This is how I make our Christmas wreaths. I use thuja, and cut off the little side twigs: Here's one that's easy to cut, and I can use the twigs as they are: I cut them as close to the branch as possible: This twig is too long, so I have to divide it in three: This is the perfect size for me: I make a huge heap before starting on the binding: I fasten the string by doing a couple of turns around the wreath base: Then I make a little bouquet in my hand. I like to use about this much at a time: I fasten it with one turn of the string: The second one goes a bit furter up and a bit further to the right, if that's the way you're working: And another turn with the string will fasten that: Then the third one is ready. I need to find out where this will overlap the first one's stems but without getting too high up. That will make my wreath rather bulky: Keep on going like this until you're nearly done. I usually take a couple of turns around the base and material with irregular intervals, to keep the string tight. Then it's the finishing-off. Lift the first ones up, put the last couple of bouquets as far in as you can get them and wind the string a couple of times: There. All done. If you, like my neighbour, likes your wreath neat a little garland is nice to use in order to keep the thuja in place. I now have to find out what's up and down, and place the big bow. I always place it off-center, a bit to the right: Since holly sometimes is rather "holly-ble" to work with I usually stick some twigs in near the end, and fasten them either with the garland or some glue: My neighbour likes birds, so she will get birds in her wreath: There, all done, and it's time for me to sneak out and place the wreath on the neighbour's door. I have to wait until they're both inside and busy. Wreath's in place and now I wait for the best part: The holler when one of them open the door and jump because something's on it.
That one is beautiful too. You are such a nice neighbor to do that every year, bet they really enjoy the surprise and your thoughtfulness.
Thank you all for liking my neighbour's wreath. The whole business started out as a prank, really. I had lots of greenery and itchy fingers and made one wreath too many. Not knowing what to do with it and my imagination fueled by red wine I snuck over and hung the wreath on the neighbour's door. They liked the gesture and brought it back to me after the holidays, thanking me for letting them borrow it and asking if they could have it back next Christmas. I've got the best neighbours, so I'll happily make them a wreath for as long as they want one.
That is a great demonstration. And I just love the story of the wreath and your neighbors' door. What a sweet, wonderful tradition.
That is such a nice story. I would love to be your neighbor and have such a wonderful wreath on my door each year. So the red wine fuels you ...as well!!
Oh I want!!! Droopy that wreath is gorgeous. I've said it before but I'll say it again -I wish I were your neighbour. Thanks for the detailed instructions on how you make your wreaths. I don't think I could ever make one as lovely as yours though.
Thank you! And please do try. The point is to make a wreath you like yourself. We can make five wreaths here and they all look different, which is how it's supposed to be.
OH Droopy!! That is so beautiful!!! To bad I am allergic to pine sap I would love to make one of those!!! but can't deal with the hives and love the story about your neighbors.. I do something simular but during the late spring /early summer months.. When stuff starts to come up and I discover an overcrowding issue I will go and plant stuff in three of my neighbors yards I am up at "zero butt ugly" every morning and end up doing most of my gardening by street light with aid from a hand held... I adore the "birdie wreath" you made for the nieghbors..It goes exquisitly with their big blue door!! :-D *I also love your "craft mat"* teehee
Thank you Bluewolf. Are you allergic to thuja sap as well? I love your "guerilla planting", maybe I should do that some time. Probably not, my neighbours would think it's a weed. The craft mat was the only plastic table cloth I could find in the shops I had time to whizz through a while ago, so I just bought it. It's so ugly it doesn't matter if we ruin it.
I don't know i'm not even sure what Thuja is... Yeah that's what I was afraid of too but by the time most of my neighbors get around to going out and working the "transplanted" items are almost ready to bloom My one neighbor lady (in her 90's) bought had a stroke when pretty daffodiles came up in her yard She knew it was me because I am the only gardener The only reason I was teasing you about it is because it looks like a kids activity mat that we sell over here I just thought it was funny is all :-D
