Christmas

How to Create a Beautiful Dried Flower Wreath

| Heather

I’m learning more and more about how to enjoy the fruits of the garden year round. For example, we have been eating home-canned green beans all winter and it has been lovely to have a go-to side that we know was grown in our garden. Not to mention the dilly beans, strawberry jam, pepper jelly and more! I’ve also shared a simple pressed flower DIY, you can read about it here. The garden produces so many gifts.

I decided to grow statice this year. I chose the Forever Happy variety and it did not disappoint. I grew statice because I have fond childhood memories of my mom buying a dried statice bouquet each year from the local farm. I still remember how the bouquets hung beautifully from the ceiling, and how much she enjoyed picking out just the perfect one.

When the statice plants started blooming, I harvested them as they were ready. Then I hung them upside down in a dark closet to dry. Great news, statice is very easy to dry and keeps its color nicely. (You’ll see I also dried some of my hydrangea blooms and celosia.)

I knew I had to make something with the statice for my mom, because she inspired me to grow it and she loves all things purple. A wreath seemed like the perfect craft.

This DIY wreath was pretty easy, except, I will note that dried statice is prickly. You could use another method to create a wreath before it dries, and depending on the look you are going for, that might be the way to go. But here’s what I did…

Supplies:

  • Wreath form – I used Styrofoam
  • Ribbon – for wrapping the form
  • More ribbon – for creating a hanger and bow, this could all be the same ribbon too
  • Hot glue – the most evil yet highly-practical invention
  • A bunch of dried flowers of your choice

Directions:

  1. Line up all your dried flowers somewhere with pretty light and take no less than 50 photos to admire them. Sooo pretty!

2. Next, I wrapped the ribbon around the form to cover the Styrofoam. I added a dab of hot glue to the ribbon every few times around. Once it was covered, I also used ribbon to create the hanger.

3. Next, I painstakingly cut off stems and glued and glued and glued and glued and glued and glued and glued. Then I glued some more. Then more. Then I hung the wreath up, stared at it, and glued some more. I tried to use the beautiful variation in the colors of the flowers to the best advantage, spacing like colors around at first. It should feel intentionally random. You’ll note I also mixed in some white statice I got from a friend (thanks, Adrienne!).

4. When I was happy with the shape and distribution of the flowers, I tied a bow and hot glued it to the front of the wreath. It was pretty and feminine and just needed a bow. There you have it, a simple DIY to enjoy the garden all year round.

XO,
h

P.S. I wouldn’t hang this on the front door or outside as the dried flowers are pretty fragile. But if you have a window or interior door that needs some cheer then this wreath is perfect!

DIY Christmas Tree Skirt

| Heather

I thought it would be a good idea to wash our tree skirt in preparation for Christmas.

It. Was. Not.

Instead of a clean red and white tree skirt, I ended up with a clean red and pink tree skirt. Now, anyone knows me knows I am a big fan of pink. But I was not happy.

Instead of going out and buying a new one, I thought I could make a customized tree skirt. I know you might be shocked to learn, but I have a black, white, and red themed tree complete with polka dot ornaments. Shocked, right?

Materials:
Coordinating fabric – So I used some fake black velvet fabric and a Christmas print I found at Joann’s.
Matching Piping and Bias Tape or Ribbon
Ribbon to make ties

How-to:

  1. Start by cutting a circle out of your main fabric. Determine the desired radius of your tree skirt (mine was 18”) plus the radius you want to allow for the tree itself (a few inches). Draw out ¼ of a circle on tissue paper or wrapping paper to create your pattern. Lay out your fabric so you have four layers of fabric (fold in half lengthwise, then in half the other way). Pin your pattern and cut out.
    Tree Skirt Pattern
    The fake velvet I used had some stiffness to it, so I didn’t need to do anything to it, but depending on your fabric you might want to stiffen it with some interfacing or a second layer of fabric.
  2. You will need a second pattern for the accent fabric. The easiest way to do this is to use the first pattern to draw a second pattern using by adding 6.5” to the radius measurement from step one. This illustration should help explain.
    Tree3
  3. Cut an opening in both pieces. Again, this illustration is what you are looking for.
    Tree2
  4. Sew the accent fabric onto the main fabric, right sides together.
  5. Next I attached the bias tape between the two fabrics. You could top stitch this in place, but I cheated and used some stitch-witchery to make it easier.
    Tree skirt
  6. Next, I sewed the piping along the bottom of the accent fabric. I love finishing things with piping, it just looks awesome and I like the way it looks better than just a hem.
  7. Then, I hemmed the opening edges.
  8. Finally, I added ribbon ties every 5 or so inches in the opening. You could do buttons too, that would be really cool!
    Tree skirt

And a complete disaster (no, I’m not being overly dramatic) turns into an opportunity for creativity!

Tree skirt

–h

Tutu Tuesday: Part II No-Sew Tutu

| Heather

Tutu Tuesday part two, now that’s fun to say!! Tutu Tuesday continues this week with an even easier project!! Be brave, give it a try!

No-Sew Tutu

This tutu is quick, easy, super cute!! I made one for my niece for Christmas a few years ago and my sister also made her one to go with the Elsa Snowflake t-shirt. Now I think Kyrie needs her first tutu!

Materials:
Tulle – yardage depends on if this is for a little girl or a big girl… Start with at least 4 yards
1” Elastic long enough to fit around the waist plus 1 inch.

How to:

  1. Use a rotary tool and rotary mat and cut your tulle into 4” wide strips. You want them to be twice as long as you want the skirt. For example, for a 12” skirt (for a toddler) you will want 24” strips. I cut 12″ strips for Kyrie (she’s in 3 month clothes right now).
    Tutu5
  2. Sew the ends of your elastic together (I promise this is the only sewing). Overlap ½” and sew it together securely. Remember there will be tension on this stitch.
    Tutu7
  3. Use a dress form, stuffed animal, pillow, or something to put your elastic around. Start attaching the strips to the elastic, like so..
    Tutu8
    Tutu2
    Tutu3
  4. Continue until the tutu is as full as you desire. You can fit a bunch of those little strips on the elastic so just keep going. The poofier the better if you ask me!!
    Tutu4

Make it even more fun and mix two or three colors of tulle. Green and red for Christmas, different shades of blue for Elsa, etc.

Perfect Christmas gift for a little girl in your life. Also, a great project you could do work on with a cute kiddo.No-Sew Tutu
(my sweet niece playing in her tutu with her friend, Jessie)

–h

P.S. Did you miss Part I? Or you can read the conclusion of Tutu Tuesdays here.