Pine Needle Wreath – Advent Wreath 2017

November 19, 2017November 25, 2017 - Tobia 10 Comments

Hey there,

Writing my advent wreath posts is the sole reason this blog exists. Yes, pretty sure it is true. This year I want to share a Pine Needle Wreath with you. Not a regular pine wreath but one made of needles.

You may wonder what the difference is? Oh there is one! Mainly time. But lets start from the beginning!

Remember my post about the Pine Needle Star? Ever since than I had the idea in my mind that those needles are meant for more. I knew I wanted to do something with them when they were still green and fresh and looked vibrant. Then I came across this idea on Pinterest. I was thinking about doing that but of course I didn’t get around.

Some things need time. So I thought about it a bit more. And then it hit me – somewhere, sometime. Use the single needles and glue them to a wreath form.

OK, so tutorial this year is pretty simple and all you need is:

♥ wreath form, preferably wrapped green
♥ glue gun
♥ pine needles, I used black pine needles but you could use other that are bit longer
♥ time, lots of time and a bit more time oh and don’t forget patience

1. I started out wrapping my wreath form with a white paper because I lacked fabric.

If I could redo it I would use a dark green fabric. As the wreath will be see through at certain places depending on your viewing angle it really doesn’t look too great. I had to glue in more decorations than I originally intended to due to that.

2. Start glueing pine needles in little batches to the form. Layering them so that you cover the entire wreath form.

The smaller your wreath form the shorter your needles should be. Otherwise the wreath looks rather messy.

3. Once you are done you can seal the needles from loosing color with simple hairspray.

And that is about all you need to do. Unfortunately it does take forever. This advent wreath is by far the most work intense one I have done in the last 15 years. I think I worked a solid 8 hours on it. However I love the look of it and think it was worth all the time. This idea was in my head for so long it just need to be executed.

Now let me know, would you attempt it or is it just too much effort?

Happy advent prepping,

Tobia

linked to MMI | Freutag | Kerstin & ich | Weihnachtszauber

MerkenMerken

MerkenMerkenMerkenMerken

MerkenMerken

MerkenMerkenMerkenMerken

MerkenMerken

Cozy French Knitted Advent Wreath :: Tutorial

November 15, 2016November 27, 2016 - Tobia 20 Comments

It’s this time of the year…

The crazy wreath making time of the year. I was going to show you a different one from what you see right now. The one I planned (for two years), made and then I realized I can’t show you because my mom reads along… So I had to come up with another idea.

Looking around in my chaos that is my craft lab the idea of a cozy advent wreath hit me. Well maybe it was because I am all crazy about my french knitting lately. So why not combine the two and make a nice simple french knitted advent wreath, right?

Let’s make this french knitted advent wreath:

1. You need: a wreath form, glue (gun), wool and a french knitting tool.

2. First you have to make your yearn thread (or as I call them sausage). I used a ball of 50 meter yarn for a xx cm wreath form.

3. Decide your layout. You could wrap it around the form or you could layer it starting in the middle. I decided on the latter.

4. Next one is simple. Glue to the form. You can pull the thread a bit if you need. I did that towards the end because I thought it might not be enough. In the end I was left with a bit extra to make the little bow.

5. Time for decoration and candle attaching. You need four nails, candles and deco material to your liking.

6. I clipped of the nail heads with pliers. Then I heated the nail over a candle flame and drove them into the candle. I learned that the candle will not break as easily if you heat the nail. Due to the wick it is often tough to place it directly in the center. If you manage that would be preferable so that the candle will be straight on your wreath. Otherwise it could be a bit tilted.

Now comes the fun part of decorating your wreath. I already liked the clean look of the braided style of the thread so I just added a few sparkles by glueing little bells onto the wreath. (As you can see I didn’t use the lavender ribbon I originally intended.)

And done.

As this wreath is made of wool and tall candles it’s really nothing I want to leave unattended in a room. So maybe I would add some metal candle holder in a future project.

Now I am curious. Have you made your advent wreath already? What does it look like? Please leave a link if it is on your blog/Instagram. I always love looking at other creations.

Lovely crafting y’all,

Tobia

Need more ideas for wreathes? Check out the 2015 Snow Wreath, 2014 Snowball Star Wreath or the 2013 Walnut Wreath. Still not enough? Here are some collections of inspirations with different themes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Submitted to creadienstag, Handmade on Tuesday, Dienstagsdinge, Herzlich eingeladen, Herzblut, sonntagsglück and Kreativas.

White Snowball Wreath :: This year’s Advent wreath tutorial

November 15, 2015November 17, 2015 - Tobia 4 Comments

Hello There,

so nice of you to join me and have a look at my annual advent wreath making.

For this year I felt all cozy and cuddly and I knew it needed to be something soft. After I cut up my favorite pullover last year it seems to be a trend.

My frequent readers know I am such a sucker for snow. And since it will be a while in my part of the world until we have some – if any at all – I decided on a white snowball wreath this year.

It’s another simple one and probably a great DIY for kids as well. Anyhow I made a tiny tutorial.

It’s actually so simple that it feels weird to write the steps down but here we go.

Gather your supplies: Cotton balls, wreath form and glue.
Glue cotton balls on the bottom outside of the wreath form.
Glue cotton balls on the bottom inside of the wreath form.
Fill the remaining gap with cotton balls. Don’t do it all symmetrical but mix it up.
Enjoy your wreath.

Be careful not leave it unattanded if you are thinking about adding a candle. I only put a big one in the middle but I think I might use it as a door wreath.

What I learned:

Don’t use a glue gun and a foam wreath form.
The hot glue eats it away

Actually use regular glue its fine and it will stick.

I am quite happy with the outcome. Please share if you decide to do your own version of this wreath.

Happy pre-advent DIYing,

Tobia

White Wreath Inspiration :: It’s this time of the year

November 8, 2015October 27, 2017 - Tobia 8 Comments

Good morning!

So we are getting closer to my most favorite season. And as you know I love looking at Advent and Christmas pictures (almost) all year long. And I have gathered another round of wreath inspiration. Today it’s all about color: White! (and please don’t start that “white is not a color thing”.)

Loving white wreath inspiration coming up:

Source Etsy

Source: Julia is blogging on bildschoen and made this wreath. Check out the tutorial.

Source Etsy

Source: Anne of Circus Berry shows her tutorial

Source: Tammy and Annie share a tutorial in their blog Peppermint Plum

Are you looking for more ideas? Might want to check out the candy or pompom ideas. Or maybe rather moss and acorns? There is a tutorial for a walnut wreath.

What is your wreath going to look like?

Please share ideas! And if you still don’t have an idea check out my advent wreath 2015 – White Snowball Wreath.

Have a great Sunday and happy inspiration seeking,

Tobia

MerkenMerken

Starry Night #20 * Snowball Star * DIY Advent Calendar

December 20, 2014November 7, 2015 - Tobia 4 Comments

Now this is crazy. Almost a year ago I wrote about how warm it is and that we don’t have any snow yet.

I could do the same but I’ll skip that part. What I did last year was to invent some indoor snow balls. And I did a lot of those snow balls because we used them in our our winter wedding.

And I still have some left. So I figured repurpose!!!!

Let’s do a Snowball Star!

♥ snowballs → see my tutorial here (cotton pads & glue gun)
♥ glue gun
♥ wire star → see my tutorial here

After you have done your wire star tie some nice satin ribbon to it.

Now get glueing! I tried to put a snowball on ever tip and every corner of the star. It almost worked out nicely. Now it has the charm of a kindergarten DIY.