Easy-To-Make Dried Flower Festive Wreath

This dried flower festive wreath is a little bit different to traditional Christmas wreaths. The good news is that it is really easy to make and as it is mostly all dried, it lasts the whole holiday season. In this blog post I’m going to list all the flowers I used to make this wreath, plus the few simple rules you need to follow in order to make it successfully.

Read More

DIY Advent Calendar Indoor Wreath

I was recently commissioned by the chocolate company Green & Black’s to create some Instagram Christmas content with their Miniature Bar Collections. I decided to create an indoor wreath which also doubled up as a DIY advent calendar, as this way I was creating something decorative for the home as well as it having a function! This is the end result below, which I was quite happy with as it looked quite pretty and filled the house with the smell of eucalyptus.

Read More

How To DIY A Xmas Wreath Like A Pro

I always make a Xmas wreath every year for my front door, but I'm totally self-taught. I just go with an idea in my head and run with it, which is great, but sometimes it is nice to get an insight into just how the professionals do it. When a really great florist makes a wreath, there is often something unexpected in the mix, and you know it will last right through over Xmas without wilting or drying out!

Read More

DIY Pastel Easter Door Wreath Made From Cheap Plastic Eggs

For my Easter door wreath this year, I wanted to make something really full-on and dramatic.  I feel like i've achieved that with this egg-tastic door wreath! This wreath was really cheap to make, but it wasn't the quickest thing to knock up. If like me you are dedicated to the cause of having the best Easter wreath in town for a few quid, then read on my like-minded friends...

Read More

How To Make An Indoor Honeycomb Pom Pom Wreath

It was an absolute honour to recently be asked to write a guest post for the lovely ladies at Mia Fleur. If you have not heard of Mia Fleur, they are an incredible family run business who sell the most beautiful and interesting homeware products! Chances are if you've seen something totally original and quirky for the home, it's come from Mia Fleur.

Read More

My Home At Christmas (+ How To Make This Fireplace Garland)


I've gone all out this year with a real flower fire surround garland!

I've gone all out this year with a real flower fire surround garland!

Welcome to my house at Christmas! If you are joining me as part of the UK Blog Hop from We Love Home, an extra thank you for joining me here! I'm so chuffed to be part of the first ever UK Home Blog Hop, courtesy of the lovely Kimberly of the ultra-fabulous Swoonworthy. In my Hop, you'll find some crafty Christmas DIYs and tips on having a handmade Xmas. So come on in, help yourself to a mince pie and let me show you around.....

Even though I'm a fan of more contemporary decor the rest of the year, at Xmas I prefer a traditional look (reds, golds, greens, fir cones and berries). However, I like to go BIG! BIG tree, BIG flower displays, LOADS of table decor.

Earlier this year at a Red magazine event I attended, florists had decorated the mantels over fireplaces in the room with these huge pink summer flower garland displays. It was really effective, so there and then I decided I was going to do a festive version in my home this year for Xmas. A few oasis blocks and a few bunches of flowers later, here it is in my living room. It's perfect as a striking decoration if you are throwing a party over the festive season - and at a total of £32 to make (£24 on flowers, £8 on oasis) it looks a lot more expensive than it is! To learn how to make this garland yourself, scroll down to the guide at the bottom of this post...

IMG_3039.JPG

Putting together the table decor is one of my favourite parts of Christmas. I make flower arrangements a couple of days before (usually with foliage I've cut locally, like holly and rosemary), then go to town with candles and red and gold table wear. A few years ago I made these gold leaf pear place name holders after seeing the idea on a Kirstie Allsopp Christmas craft program. They went down pretty well at a dinner party that year, so this year I've made them again:

This fruit bowl is the LOTTA glass and ash base bowl from LSA International.

This fruit bowl is the LOTTA glass and ash base bowl from LSA International.

For tree decorations, I'm all about glass and birds! I bloody love a faux-bird on my Xmas tree. Joining the pheasants, robins and peacocks this year will be a 2016 interiors classic - a flamingo! (A purchase I made in October when I stumbled across him in John Lewis.)

I brought this peacock decoration in Liberty. I pimped him up for the top of the tree by sticking on real peacock feathers from Hobbycraft on the back.

