Tomorrow we celebrate the First Advent. Time to get into a festive mood and to think about how we can spread some Holiday spirit. This year we have to get used to that all is a bit different. So I put together ideas for a special holiday season because truely after what 2020 has thrown at us we can sure use something special.
advent
Recycling advent wreath – with a concrete finish
This year I a believe we all have increased our share of online shopping. I for one am guilty of it. With the shopping comes a lot of packaging material and when I looked at the growing pile I tried to come up with a few ideas to a) decrease the pile and b) what to make with it. That resulted in my annual wreath and I am quite excited to share my recycling advent wreath with a concrete finish. Going for a different look this year.
➢ KEEP ON ReadINGBark Wreath – Natural Advent Wreath 2019
Inspiration can hit you anywhere and at anytime. This years natural advent wreath is inspired by one of my autumn walks across the cemetery. It was a beautiful day, I needed to clear my head, the air was already crisp and the smell of rotten leaves drifted by. While I was listen to one of the many podcasts on my phone I was hit with this view.
I tried to remember if that tree was really a cottonwood. I remembered someone once told me that the cottonwoods are not native to Germany and Germany. And that during/after WWII US pilots dropped many seeds over Berlin to re-grow vegetation that was cut down by the population during the years of war for firewood. I was also wondering why it shed its bark. And if it is a re-grown material… how much supplies will you get. Only an idea…
Well and here we go. The squirrel in me started picking up scraps of bark and putting them in my shopping bag. I had just decided no groceries today. On top I added some hazelnuts and walked home. There I let the bag sit near a heater until advent season was just around the corner..
My initial idea was to wrap a wreath form in bark by bending it. This didn’t really work as the bark was too porous. It kept on breaking and splitting. I briefly considered wetting it as wood usually is more agreeable to be worked with but decided against it. I actually quite liked the scale-kinda-look.
Ok, let’s get started by gathering materials:
- dried bark of a cottonwood tree
- wreath form
- glue gun and enough glue
- candles
- decoration
The tutorial is rather easy.
- Break bake in smaller pieces.
- Make sure there are not dirty or wet areas.
- Glue on wreath form, The outer bark will be put on form so you will see the inside of the bark.
- Once done place the candles. I decided to go with all candles close together.
- Add decoration to your liking. I went with a brown golden color theme and really liked it.
That’s all you actually have to do. The most intriguing part of this natural advent wrath is the material. Most people I asked would not figure out what it was.
What is your favorite material to make an advent wreath? As you probably know I always try to figure out some new ways and rarely use fir-branches. Leave a comment and tell me about yours. It’s never to early to plan for next year.
Happy wreath crafting
Tobia
Advent Wreath Inspiration
Who else is busy thinking about this years advent wreath? I usually ponder I ideas already when most people enjoy their summer vacay at the pool. I have to be honest, this year my picture is not that clear. When I don’t know what direction to go I usually just look at my Pinterest board. Usually the first thing that I know is the color scheme of the new wreath. This might happen when I see certain candles or just some decoration that speaks to me. My moms wreath this year will be gold/brown/nude.
Following I want to share some advent wreath inspiration.
This pine needle advent wreath (tutorial) probably took the longest from all the ones I did. I love the look of it.
A minimalistic version is the French Knitted Wreath (tutorial).
A nature inspired one with the Walnut Advent Wreath (tutorial).
This wreath was created of an old favorite sweater.
A wreath made of Muffin Liners. Took a lot of glue but its hanging in my apartment for many years.
Here is an idea on how to create a moss wreath.
One of my Favourites is this Snowball Wreath (tutorial). Just never leave it burning unattended.
Door wreath made of Pine Needles.
What’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
Happy inspiration,
Tobia
Scented Wall Hanging { RECYCLE QUICK TIP #11 }
My favorite season is slowly but steadily coming closer and today I want to share a quick and easy tutorial with you. It’s a Scented Wall Hanging made of orange peel. Because now is the time to eat lots of vitamins and so we’ve got peels to recycle. And it is a good way to slowly start decoration for Advent without overdoing it.
All you need for this craft idea is some oranges or mandarines, a cookie cutter of your preference and some yarn.
Instructions are just that easy:
- Eat your oranges and saves the peel.
- Get out your cookie cutter and cut away.
- Thread them together. I did pairs of three. Then I strung them on a wooden piece.
Well and that is about it. Easy and fun little crafting for in-between on a rainy afternoon.
If you like crafts with recycled materials my little eerie “Recycling Quick Tip” might be fun to check out. And if you have any fun and easy craft ideas let me know in the comments please.
Happy recycling,