Wreath Junkie

A time to make, and hang, and store. . . Yes, I know that is not one of the seasons commonly referred to, but it is my own rendition because it goes with my post today.

There was this one time (who am I trying to bamboozle--I have created many wreaths throughout the years) that I was inspired to make wreaths...well, first a snippet of background information...I have always liked wreaths so I bought wreaths, was given wreaths, or handcrafted wreaths over the years, and even own several books on the subject of making wreaths---Martha Stewart's, Great American Wreaths that shows a wreath based on some token pertaining to every state in the union and Country Living's, Handmade Wreaths: Decorating Throughout the Year that uses home grown and found in nature items to create wreaths for every season of the year--just to name two.  I have four totes and three large boxes of wreaths in my array of accouterments that take up part of my basement--the part that houses my treasures! 

Last winter I was watching MS and one of her employees was demonstrating how to use coffee filters to make some pretty cute wreaths.  She had made them to sell at a craft bazaar that happens at MS each year.  My wreath-making passion was awakened and I decided that I had to give it a try--well, I made one and it was pretty nice, I was amazed how inexpensive white coffee filters took on another persona as they were folded, glued, fluffed, and glittered or painted.  Well, that was the beginning--I made another a bit smaller and it was perfect!  I was even more excited about the wreaths after my sister (who sometimes does not appreciate my creations) commented that mine was neat and that she wanted one.  And so began my mini, several month obsession with coffee filter wreaths--an obsession that lasted from Thanksgiving to Valentines' Day.  Sooo, I made wreaths for It Girl, my sister, my niece, my two twin "mary god daughters", and even helped MPS make one for her sweet mom and Grandma C.  My wreath count was up to twelve including the ones I made for myself, but who was counting.  I learned alot about coffee filters during this wreath making obsession--not really important.  My white glittered round wreath or my red glittered heart wreath hung on my utility room door for more than two months and still looked good when I carefully stowed them in a tote.  I love these wreaths even though they left glitter remains all over my utility room.  Wish my camera upload cable would work so I could post pictures of my wreaths--I will post pictures when I hang them again.

From coffee filter wreaths I went on to Peeps wreaths.  Yes, I saw the idea in a Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate magazine and had to have one.  Since I was on a "let's make wreaths" binge, I made one.  Mine was made with yellow rabbits--it was cute!  I think one that uses all colors of Peeps would be really cute too.  Again, the picture is on my camera that does not have a working upload cable--ugh!  I will post pictures.

Wreaths are made from material, tulle, and/or ribbons that are wrapped, gathered, or tied on.  They are adorned with pearls, Christmas balls, buttons, decorated styrofoam balls, candy, popcorn not to mention items from nature such as flowers (real, silk, dried, or paper), seeds, twigs, and leaves.  Here are a few examples of some pretty cute wreaths that I like...

 

Basic Black Crepe Paper and Ice

  Cups and Drink Umbrellas

Balloons and Buttons

 Book Pages and Old Style Clothespins

Candy Canes for Christmas and Valentine's Day

Glitter, Garland, and Acorns

All wreath images are from pinterest.com...I love them and will probably have to try my crafting skills on a few of them too.

Well, here we go again...these season wreaths are next on the list.  I think I will start with the Autumn Wreath.  Next, the Winter Wreath, the Spring Wreath, and then the Summer Wreath.  I am going to paint my front door black (already have the paint.)  So here they are...

 Autumn Wreath

 Winter Wreath

 Spring Wreath

Summer Wreath

These wreaths are from Jones Design Company.  They are so cool--made from burlap, wool, linen, or jute twine.  The instructions are available on the site--the tutorials are easy to follow.  Can't wait to get started--maybe these can be gifts?  Love them.  The Wreath Junkie crafts on!

I really like wreaths, Rowe pottery, trinkets, silver serving trays, #2 pencils, unspoken secrets, and tulle just to name a few more.

May the seasons be good to you,

Mary

Ready for Summer?

Seasons--oh yes, seasons. . .

Here in mid America we have four seasons.  We have summers that swelter you, winters that frost you, and between these extreme seasons we have springs that renew you and autumns that soothe you.  We are in the thralls of summer--days and nights with humidity that makes you sweat--yes ladies sweat, not glow--and temperatures that scorch you if you let them. 

Before the worst of summer begins we have days with rain and temperatures that nurture yards and gardens.  Days that might get warm and humid, but nights and early mornings that are delightful.  Having four seasons is a good thing--we can always look forward to the next season and can enjoy variety in our climate. 

One of my pet peeves about summer is the humidity--it does a number on my hair, I can say it makes it wild.  Age seems to make me more aware of the changes in the weather--another season.

A time to weep and a time to laugh. . .  As I age there could be a lot of weeping, but there are several changes that I have to chuckle about--hot and cold moments, changes in skin quality, losing focus so easily, wearing glasses all the time instead of just when I read, and decreasing endurance.  Yes, chuckle--these changes are part of the process and I have decided to go with them as best I can.  It is malarkey that we can age gracefully, we just do the best we can and try to keep a sense of humor about it.  After all, what choice do we have.  Some things get better with age--we are wiser, more patient, and get more discounts without even having a coupon!  Yes, aging is fun and we may as well embrace it!

One part of aging that I do not like at all is the change in conversation with family, friends, and acquaintances.  It seems we have moved from verbiage about living a good life to living a life full of aches and pains as well as daily changes.  Wow--how did we go from skipping and doing cartwheels to using rails to navigate steps and propping our foot up before we can tie our shoe?  And what about wearing glasses all the time--what happened to that pinpoint eye sight we had?  Coach once commented that he was not looking forward to going straight to the eye doctor when he turns 40--that's what happened to both of his parents.  We talk about all of our "parts" that are changing and describe them sometimes to our own embarrassment.  Oh yes, aging is not for the weak--it is a journey that should be embraced and talked about with a sense of humor.  A time to weep and a time to laugh. . .

Of course one of the best things about growing old is that we have the opportunity to be grandparents.  For years now I have enjoyed the sweet, precocious, ornery, beautiful, handsome, spirited, perfect grandchildren of my sister and my friends.  But, alas, soon I will have a grand of my own to shower with all of my grandie love.  Yes, in the past two years, our lives have been blessed with a daughter-in-law that we could not love more and this autumn we will welcome a bouncing baby girl--WOW--pinch me now!  Postings will soon have a pink tint!

More of my likes:  white tulips (really I prefer white flowers of all types), blue mason jars, stars, Pottery Barn, and scrapbooking to name just a few more.

May all seasons be sweet to you,
Mary