I brought this peacock decoration in Liberty. I pimped him up for the top of the tree by sticking on real peacock feathers from Hobbycraft on the back.

I also love real glass decorations which I make by filling with feathers, pom poms and glitter. You can find out how to make these yourself here.

These glass and feather tree decorations are easy and cheap to make.

These glass and feather tree decorations are easy and cheap to make.

IMG_3261.JPG
I always make my door wreath for Xmas. Learn how to make this wreath here.

I always make my door wreath for Xmas. Learn how to make this wreath here.

Once boxing day has passed and we move towards New Years Eve, I move away from traditional Xmas decorations to something more fun and colourful. Having a child and getting old means I hardly go out NYE anymore (no-one wants to babysit NYE, and I now baulk at the extra charges for a drink/cab), so NYE is usually spent at home with friends. I'll therefore change up my decor to something like this fun pom pom indoor wreath!

These super pretty bird and butterfly decorations are from Pom Pom & Twiddle

These super pretty bird and butterfly decorations are from Pom Pom & Twiddle

I handmade this Pom Pom garland for a guest post on the Mia Fleur blog which is coming soon!

For my top present wrapping tips click here.

For my top present wrapping tips click here.

HOW TO MAKE THE REAL FLOWER FIREPLACE GARLAND

You will need:

  • Oasis blocks and an accompanying tray. I measured the length of my fire surround and discovered that I would need 5 blocks of oasis to make a garland the required length. You can buy oasis blocks in craft stores for around £3 for a pack of four. Alternatively, a local florist will sell you single oasis blocks. You will also need an oasis tray to keep topping up your oasis with water if you are going to have your garland up for a good while. These trays cost 80p each from my local craft store.

  • A selection of flowers and foliage to make up your garland. For my garland, I brought two large bunches of eucalyptus, 20 red roses, 4 stems of cotton flower and one large bunch of thistle. I brought my flowers from Columbia Road Flower Market and it cost me a total of £24 for everything! Flower markets are great for getting a large choice of cut flowers. Go later on in the day and you'll also get yourself a bargain as they slash prices to clear stock.

  • Some garden secateurs, a plastic bag and some protective gloves to go foraging with! To bulk up the display, cut greenery from hedgerows and evergreen plants. There are loads of holly berries around this year as well as snow berries. Take a few cuttings where you can!

Start by filling a bucket/the sink/bath with water and submerging your oasis blocks in it for about 15-20 minutes so they suck up loads of water. Remove them into the oasis trays and put them in a line across your fire surround. 

Start with your eucalyptus/chosen foliage and stick it in the oasis blocks, concentrating on creating height. Stick your tall eucalyptus sticks towards the back of the oasis blocks, saving the front for your floral display.

Place some shorter, single eucalyptus sprigs at the bottom of the front of the blocks so it creates a trailing effect over your fireplace.

Start to add in your other flowers at the front, larger flowers first, leaving smaller flowers like roses and berries until last. Position them evenly across the garland.

Once your brought flowers are all used up, use your foraged greenery to fill in any gaps. The aim is to not see the oasis blocks or have any gaping holes in the garland.

My garland took about 30 minutes to put together and was easier than I had anticipated. My top tip is just to shove it all in! If it looks bad in places move some stuff about, cut away anything that looks too long, have fun with it!

So that's all from me, and Bowser my King Charles Cavalier (doesn't he look so happy being made to wear a doggie Santa hat for this post??) Thank you for taking the time to look round my home at Christmas - we've loved having you!

You can find all my Xmas DIYs here if you want to get crafty at Christmas this year. Otherwise, hop on over to Fresh Design Blog tomorrow from 11 am to continue the Hop! A full list of other bloggers’ houses from the week can be found below - just click on the links! There have been some great posts this week full of crimbo inspiration, so enjoy! And Merry Christmas!

