another fall wreath

I wanted a new fall wreath. Yes, I have the antler wreath,the felt flower wreath, AND the bittersweet wreath but I just wanted to create a natural wreath with different colors and textures. Well, as natural as silk flowers and greenery go!

SO I went to my wreath stash and found a grapevine one with some green grape leaves on it and re-used that as my base. (it is in the upper left of the photo below) It also had a few fall colored leaves in it, but I pulled those out.

A quick trip to Michael's and I was on my way. I wanted a pretty muted color scheme, so I got some small pumpkins and painted them with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White (cause it's what I do!!)

As I said earlier, the colors were a little bit more subdued so I really wanted to show lots of texture.

A few Hydrangea, some pheasant feathers, and some soft, puffy wheat looking things (?) I barely used my glue gun except for the pumpkins and to get some of the bigger stuff to lay down better.

The pumpkins had just one quick coat of the ASCP on them. I painted a few larger ones with a mix of Old White and Antibes Green, but you will have to wait to see where I use those later.

I love Lotus pods!! (who doesn't)

Yes the scary Halloween is all put away until next year and the carved pumpkins that started to rot were thrown away. But the ones I got from the farmers market for so cheap are still solid as ever!!

If you are wondering why my storm door is open in this photo, there are 3 reasons. The kids Halloween window clings are still on the glass, I didn't want to have to clean the glass, and the wreath is so thick, it will not allow the door to close. So, I am now displaying it on a wreath hanger in front of my fireplace, but you don't get to see that until I remove my Halloween decor and just do the fall decor for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

linking to:

I'm a roadkill rescuer

Have you had a chance to visit Roadkill Rescue?

Beckie features others roadkill rescues cause who doesn't love to see the before & afters??

 She has featured my Spooky Mantle, you can view that post here.

Beckie also has 3 other blogs (busy gal!!). you can find her here...

Felt rosettes

I saw a post on Little Things Bring Smiles where Katie made some felt wreaths for her parents. I thought it could be a fun and quick way to dress up a boring grapevine wreath.

I was at Michaels today and bought some 9X12" felt sheets in different fall colors. I used

a lid for my template & cut circles. I did larger as well as smaller ones too.

I then just cut a spiral. My circles or spirals are not perfect. I would be much more particular if I was using real wool to make the rosettes. 

You can make the flowers 2 different ways. you can start in the center, using your hot 

glue gun every so often to tack down the felt. 

This helps prevent it from unraveling. Like the image above.

Or you can start on the end and roll all the way up the spiral. When you are done you 

will have a cone that you can day some of the glue on and the tiny circle in the center you can glue over the center and secure with glue.

I sat outside in the gorgeous weather and just cut circles.It was very relaxing & I bet you could do 

a hundred of them in front of the TV. I chose some pink because I thought they would look 

cute on a barrette for my daughter.

I picked up a couple of single prong hair clips. If you are making some for hair accessories, I suggest using smaller circles for smaller flowers.

I am also going to glue some extras I made on a headband for her. These would make very quick, inexpensive gifts. You could attach them to scarves, make a necklace, pillow accents or even on a gift package for the holidays!

Here is a wreath I found in my store room. I can't tell you how old it is or when/if I ever used it. I dusted it off and got to gluing! 

The color looks like one of the flowers is blue, but it is actually purple. Not sure what the deal is.

Can I just tell you how much I hate using a hot glue gun?? Does everybody else get 2nd & 3rd degree burns while using it?? The glue accidentally gets on your finger tip and you can NOT remove it until it cools off. In the mean time your brain is on overload from the pain of the burn. You can do nothing but jump up & down & scream.

I think I would have liked them better if I just did the flowers without the leaves. I may take the leaves off and add more rosettes. Not sure. 

\

It is soo bittersweet

My husband works for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He is outdoors almost every day. 

He gets to enjoy natures bounty for all the seasons. Every once in a while I have a request for him.

In the fall it is Bittersweet- the berry's!!!

They end up with a orange/reddish berry on them, but if you pick them early enough, 

you can get this beautiful buttery yellow berry. 

I took a grapevine wreath that only had a little bit of faux grapes & leaves on it.

I just started by cutting some of the smaller branches off the big hunk he brought home. I did not use any glue or wire, just tucked them in between the vines of the wreath. 

I think it is just perfect! I love that it is not symmetrical & I love that it is all natural.

Here it is hanging on the front porch.

Or the front door?? Hmmm, can't decide which I like better. Any thoughts??

Linking to: