While I was slaving-away in the lottie...perspiration dripping from my brow...flushed cheeks...my muscles aching right down to the bone...my knees stiff from kneeling for waaaay too long, my merry partner went out on a reconnaissance mission to check-out who had been pruning their "Knot willows". Now is the time when these trees must be pruned. They must be pruned because if they are not then rain water will collect in the furrows and creases in the "knot" at the top of the trunk and a rotting process will begin. The knotwilg, as we call it is a component which makes-up the typical Dutch countryside scene. Anyway, she came back with a bundle of yellowish switches...and a toothy grin from ear to ear. :-D All that white--I almost had to put my shades on! Well, she had never done it before but what she wanted to do was make a wreath. Of course I can't give you a detailed account of how she did it, because some of us had to do REAL work of course... Basically, she wound the thickest switches first...tied them securely, then began using singular ones to give it 'body'. I don't actually know how long she worked on it but at the end she was complaining that her hands and thumbs were quite uncomfortable. Here is what the basis looked like that afternoon. I have to admit that it looked pretty nice hanging there on the shed door. Just as nice as the ones that you can buy for an arm and a leg in the garden and handicraft centers. Once home the fun began. She dismembered the old wreath and took some bits from it to help form the finished product. When I got home that night it was ready. Here it is still on the table. She thought to take some pics of her handiwork so that she could send them to friends and family. I liked it so much, I thought that I would show it on here. She gets all the credit for this project. Here is the wreath on the front door. Those pinky flowers remind me of Daisybean's avatar a bit.
She did a super job on that wreath, it looks very springy and welcoming. I imagine her fingers and hands are sore, that base is fantastic, so nicely round and tightly formed. Good job well done.
That is truly a work of art Sjoed.The wreath was so perfectly wound and is probably better than the ones you buy.Please tell her that I really enjoyed seeing her art.
Gosh that is really lovely Sjoerd!! She did a fantastic job on the wreath and it's just the thing to welcome in spring. I'm impressed.
Thank you 4-G. I shall pass your words on. Thanks to you too, TONI--Yes, her fingers and hands are well sore. They were actually a little puffy the next morinig and a bit stiff, but that will soon be gone. I shall pass on the comments. I shall tell her right after this posting GLENDA, how much you enjoyed the wreath. I told her it looked really good too. I was surptised at how good it was made too. It will be very strong oncve the switches dry out thoroughly. The prices in the stores are ludicrous--around 30-70 euro's. Rediculous! DROOPY--hahaha I don't know. I wonder how many a person could make in a day...I guess you get faster, the more you make. Thank you so much, EILEEN--I will give her the compliments from you. She is quite proud of her handiwork, but of course when the compliments come from someone else, she appreciates that very much...as if it's MORE believeable. hahaha Just kidding.
Great job Mrs. Sjoerd!! That base is very well done. I have made those kinds of bases and yes the hands do hurt alot afterwards. The end result is very colorful and says "Spring". Beautiful!
A beautiful looking wreath. I can appreciate the effort in making the wreath base. I have made grapevine, which is more pliable and evergreen which are more loosely wrapped...those vines look rigid. That should last for a long while. I like the combination of spring flowers.
Thanks alot, BIITA-- I know that you have made these sorts of things...you make lots of stuff. That wreath DOESsay, "Spring", doesn't it. GAIL--Thank you for your nice comments. The willow switches are actually quite pliant and bendy, but strong. I think that you are right about this one lasting a long time. I will cross my fingers that that is so.
Ooh! I just love that! It's no wonder her hands hurt. It's really beautiful though, and the flowers are pretty on it too. Springy and refreshing looking. Reminds me of a color wheel in a way.
Thanks CHERYL, I will do that. Glad you liked the posting, DAISY. I agree that it loks springy. Thanks so much, NETTY.
wonderful looking wreath sjoerd! well done mrs. sjoerd! what is the thing in the middle of the wreath on your front door sjoerd? i like the horseshoe...reminds me i need to put the one i found yesterday up!