Make Your Own Traditional Christmas Door Wreath


Make Your Own Traditional Christmas Door Wreath

The Christmas wreath, for me,  is an integral part  of Xmas decor.  I  take  huge pride  in  my   Christmas wreath,  as  everyone sees  it when they  pass  your  home.  It's also the  first  thing  guests  see  when   they  arrive  for  celebrations!  The  thing  is,  a  pretty  Xmas  wreath  can  often  cost  more  than  buying  the  Xmas  tree!  Go  to  a  florist  and   you'll  be  looking  at  £100+  for  anything  detailed.  Even  local  flower  markets  charge  a  good  £30-£40  for  a   basic  'real'  wreath  base  with no  frills.  Yet with a  bit  of prep,  a  bit  of  foraging and  a  glue gun,  you  can create  a  really professional-looking,  real  Xmas wreath for  less than  £20.  

Every  year  I  make  the  Xmas  wreath  for  our  house and  I  find  it  really  enjoyable.  I  whack  on  the Xmas   music,  pour  myself  a  (large)  sherry  and  it  gets  me  in  the  mood  for  Xmas  like  nothing  else!

PART 1: ITS ALL ABOUT THE PREP

DRY  OUT  SOME  SLICES  OF  ORANGE

You  can  buy  dried  orange  slices  in  craft  stores,  but  they  are  so  easy  to  make.  After  you've  turned  the   oven  off  one  night  after  cooking,  slice  up  an  orange  thickly  and  lay  the  slices  on  some  baking  paper  in   the  hot  (but  turned  off)  oven  and  leave  them  overnight.  In  the  morning  take  the  slices  out  of  the  cold   oven  and  leave  them  on  the  side  for  24  hours.  What  you  will  have  at  the  end  are  hardened  orange  slices.

Slice oranges about 1cm thick.

Slice oranges about 1cm thick.

DRY  OUT  SOME  HYDRANGEA  HEADS

If  you  had  a  hydrangea  plant  in  your  garden  over  summer,  go  outside  and  cut  off  the  now   red/green/brownish  heads  and  hang  them  over  your  cooker (or  on  a  bright,  dry  window  sill)  for  a  few   days.  The  heads  will  dry  out , but  won't  crumble  and  shouldn't  lose  their  colour.  

Leave cut hydrangea heads to dry out for a few days on a window sill.

Leave cut hydrangea heads to dry out for a few days on a window sill.

BUY  SOME  CINNAMON  STICKS  FROM  THE  SUPERMARKET

You'll  find  these  in  the  aisle  with  the  herbs.  Group  them  together  in  bunches  of  3  and  tie  them  with   some  decorative  ribbon  or  twine.

Group cinnamon sticks in bunches of three.

Group cinnamon sticks in bunches of three.

GO  FORAGING  FOR  PINE  CONES,  STRONG  FOLIAGE  &  BERRIES

The  base  of  your  wreath  will  be  made  up  of  foliage  to  bulk  it  out.  The  trick  here  is  to  get  really  strong   foliage  that  won't  wilt  after  a  week.  A  real  Xmas  door  wreath  should  last  about  3 to 4  weeks,  so  you  need   foliage  that  will  stand  the  test  of  time.  I  can't  say  I'm  an  expert  when  it  comes  to  foliage  names,  but  look   around  and  see  what  foliage  has  thick  and  strong  leaves- nothing  that  'flops'  when  you  pick  and  hold  it   up  basically.  Ivy,  bay  leaves  and  holly  leaves  are  all  good.  Hedgerow  is  best  as  it's  strong  and  evergreen.

Pick strong foliage with woody bases that won't wilt for a few weeks.

Pick strong foliage with woody bases that won't wilt for a few weeks.

Go  for  a  Sunday  walk  with  a  carrier  bag  and  a  pair  of  hand  shears  and  collect  your  greens.  While  on  your   stroll  pick  up  fir  cones  and  collect  sprigs  of  berries  for  decoration  on  the  wreath.

POP  INTO  A  CRAFT  STORE  AND  BUY  A  12"  POLYSTYRENE  WREATH  BASE,  A  HOT  GLUE  GUN,   SOME  XMAS  RIBBON  AND  RED  PRE-­‐MADE  BOWS  &  TWINE

You'll  need  a  wreath  base,  a  hot  glue  gun  and  some  decorative  elements  to  complete  your  wreath.  I   prefer  the  polystyrene  bases  to  the  wicker  or  twig  ones  as  they  have  a  larger  surface  area  for you  to   create  a  fatter  wreath.  A  polystyrene  base  should  only  cost  about  £2-­3.    

