This is my favorite kind of crafting: mixing natural materials with recycled ones. We have tons of pine trees of all different varieties. Cones are bountiful, but you have to get them early on in the season or the squirrels will gnaw them to bits. Weeks ago I gathered bunches along with some dried pods. I had free and easy wreaths on my mind. We finally got to them last week and I'd love to share how they're made because who doesn't like a simple (and did I mention free?) project that looks lovely, too.
Supplies:
-recycled cardboard "doughnuts" cut in various sizes (we cut ours out of the pizza box my son had used for his Halloween costume)
-pine cones gathered from your nearest forest or back yard
-various dried flowers and pods (wild grasses would look nice, too)
-white glue and/or glue gun
-hole puncher
-twine
Make:
- Punch hole near the top of each doughnut and thread some twine through to create a hanging loop.
- Adhere natural materials to the cardboard in arrangements that are pleasing to you. In other words: PLAY! Use white glue for small pods and a glue gun for the cones.
- Let dry.
- Hang.
I was so disappointed that the dark and rainy days of last week made photographing them impossible... then came the inspiration to hang them outside. Our back entrance never gets much attention this time of year, but it's still in constant use. These "all weather" wreaths make it quite welcoming... and I've decided to keep them out there for the rest of the season.
Happy Monday!
beautiful! I love your use of cardboard and twine here, rather than wire, commonly used for wrapping wreaths.
ReplyDeleteWow, these pack quite the punch for something "free". They're beautiful. And are now on my "to make with kids" list. Thank you Maya!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so nice!
ReplyDeleteI love your use of cardboard.I’m glad to read this blog.
ReplyDeleteThey are the bees veritable knees. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteThese are great and a simple way of making things looks feative and seasonal
ReplyDeleteI love these. I bet they make you even happier looking at them knowing you used recycled goods to make them. I may have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteYeah Maya those are so beautiful. Happy Monday to you, too!
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be making one of these wreaths. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeletebeautiful, I'll try that as well with my girls and I will hang them out side as well. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful, Maya...I am having such a lovely time going through and catching up on all of your beautiful posts. They are all so calming & inspiring. I love coming here.....:)
ReplyDeletexo
Melis
these are lovely! we will surely make some this season, thanks for the inspiration! ;)
ReplyDeletei will gather some pinecones and other natural elements to try this project. i've been trying to find a simple project for wreaths specifically to decorate one of my bookcases. these are just right.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteSimple and perfectly gorgeous!
Great idea! Hmm.. now to try and find cones like that in Texas!
They look lovely. They remind me of when I was living in Germany - we went out and gathered fallen pine twigs to make the wreath for our advent candles.
ReplyDeletejust lovely and so simple! enjoy your week!!!
ReplyDeleteThose were made for that spot. I love the simplicity of them, just striking.
ReplyDeleteI just love these! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThey're wonderful and we will definitely be trying these. Thanks for the inspiration :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are *lovely*, and I have a co-blogger who I think is going to adore them.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty, pretty. Oh, why do I live where there are no pine trees?
ReplyDeletethey are gorgeous and look fantastic hanging together - you are so lucky having all those varieties of cones.
ReplyDeleteSimple, free and gorgeous... my favorite craft combination!
ReplyDeleteMy two 3 year olds and I collected some dried milkweed pods this morning, because they looked interesting...now I know what we can do with them :)
ReplyDeleteoh so gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI like!
ReplyDeleteI am just pondering some ideas for my pine & spruce cones.
Jody
such lovely inspiration, thanks!
ReplyDeleteand who shot that totally beautiful picture of you maya?
ReplyDeletemy complements to the photographer
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ReplyDeleteLove this project for its simplicity and beauty!
ReplyDeleteMaya,
ReplyDeletethere are fantastic!!!! so natural, beautiful ....wow!
I love your blog! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas! (:
ReplyDeleteThe kiddos recently went out and gathered like a bazillion small pine cones, and now I know EXACTLY what we are going to do with them! Thanks for a great idea :).
ReplyDeleteI love these. I've been trying to decide how to display my pinecones and other natural bits, this looks perfect. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteI love these! They are oh-so-very-naturely-cute and easy to make. I'll have to try!
ReplyDeleteoh my God! you are so creative!
ReplyDeleteplease take a look at my love cotton wreath :)
http://idekuhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-workshop.html
it's not so good as yours, but I'd love to share with you.
thank you :)
I just wanted to thank you for this wonderful idea! We are headed up north for the holiday weekend and my oldest and I will be packing enough warm clothes for a hike through the woods to gather all we need to make our own holiday wreaths. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteHa - now I know what I'll be doing this weekend with my little one. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI made my own nature wreath today, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeletehttp://charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-nature-wreaths.html
Hope you like it.
Charlotte :)
I looove ALL of them - so creative Maya!!! I may have to hunt down some pinecones over here ; )
ReplyDeleteGreat project...for sure going to try this with my little ones!
ReplyDeleteJulie
www.onapathtomypassion.blogspot.com
Love these!!! Simple, natural and lovely. Can't wait to make some with my daughters.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I certainly have the supplies for these. This is pinned and on my to do list. Thanks!
ReplyDelete