Snowy Owl Holiday Wreath

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• sharp scissors or pruners to cut branches

• wire cutters

• light gage florist's wire

• 3 eye screws 3/4" in length

• two types of faux snowy branches

• 3 snowy owls (mine came from Loblaw grocery store and were about $6 each)

• snowflake ribbon with wired edge (craft store)

• small blue & silver jingle bells

• 3 large silver jingle bells

• floral pics

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't a hanger already). 

I also removed the original bow and pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

Step 1: I used two different faux snowy branches: one pine and one glittery twigs (seen at the top). Take each set of branches and cut the stems into several smaller sections. (I made mine 6-10" in length. If you cut them much shorter, they will be too short to work with.)

Step 2: Working in a circle, insert the first type of snowy branches into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. (Tip: Inserting the branches at a low angle helps them to catch best in the evergreens.) 

Loop a length of florists wire through the wreath to hold each branch in position. Twist the wire at the back of the wreath to keep your branch secure.

Step 3: Again, working in a circle, insert the second type of snowy branches and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens.

Loop a length of florists wire through the wreath to hold each branch in position. Twist the wire at the back of the wreath to keep your branch secure.

Hang the wreath to make sure the branches are evenly dispersed and you are happy with them before you move further.

Step 4: Make a bow. I chose a blue and silver snowflake ribbon that I felt worked with my theme.

Turn the bow over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot.

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist them into a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. 

Trim away any excess wire with your wire cutters. 

Step 5: (Depending on what you are able to find, you'll have to adapt your method for attaching the owls. The owls I found had a foam backing.)

Turn your owl over. Insert an eye screw into the foam and thread a piece of florist's wire through the eye. Twist the wire with a circular movement to knot it to the eye. (Note: I started with the small eye screw you see here, but found it did not hold well enough. In the end, I went with a much larger screw that was 3/4" long. I thought the method was clear enough, so I didn't reshoot the picture.)

Place all the owls on the top of your wreath to determine placement. Remove two of the owls once you know approximately where you want them to sit on the wreath. 

Now attach the first owl. Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the reverse side to fix the owl in place.

Add back the other two owls, one at a time.

Step 6: Wire smaller blue and silver jingle bells onto flower pics (you can find floral pics at the craft store) and insert the pics into the wreath.

I also used a length of wire to attach a number of larger silver bells directly.

You're done! Just hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!

Teddy Bears & Toys Holiday Wreath

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• berry clusters 

• wire cutters

• light gage florists wire

• wooden holiday ornaments

• glue gun and glue sticks

• teddy bear ornaments (mine came from Sears and were about $6 each)

• red gingham ribbon with wired edge (craft store)

• floral pics (craft store)

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't a hanger already). 

I also removed the original bow and pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

Step 1: I was able to find ready-to-go berry clusters wrapped in floral tape. If you can't find something similar, cut a larger branch with faux berries into smaller pieces (about 6-8 inches long). 

Working in a circle, insert the berry clusters into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. 

Step 2: Make a bow. Turn it over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot.

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. 

Trim away any excess wire with your wire cutters. 

Step 3: Remove the teddy bear ornament rope hangers, if there are any. Turn your teddies over. Insert a safety pin into each bear and fasten it (Note: I used a giant safety pin so it would be easier to see in this demonstration. You can use a much smaller one.) 

Attach a length of wire to each safety pin.

Place all the teddies on the top of your wreath to help you to determine placement. Remove all but one, once you know approximately where you want them to sit. 

Now attach the the first bear. Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the teddy bear in place.

Add back the other teddies, one at a time.

Step 4: I used small wooden ornaments to make my "toys".

Remove the hanger from the ornament. Place a generous glob of glue at the base of the wooden ornament and insert a floral pic into the glue. Hold the floral pic in place for a minute to let the glue set.

Place your toys on the wreath in between the teddies and the berries.

You're done! There is nothing left to do now, but hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!

Butterfly Holiday Wreath

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• faux red berry branches

• wire cutters

• light gage florists wire

• assorted colored butterflies

• red ribbon with white stitches along the edge

• floral pics

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't a hanger already). 