Add some twine to the top of your wreath before you start to attach the wreath to your door.

Add some twine to the top of your wreath before you start to attach the wreath to your door.

You  will  also  need  a  hot  glue  gun  to  securely  attach  all  your  wreath  elements  to  the  base.  I  use  a  mini hot-glue  gun that  you  can  buy  for  around  a  fiver. 

Pick  a  couple  of  decorative  elements  like  bows  and Xmas  ribbon.  I  find  the  red Xmas  velvet  bows  are   particularly  attractive  on  the  wreath.

PUTTING YOUR WREATH TOGETHER:

Firstly,  loop  some  twine  around  your  polystyrene  base  and  leave  enough  twine  at  the  top  for  your   wreath  to  be  securely  attached  to  your  door.

Glue down the base of the foliage stalk to attach to your polystyrene base.

Glue down the base of the foliage stalk to attach to your polystyrene base.

Use  your  foliage  to  completely  cover  all  the  white  of  the  polystyrene  base.  Make  sure  your  foliage  all   flows  in  a  clockwise  manner  so  it  looks  tidy  and  professional.  Distribute  the  foliage  evenly  and  secure  it   to  the  base  with  the  glue  gun.  

Build up your wreath. Make sure the foliage is attached in a clockwise pattern.

Build up your wreath. Make sure the foliage is attached in a clockwise pattern.

Take  your  dried  hydrangea  heads  and  distribute  them  evenly  on  the  wreath,  facing  forwards.  Secure   with  the  glue  gun.

This now just needs decorative elements!

This now just needs decorative elements!

Along with your dehydrated orange slices and cinnamon sticks, use fir cones and red velvet bows.

Along with your dehydrated orange slices and cinnamon sticks, use fir cones and red velvet bows.

Add  your  cinnamon  bundles,  dried  orange  slices,  fir  cones,  bows  and  berries  onto  the  wreath,  spreading   them  out  so  the  same  one  isn't  too  close  to  the  other,  and  there  is  a  level  of  symmetry. 

Once  you  have  glued  everything  on,  gently  hold  up  the  wreath  and  check  everything  is  glued  on   properly.  Hold  up  the  wreath  by  the  twine  and  check  it  from  every  angle - are  there  any  spaces  that   need  filling?  Is  there  any  of  the  white  base  showing?  Fix  any  problem  areas  then  leave  your  wreath  a   couple  of  hours  to  completely  dry.

Hang  your  wreath  on  your  front  door  and  enjoy  the  festive  appeal  it  brings  to  your  home!  Here  is  my   wreath  on  my  front  door  in  all  It's  glory.  It  is  so  much  more  enjoyable  knowing  you  made  it  yourself  and   it  cost  a  fraction  of  a  pre-­made  wreath  by  someone  else. 

What would you add on your Xmas wreath? Let me know in the comments section below!

Craft A Cheap & Easy Sunburst-Style Door Wreath For Autumn

I'm sure i've probably mentioned this before, but I'm a sucker for a door wreath. They are such a brilliant decoration to celebrate an occasion/season, and they really add serious kerb appeal to your home. Everyone loves to walk past and look at a home with a beautiful door wreath don't they? Autumn provides the easiest and the cheapest opportunity for a door wreath, as you can pick the supplies up scattered all around outside in the street! Conkers, acorns, dried leaves in a multitude of reds, yellows and browns are all great to use on a home-made Autumn wreath, so it's a great craft to do with kids as you can get them to run around sourcing all the bits!

Read More

Easter Weekend Special: How to DIY An Easter Wreath

My front door is very visible from my street, so on holidays and occasions I like to DIY a wreath to hang out the front. It gives the house a lot more kerb appeal and they are always fun to make. Of course, you can buy seasonal wreaths in the shops, but they start from around £18 upwards for something 'decent', when you can purchase all the basic materials to put together an Easter wreath from haberdashery and craft shops for under a fiver...

 

Read More