One of my favorite things to do each fall is to clean up my yard and garden for beautiful natural items to create a gorgeous wreath for the season. Earlier this spring, we planted a group of new hydrangea bushes in the gardens. Living on Cape Cod, hydrangeas seem to be synonymous with our coastal life, so it seemed natural to pick up some dried flowers and incorporate them into a wreath. I love the way the once vibrant flowers fade into greens, pinks, maroons, and browns.
melissa caughey
Put down a piece of paper to protect your workspace. Start with your vine wreath. Using a pair of scissors, remove any stubborn parts of the vine.
After you've swept your yard, feel free to head to your local craft store to supplement your natural finds. I find that craft stores tend to have great dried floral products during this time of year that make a wonderful filler for wreaths.
melissa caughey
For this wreath, I used some oak leaves as filler. I just glued them in place in a circular fashion to create a nice base for the rest of the crown.
melissa caughey
Next, start adding the hydrangea flowers to the crown. I placed them on the crown before gluing them in place to achieve the look I was going for.
melissa caughey
To complete the wreath, I took some dried wheat stalks, trimmed them down, and glued them in place. I also added some small dried berries to complete the look.
melissa caughey
Next, take about 12 inches of ribbon or twine and wrap it around the top of the wreath to create a hanger. This wreath needs to be protected from the weather and the elements. Try hanging it on a doorway, over the fireplace, or even place it in the center of your dining room table and fill the center with a few pumpkins or white candles for a fall-inspired centerpiece.
You may also want to lightly spray the dried hydrangea flowers with hairspray to help protect them and prolong their life.
