a light blue velvet ribbon and that with a burgundy/beige mix ribbon that is still beautiful. She's now 37 and that wreath still gets hung every Christmas!

In the years that have passed, I've attached a 5" tall, stuffed Christmas mouse that Tom, my husband, gave me, to the top, right side of the wreath...he managed to find a mouse that had burgundy and gray attire!

Along with the mouse I've added ornaments that are made from artificial greens that came with musical instruments, pine cones, music scrolls...you get the idea.

I've included the "how to" for my wreath if you'd care to try your hand! It's an easy project and one that you'll be proud to display in your home or give as a gift to someone special.

I suggest reading the basics before starting just to familiarize yourself :)

YOU NEED:

3 - yds. 1" wide velvet ribbon, your color choice **
3 - yds. 3/4" wide velvet ribbon, your color choice **
3 - yds. 1/2" wide velvet ribbon, your color choice **
1 - 14" straw wreath *
1 - wreath hanger
pine cones - optional
glue gun
glue for glue gun
newspaper

1. lay the newspaper on a flat surface.

2. With the 1" wide ribbon, starting at the back of the wreath, firmly secure one end of the ribbon with glue to the wreath.

3. Wrap the ribbon at evenly spaced intervals, diagonally around the circle; when it's all wrapped, cut off any excess and glue the end.

4. With the 3/4" wide ribbon, adhere one end centered on top of the 1" wide piece. Follow to the end, clip any excess and adhere with glue.

5. Repeat step 3 using the 1/2" wide ribbon.

5. Attach pine cones where you think they look best. Add any other ornaments you think would look good or leave it as is...

That's it! Hang it with pride and enjoy...

* Size suggested for this project

** If you prefer something other than velvet, go for it! You might want silk, plain old anything...no problem! This is now your project...have FUN!

Ribbon in all colors and sizes can be found at your very favorite craft store and sometimes in Dollar stores!

In the following youtube videos, you will find that your only limitation is your imagination :)

I hope you're inspired to get creative! Look around in your yard at all the greens nature provides...do you see a wreath forming? :)

As you can see from the videos almost anything goes! If your creative urges overcome your inhibitions: TAKE PICTURES, please! Photographing and storage are two wonderful ways for you to share your treasures for a very long time to come!