5 Mintute Spring Wreath [DIY Tutorial]

May 2, 2013 by Picklee: Jordan

I was whirling around my house last weekend trying to tackle some much needed Spring cleaning when I opened up my (rarely used) front door only to find I STILL hadn’t taken down my red rosewood Christmas wreath! AHHH! I felt like one of those people that leave their Christmas lights on in July…not a good look…as I pulled down my Christmas wreath, I remembered that I’d bought a garland of “greens” on my last trip to the Hobby Lobby (love that place!). I had an old branch wreath frame laying around too, so I quickly threw together this simple, yet beautiful Spring wreath! When I say quickly, I mean record timing…this entire Spring wreath took me no more than 5 minutes to make!

[5 Minute] DIY Spring Wreath

Gather up:

one medium wreath frame (the twisted branch wreaths are only $1 at the Dollar Tree =) )

one 6′ garland of greens (I purchased mine from the Hobby Lobby, on sale for $7.50)

at least nine round white coffee filters

twist ties

diy-spring-wreath-greens5

First things first, we’ll make the faux hydrangeas for our Spring wreath. Last Spring, we made en entire wreath using coffee filter hydgrangeas. The coffee filter flowers are super easy to make!

First, flatten out three coffee filters, layered on top of each other.

Next, fold them all together in an acordian-like method…

Cinch the middle of the filters with a twist tie…

Starting with the inside pedals, pull up the sides of the coffee filters…

Your flower should now look something like this… I made three of these for my wreath, but you can make as many as you prefer!

Now the your faux flowers are done, set them aside while we move onto adding the greens to the wreath. Simply wrap your garland of greens around the wreath frame. Secure it to the wreath by wedging pieces of the garland between the wreath branches every few inches.

The last step is adding the coffee filter flowers to your wreath! You should have pieces of twist ties stemming from the inside of each flower, simply secure the flowers to the wreath by wrapping the twist ties around the wreath’s branches…

That’s it! Your 5 Minute DIY Spring Wreath is complete!

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The Lavish White “faux” Hydrangea Wreath {DIY}

May 22, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

A new season is upon us, and so is my need for a new front door wreath. As I sat and pondered over what type of wreath to make for the warm weather days ahead, I had two things in mind…I wanted it to look cheery, simple & fresh. Oh, and one of my all time favorite flowers is the hydrangea. Then it came to me, a wreath of nothing but simple, white hydrangeas…and to keep it “up-cycled” I will make it using coffee filters! Coffee filters a great for crafts, especially making different types of paper flowers. The paper flower technique I used in my Lavish White Hydrangea Wreath is definitely one of my favorites, check out the making of this fabulous “faux” hydrangea wreath below.

Making the Lavish White Paper Hydrangea Wreath

Gather up a woven branch wreath (I found mine at the Dollar Store), a stack of coffee filters (you will need at least 60), and approx. 20-30 wire tie wraps (twisty ties)

Stack three coffee filters on top of each other, begin to fold them in an accordion fashion, they will look like this when you are finished folding…

Use the twisty tie to cinch the folded coffee filters in the center. Twist to secure, and be sure to leave enough stack on the end of the twisty tie to secure your flower to the wreath

Pull up the coffee filter on both sides of the twisty tie. These will become the pedals on the flower. Arrange the pedals into the shape of a flower. The finished flower will look something like this…

Continue making the paper hydrangea flowers, you will need approx. 20 of them, depending on the size of your wreath. Attach the flowers to your wreath using the twisty ties you left on them.

Enjoy your lavish new White Paper Hydrangea Wreath!

If you enjoyed this coffee filter wreath project, be sure to check out the Pink Dot Valentines Wreath too!

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Simply Beautiful Floral Arrangements For Beginners {Inspiration}

May 8, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

Okay, so I may not exactly have a green thumb…and chances are that I probably never will. But there’s one thing I know for sure- nothing can brighten my mood more than coming home to the beauty and aroma of a freshly cut flowers, add a plate of Dirty Monkey Cookies to that and now we’re REALLY talking! Now, I’ve come to the realization that ANYONE can put together a beautiful & simple floral arrangement that can be equally as satisfying as one that’s store bought. The possibilities are endless! Here are 18 stunning, yet simple floral arrangements for beginners (or those without a green thumb like myself )

Now for the good stuff…the inspiration!

