Embroidery Hoop Winter Wreath...

With all of the Christmas decor packed away, the house looks a little bare, especially my new back door.  I had a pretty Christmas wreath on it and when I took it down, it just looked lonely.
Before I get into the wreath story, I wanted to guide you around my new blog page a little.  At the top of my blog in the upper right hand corner are some icons.  These icons will guide you to follow me on Bloglovin', Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  Over to the right, you will see a photo of me, a box to complete to receive emails when I post, links to 3 different posts (this will change periodically), a link to follow me on Hometalk, more icons to find me on social media, a search box (just type in a word, hit return and it will pull up all posts that contain that word), three of Your Favorite Posts and my Blog Archive. Below each post, before the comment section, are some icons that will let you share a post to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google +.  I hope you will share. :-)  Below that are some related posts and below that is the comment section.  I do hope you will comment as I love chatting with you.  I reply on the blog and via email, if one is provided.

Now, on to the wreath.

As I was saying, my door looked a little lonely.  I looked for a wreath to purchase but couldn't find anything that I liked.  Soooo, I decided to make one.  I did a little bit of research on how to construct a wreath, decided on a style, bought my supplies and let them sit in the trunk of my car for about a week...or more.  I had a little bit of anxiety about making a wreath...that others would see...hanging on my door.  When measured on my KDS, this project didn't pass for me.  BUT, I wasn't returning all those supplies, so I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties and started to work.  Someone had to assemble this wreath as all the elves were back at the North Pole!
The supplies were not complicated...2 embroidery hoops (one large, one small), faux leaf stems, floral wire, hot glue, stain, ribbon, and wire cutters.  Oh, I also used a sponge brush to apply the stain...it would have been a little messy without it. :-)
I let the stain dry overnight, but it was probably dry and ready to assemble after a couple of hours.

After the stain was dry, I used the hot glue and floral wire to attach my hoops to each other.  I wanted to make sure they weren't going to slip once I hung it on the door.
Use lots of hot glue and floral wire...don't be stingy with it!  You want those hoops very secure.

After you have the hoops secured, cut your leaves off the stems with the wire cutters...
...and place them around the wreath using your hot glue to secure them.  Again, do not be stingy with that glue...you don't want to come in one day and see leaves all over the floor...it will look like a tree started molting in your house! Once you are satisfied with the placement and fullness of your leaves...
...make your bow.
When making bows, I always use wired and double sided ribbon...I want the pattern on both sides so that I don't have to keep pinching and turning to get the pattern on the right side of the bow.  Your bow can be whatever size you want it to be.  I like full bows.  I usually make 6-8 loops.
Wire the ribbon to the hoops.  If you want the wreath to look more full, add  more of the leaves at the top and on the sides.  I ended up adding a few more and inserted those little white berry stems.
There is no right or wrong...just whatever you prefer.  I wanted something neutral so I chose leaves.
For spring, I can add flowers and for summer, I can change the bow to something summery.  I wanted to leave my options open.

You know, I have no idea why I was intimidated over making this wreath.
It was super easy...I need to step out of my box more!  Additionally, I was really glad I didn't melt any fingernails with the hot glue gun! ;-)


34 comments

  1. Love it!! The double hoop and the ribbon make it just perfect. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Stacey! The less difficult projects seem to work best for me! 😊 Love and hugs!

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  2. Benita, the new blog page is great! We all need a "refresh" now and then. How clever you are to use embroidery hoops for your wreath. That striped ribbon was made for your Winter Wreath. So pretty! Hugs my friend

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    1. Thank you so much Kari! I changed it over a while back but realized I never told everyone how things were changed around...better late than never! :-) Thank you! There are so many cute wreaths made from embroidery hoops...may end up being my new go to for wreaths rather than buying new wreaths for the seasons. Thank you again! Love and hugs!

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  3. Love the two embroidery hoops together. The simple greens and ribbon are so pretty for a winter wreath.
    You go girl without the glue gun!!!!
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much Kris! I wanted something simple and uncomplicated for the door…the greenery was perfect and I lucked across the coordinating ribbon at Walmart. The glue gun was a bit of a danger (as we’ve previously discussed), but I made sure I kept my fingers clear…LOL Love and hugs! Hope you are having a great Monday so far!

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    1. Thank you so much Rita! I will no longer let the embroidery hoop intimidate me...LOL! Have a great one! Love and hugs!

