We wanted to explore some different styles of wreath and came up with two different contemporary wreaths. Our first wreath style reflects traditional wreaths but we stripped down the materials. We wanted to let the natural, raw elements stand on their own. On our second wreath we wanted to showcase the evergreen branches on its own. In creating the wreaths we used what we could find right here at the base of the Wasatch mountains. There's nothing like fresh trimmed evergreen in your home to add coziness during the Christmas season. Our easy-to-follow instructions will help you to create a unique, one-of-a-kind wreath for yourself to enjoy or as a great gift. Each of these wreaths only take about 20 minutes to make.

"Circle the Holidays" Wreath

Supplies:

• 1 wood embroidery hoop. 14" diameter
• Evergreen branches, approx 10" - 15″ branches
• Red berry clusters *optional for embellishment
• Pine cones *optional for embellishment
• Garden shears
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Leather strip 60"

Steps

Step 1: Look for branches that are 10"-12" long. We found branches that had pinecone clusters, because we liked the additional texture that the pinecones brought to the wreath. To trim evergreen branches all you need to do is cut off the smaller off shoots, so you have several similarly sized cuttings.    Step 2: Trim berries into small sprigs.    Step 3: Use floral wire to attach evergreen branches to the embroidery hoop. Start on one side and make your way to the bottom of the hoop. Step 4: Once you've completed one side of the wreath do the same thing on the on the opposite side of the hoop. You'll meet the branches over the connecting point of the hoop. Be sure to fluff branches over the connection.    Step 4: Use floral wire to attach red berry trimmings in between the evergreen branches.    Step 5: Next you'll take the length of leather strip and fold it in half. Loop the leather over the top of the embroidery hoop and bring through the two ends through. Tie the ends into a knot. Step 5: Hang your Christmas wreath. We attached ours by nailing a small hook to the opposite side of the barn door. You could also use a temporary adhesive hook to secure the wreath.  

"Holiday Smile" wreath

Supplies:

Wire 18" Evergreen branches, approximately 25" - 24″ branches Red berry clusters *optional for embellishment Pine cones *optional for embellishment Garden shears Floral wire Wire cutters Leather strip 60"

Steps

Step 1: Look for branches that are 10"-12" long. We found branches that had pinecone clusters, because we liked the additional texture that the pinecones brought to the wreath. To trim evergreen branches all you need to do is cut off the smaller off shoots, so you have several similarly sized cuttings. Step 2: Taking the 18" wire you'll bend into a "smile" shape. We used a paint can to create a smooth round bend. Then you'll create loops on either end of the "smile"and twist to secure. These loops are where we will attach the leather later on.    Step 2: Using floral wire attach evergreen trimmings to your wire "smile".    Step 3: Next we attached berry sprigs and pinecones with floral wire. We choose to put our accent pieces off to one side to create a more interesting look. You could also put them directly in the middle of the wreath for a more symmetrical wreath.    Step 4: We used leather to hang our wreath but you could use twine, ribbon or anything else you have around your home. With the leather strip you'll tie off one end of the leather onto the loops on the ends of the wire "smile". Cut the length of leather according to the length you'll need to hang your wreath on your door. We cut our's to approximately 40" long. Tie off the leather on both ends of the wire "smile".    Step 5: We used a small nail to hang our wreath but you could also use a temporary adhesive hook.  


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