I also removed the original bow and the pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

Step 1: I started with one large bunch of faux berries and cut the stems into 2 smaller branches. (I made my smaller branches about 10" in length)

Leave a spot at the bottom of the wreath for your bow. Working up either side of the circle, insert the berry branches into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. Tie each branch in with a length of florist's wire.

Step 2: Make a bow. Turn it over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot.

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. 

Trim away any excess wire with your wire cutters. 

Step 4: The butterflies I purchased where already wired. You could use them as is, but I decided to make mine more sturdy by wiring them onto a floral pic.

Working your way around the circular wreath, insert the butterfly pics every couple of inches. Vary the angle of insertion and alternate the color of the butterflies as you work your way around the wreath.

And you're done! There is nothing left to do now, but hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!

Holiday Bell Wreath

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't one already). 

I also removed the original bow and the pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• glittery eucalyptus branches

• dried magnolia branches 

• wire cutters

• light gage florists wire

• several snowy pinecones

• set of three holiday bells (I found mine at Michaels craft store)

• plaid ribbon with wired edge (craft store)

• 3-5 large red jingle bells

Step 1: I started with one large branch of glittery eucalyptus and cut the stems into several smaller branches. (I made mine 6-10" in length)

Working up either side of the circle, insert the eucalyptus into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. Create a loop of florists wire to tie each branch into the wreath.

Step 2: Cut a length of wire. Loop it around the knot holding the bells together. Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bells in place. 

(Note: The set of three bells that I purchased came with a hanger, but the rough twine holding the bells to the hanger were too long for my purposes. I cut the bells off the original hanger and reattached them together on a shorter lengths of rope.)

Step 3: Make a plaid bow. Turn it over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot. 

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. Trim away any excess wire with your wire cutters. 

Step 4: Cut your Magnolia branches into 8"- 10" lengths. Insert them into the wreath on either side of the bow and allow them to catch in the tangle of evergreen bows. Add a loop of florist's wire to tie them firmly into the wreath.

Step 5: Add a few snowy pinecones in among the evergreen branches. To make the pinecones, take some white craft paint and dry brushed "snow" onto the pinecones. Allow the paint to dry. 

Cut a length of light gage florist's wire (approx. 10-12"). Wrap the florist wire around the base of your pinecone and twist a knot to close the wire around the pinecone's base. Use the wire ends to attach the pinecones to the wreath.

Step 6: Wire some large red jungle bells in amongst the branches.

You're done! Just hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!

Antique Rose Holiday Wreath

To make this wreath you need:

• basic store-bought evergreen wreath

• branches of dried magnolia, cedar, sprigs of boxwood and a few glittery branches

• faux antique roses 

• faux spray of mini roses

• light gage florists wire

• ribbon for your bow

• red berry clusters

Before you start, turn your wreath over and create a wreath hanger with a loop of florist's wire (if there isn't a hanger already). 

I also removed the original bow and the pinecones from my store-bought evergreen wreath.

Step 1: Of all the wreaths I made this wreath had the greatest mix of branches. 

I used fresh cedar, glittery branches, dried magnolia and some boxwood that I snipped from the garden. I made each branch about 6-10" in length (most of my branches were a little longer than those shown here).

Working from the base and moving up each side of the circle, insert the branches into your wreath and allow them to catch in the mix of evergreens. You'll notice that a left a bit of a gap at the bottom for my bow.

Create a loop of florists wire to tie each branch into the wreath. This is a little fussy and time consuming, but it will make your wreath hold together better.

Step 2: Make a bow. Turn it over and run a length of florist's wire through the bow's centre knot.

Poke the ends of the wire through the wreath and twist a knot on the wreath's reverse side to fix the bow in place. 

Step 3: Working your way around the wreath, insert the larger antique roses. Create a loop of florists wire to tie each branch into the wreath.

Step 4: Now insert the smaller clusters of white roses in between the larger roses. Again, create a loop of florists wire to tie each branch into the wreath.

Step 5: Insert a few red berry clusters in amongst the roses. (Note: I was able to find ready-to-go berry clusters wrapped in floral tape. If you can't find something similar, cut a larger branch of faux berries into smaller pieces that are about 6-8 inches long). 

You're wreath is done! There is nothing left to do now, but hang up your wreath and enjoy it.

Happy holidays!