Wednesday, November 27, 2013

10 Wreaths To Make You Want to DE-CO-RAAATE!

I know a couple of people who couldn't even wait 'til Thanksgiving to crack open the Christmas decorations - and, ok, MAAAYBE I'm one of them - so now is the time to start amassing our decorating inspirations, people!!

And since you KNOW I'm here to help - and to enable your glitter addiction - here are my 10 favorite wreaths from Orlando's Festival of Trees. (Yes, wreaths. I'm starting you off small!)

First up:


Loving that one ornament hanging down in the center. Talk about a perfect way to show off your favorite!

Oh, and I'm telling you now, guys, the trendiest trend this year is definitely peacock feathers. I thought they were big last year, but from what I've seen at the Festival and stores around town, this year is going to be drowning in teal, green and purple feathers.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you; I'll be proudly decorating my steampunk tree with plenty o' peacock goodness again this year. :)


 It doesn't show well on film, but this wreath was especially stunning in person:

I love the reds with the feathers and wood tones - so much so that I'm planning on changing our back room tree to a similar color scheme. (SO. EXCITED.) (And if you're new here: yes, I have two Christmas trees each year. DON'T JUDGE. :p)

I bet you can guess why I love this next one:

 ORANGE AND GOLD GOODNESS!!

I'm also a big fan of using large accent pieces like those reindeer. Really gives the wreath a few key focal points. (You see that a lot more with designer trees, too: the bigger, the better.)


Here's a sweet option for bakers:


Again, one big accent piece really makes the whole wreath. You could use a wall plaque, lightweight statue, or even a favorite stuffed animal. Then buy a few coordinating ornaments & ribbon, and you're good to go! (The cookie cutters are a nice themed touch. I've seen baking themes with those pretty copper bundt pans & cutters, too.)


Not a wreath, but glamorous enough that I hope you'll forgive me:


I keep seeing cheap glass vases like this at Ross and HomeGoods - usually around $15. So let's see: fill it with mini ornaments or beads, stick a few big strands of pine garland in the top along with some spriggies and bigger ornaments...? Eh? Play your cards right, and I bet you could make your own for $30 or $40 -  less, if you use stuff you already have.


Ok, back to wreaths:


LOVE that top hat. Together with the plaid ribbons and rustic burlap and berry touches, it's got a fun Dickens vibe to it.

(I'm torn on burlap: I love the rustic look, but I also love glitter. Like, I NEED THE SPARKLIES, you know? Hm. Maybe if I dipped burlap in glitter...)


Check it: MOAR PEACOCK:

Really like the woodsy approach with the grapevine and faux pheasant feathers. Plus it's just so full. Most wreaths I look at and think, "Meh, I could do that." Not this one. It's got a whole tree's worth of stuff on it!


This would make a fun New Year's wreath, assuming anyone actually makes such a thing:

Good for music lovers, too, but mostly I just like the classic black, white, and silver color scheme. Feels really posh and vaguely Art Deco, don't you think? (I was about to say it needs mirror ball ornaments, but then I spotted the one under the bow! So... it just needs more mirror ball ornaments.)


From classic to colorful:


I still love lime green, teal, and fuchsia. They're just so cheerful together. (Any of you playing with that new mesh garland stuff that's all the rage? Because it is awesome. The perfect filler, and easy to mold, too. I want to find some in copper next for the steampunk tree.)

 And finally, a wreath with no greenery at all:


Red, bronze, and gold. YESSS. (This was the other wreath to convince me to change my color scheme this year.) And the little bird perched in the middle is perfection itself. LOVE IT.


And FINALLY finally, if any of you Whovians have an Old Time Pottery near you, go buy this bell:

Stick on some eye stalks, a mini whisk, and a plunger, and you'll have the most festive Dalek EVAH. (I would do it myself, of course, but it costs $25. TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. To which I say: Bah. Humbug.)

I hope you got some ideas here for your own decorating endeavors, guys! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to fluff my tree, IF you know what I mean.

(It got a little smooshed in the garage. What?)

*********


PS - Last call for Betty Martin, one of my art-giveaway winners! Please e-mail me, Betty, to claim your prize!

36 comments:

  1. Is the "fluff my tree, if you know what I mean" line a reference to Colin Mochrie's fluff my Garfield line from "Whose Line Is It Anyways?" I loved that episode! He's my favorite on the show.

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    1. No I don't think so normajean... I think it refers to the way she stores her tree(s). I know she does it to one, but not sure about the other. All wrapped up nice and tight.... so I think she means to unwrap and 'fluff' it.

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    2. Jeanne is right, but any inference of Colin Mochris is A-OK in my book. Love that man. ;)

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  2. To me, the black and white wreath evokes the Night Circus, but that could just be because I'm in the middle of the book right now.