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  5. Super cute wreath, Benita! I love how you used the simplicity of the embroidery hoops against the leaves ~ very nice. Almost Amish in its look, which I love. <3 Happily pinned and sharing to my FB page today. <3

    Hugs to you,
    Barb :)

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    1. Thank you so much Barbara! I have found so many cute wreaths using embroidery hoops…some more complicated than others, but I’m willing to give them a try to get the wreaths I want rather than having to settle for something that is so/so from the store! Thank you so much, I appreciate it! Have a great one! Hugs!

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  6. Hi Benita, I'm new to your blog. Love the wreath and your humour ☺

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    1. Thank you so much Nicky! And thank you for visiting! I will you will visit again! Have a great one! Hugs!

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  7. It's adorable! I've never used stain before. Paint is intimidating enough for me. I don't think I've seen embroidery hoops that are that big. Where did you get them?
    Brenda

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    1. Thank you so much Brenda! To me, stain is much easier to apply than paint but since it is oil-based I have to be much more careful about splashes and runs. I don't like using mineral spirits for clean up. I found them at Hobby Lobby...very inexpensive. Love and hugs!

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  8. I love the simple and neutral look on your black door. The two hoops together is unique and looks great!

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    1. Thank you so much AnnMarie! I've seen so many cute wreaths on Pinterest that use the embroidery hoops...it may be my go to from now on! Love and hugs!

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  9. Well look at the darling wreath! I love it! Girl...Imma gonna need you to teach me some crafting skills! LOL! BTW...loving the nail polish too! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you so much Cindy! I’m still learning the art of crafting myself…I’ve seen your cute projects, so maybe we can teach each other a thing or two! 😊 Thank you ma’am…I did gold for the holidays and am now sporting blue for winter….nails and hair match this time! 😊 Love and hugs!

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  10. Benita your wreath is GORGEOUS!!!! I love how simple it is, wow, you are one creative lady!!

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    1. Thank you so much Debbie! I keep my decor pretty simple around here...it is a small house and has nothing ornate or high-end, so I gravitate towards light and easy for this house! Thank you, but I'm still learning. If it weren't for Pinterest, I would be lost! :-) Love and hugs!

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  11. Wow, a great idea. I am going to pin this idea.
    Thank you for sharing,
    Carla

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    1. Thanks so much Carla! You should check out Pinterest for the embroidery hoop wreaths…so many great ones! Love and hugs!

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  12. I love this wreath. So simple yet makes such a statement!! You have inspired me!! Well done

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    1. Thanks so much Patti! I like easy, simple projects...they work best for me! Thank you again! Have a great one! Hugs!!

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  13. Gorgeous!! Usually, wreaths are too fussy and voluminous for my tastes, but this one! Oh my. Simple, elegant, minimally gorgeous!I'm now inspired to go get the goodies for one for my front door. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thank you so much Cheryl! I've stayed away from making wreaths because I thought the same thing...just too much work. I loved how easy this was to make and will probably be making a few more! Thank you again! Have a great one! Hugs!

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  14. Your wreath is adorable. I'm all thumbs when it comes to something like this, so like you I tend to put off projects (and often never do them!) I learned about your blog from POOFING THE PILLOWS on Facebook. I look forward to reading more of your posts.

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    1. Cheri,

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad you stopped by and hope you will return. My craft projects are up and down. I will have one turn out, so I move on to the next one and it really flops…LOL I tread lightly into the craft arena and really pick and choose what I can handle. 😊 Thank you again and have a great day!

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  15. Wow, I love this wreath. Where did you purchase the greenery? I found your post on PIYPj's linky party. I have started a new habit of checking out the post of the blogger who posted in the party right before me and I have found some really great posts. Yours included!!! Happy New Year, Kippi #kippiathome

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    1. Thank you so much Kippi! And thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you will visit again! I found the greenery in the Target Dollar Spot area…when I saw it I knew it would be the perfect sized greenery for my project! I love the dollar spot…always find some cute things there! Have a great day and Happy New Year!!

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  16. Yes, I do agree with you … when the Christmas decorations are taken down and put away the house often looks and feels a little bare.
    I think this wreath is a great idea and I like the colours you've used.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you so much Jan! I tried to keep it neutral so I could change the bows out for the seasons that I don't have specific wreaths, specifically spring and summer! Have a great one! Hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much! I was proud of my little wreath and the fact that no one was harmed in the making of this project! 😊 Love and hugs!

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