Oh, the simple joys of freshly cut Lilacs…and combined with a mason jar, amazing.

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers simply because they are so stunning on their own. Freshly cut white hydrangeas gathered in a small glass vase are classically beautiful.

I just love the pink and green contrast between these Bells of Ireland’s and pink Carnations from Everything Fab

Try arranging single stems in tall milk bottles like these from decor8blog

Cherry Blossom stems command attention anytime, anywhere all by themselves. Simply cut and arrange stems in an eceltic vase like these from house to home

This simple hydrangea arrangement makes a bold statment in a classic urn vaseCalalily’s, grass and polished stones make for a beautifully simple and fresh arrangement.

This arrangement of Roses, Tulips, Daisies and Alliums is simple to create, yet makes an incredible impact.

Bright yellow Gladiolius stems paired with lemons (from littlemisspartyplanner) in a tall vase make for simple and lovely summer

Less is more here with this fabulous bubble vase filled with two single green Spider Mums.

Arranging a grouping of flowers in the same color pallet and vases in varying shapes always creates a striking vignette.

I just love this rustic chic arrangement of White Astors and berries in a classic ball jar from Martha Stewart Weddings

Power in numbers is the theme here with this simple Anemone arrangement from Park and Cube.

You simply can’t top the classic beauty of a simple pink Peony arrangement.

Say no more. Rustic glass vases filled with classic White Roses and Hydrangeas from ritzybee.

You just can’t go wrong with classic pink Roses, like these from wedding samples.

Totally loving the pale and bright pink Peonies in this vintage ball vase from style me pretty.

This magnificant cluster of various florals in vintage tea tin cans from Martha Stewart Weddings certainly commands attention!

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Simple St. Patty’s Bells of Ireland Arrangement

March 11, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to liven up my kitchen with something fresh & green of course. This is always a bit tough for me because plants & floral arrangements aren’t exactly my forte; in fact, it’s a miracle when I can keep something alive for more than 2 weeks… So when it comes to arrangements, simple and hearty is my motto! I went to a local greenhouse and decided to purchase some Bells of Ireland, they were so fun and festive! For a pop of color to go with the Bells of Ireland’s, I purchased some sprigs of lavender {lavender is one of my all time favorite scents}. I used a glass oblong vase to display the arrangement in my kitchen, and it looked beautiful! I absolutely love the simplicity of this look. Bonus, these guys have now been alive for 11 days and they still look amazing!

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Winter blues? Plant this…

February 12, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

It’s cold, wet and windy (well at least in New England) and we spend more time indoors now than during any other time of year…sigh…is it spring yet? The best part about spring is the budding flowers and the smell of fresh blooms swirling through the air, instant mood enhancer! Recreate that feeling by planting some low-maintenance Paperwhite Narcissus.

Throw a few bulbs in a glass bowl with some stones and a little water, a few weeks later you’ll have that wonderful scent of spring wafting through your rooms…ahhhh, now that’s better….

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Hand Planted Herb Plants = Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors

February 1, 2012 by Picklee: Jordan

Okay, don’t ask what got me on this topic (since there are currently no wedding plans in my future,yet..) I suppose it’s all the weddings I’ve attended lately, but I am personally frustrated at the amount of money and waste spent on ridiculous wedding favors. Don’t get me wrong, I love my newly married friends, but I just don’t have a use for a miniature album of their first year they met, or a box of chocolates branded “Mr. & Mrs. Barker”, thoughtful, but just not necessary. Wouldn’t it be nice to go green (literally!) and give unique wedding favors that support our environment?

You need not use plastic or glass vases. While giving away eco-friendly wedding favors, you can easily use ceramic or small natural mud pots with different herbs hand planted by you and your new hubby Insert a place card tag with ”nurturing” instructions for the herb plant and a simple “thank you”-perfection. A self sustainable, eco-friendly wedding favor that oozes character and personal touch too!

Just a couple more examples…

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