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    1. Yes! All it needs is a single red rose somewhere...

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  3. Preeeeetty!

    I love seeing holiday decorations and lights, but I don't decorate. Too much work to put it all away again a month later. I really admire people who have the energy and ambition to do all that though.

    All the wreaths are gorgeous, but the white, black, and silver one was the most interesting to me. It needs a little more of something, but I would've never even dreamed up anything other than a greenery-based wreath. I guess the red, bronze, and gold one lacks greenery, too, but it's SO bulby.

    Thanks for the photos! Looking forward to seeing the trees next!

    KW

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  4. Oh my goodness gracious...that's MY name!!!
    And I love the blue/green peacock feather wreaths!

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    1. P.S. I have emailed you. Thank you so much!!

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  5. I'm dying over that festive dalek idea. If I can find a bell like that, that is so happening.

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  6. Just wondering, on Christmas, do you use both trees for presents, or only one?

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    1. My family hasn't exchanged gifts for the last few years, so - prepare to laugh - I usually have fake presents under both trees. Most are wrapped boxes that open, though, so when I DO have gifts, I just find a box that fits. ;) (I am seriously addicted to wrapping, so I add more wrapped empty boxes every year. Ha!)

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    2. I can't laugh at that. I have a friend who does that and reads this blog. Ha!

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  7. Copper mesh for a steampunk tree or wreath?buy a cheap copper mesh dish scrubbie.You can stretch it out into a tube!

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    Replies
    1. Srsly? That works?? Ok, I am SO doing this. Thanks!

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  8. On the burlap one, couldn't you dip the berries in glitter instead?

    -Just Andrea

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    Replies
    1. Yes, but that would be far less ridiculous. ;) Also, John JUST brought in your package o' goodies - woot! Thank you! (The Pony necklace was Rarity, so I may have to hunt down more packs 'til I get a Fluttershy for John. :)) Hope you had a great T-day!

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  9. Only TWO trees? :-) I have a friend that has NINE! One for each room (yes, even the bathrooms) AND and an upside down one in the dining room. Upside down is really dramatic... and leaves SO much room underneath! :-) Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone.

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    1. i want to see this upside down tree. any pics?

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    2. I love that people like that exist. Makes me look less extreme AND gives me a goal to shoot for. ;)

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    3. You can search for pics online of upside down trees -- they actually make some now that are made to be upside down - though those are much less fun. Here is a Disney one

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  10. Ooooo.....the red, bronze, and gold wreath - LOVE!!! Love, love, love, love, love!!!!

    ................ (love)

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. I recently saw one like the tall vase piece, except the crafter had put LED Christmas lights inside the vase as well.

    - Awesome Aud

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  12. I bought a cup at Target this year, from their Halloween collection: it had delicate script letters spelling VENEMOUS. There were actually several pieces in the collection with the same problem: they misspelled Venomous.
    I had a few people try to convince me that it is an accepted alternate spelling. Nope. Just because you can google it and find one use 100 years ago does not make it real. It isn't in the OED as even an archaic spelling. Nope. It is just WRONG>

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  13. You need to go to Old Time Pottery right after Christmas and get that 'Dalek' bell at 60% off!

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  14. If you find that mesh in copper, PLEASE let us know where! Copper is my metal and I would love to be able to add it that way to the tree! Plus, I'm sure there's something steampunk-y that I can do with it! :-)

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  15. I'm so glad you said that about the bell, because I saw it and immediately thought it looked like a Dalek :)

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  16. Copper mesh - I wonder if something like the pest mesh would work? (Like what you purchase to keep rats or mice or other vermin out?)

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  17. So, JoAnns carries subtle glitter burlap fabric by the yard. It's basically natural/oatmeal colored burlap with gold or silver threads woven through, so no glitter shed even! Very pretty, but take your coupon-I think it's $10/yd!

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  18. I love that black and white one. I have never even thought of that as a color choice for decorating at christmas. For me I swing between two extreems. I like the Sublet and toned down Silver and white. Or i look like a color bomb exploded (i love the colorful wreath too xD)

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  19. Love the Dalek idea! If my daughter saw that she'd be begging me to run out and buy a bell.

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  20. I don't go in for decorating much, but I want some of the peacock feather ribbon on that first wreath! For decorating me.

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  21. LOL had my father come in to see if he got the bell. Yep we are a Dr Who family LOL. Got it right off the bat.

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  22. Replies
    1. That was hysterical Pamela! Thank you for sharing!!

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  23. My husband said you don't fluff a tree you spruce it (pun intended). His brother says if it is a fir (fur) tree you can fluff it.

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