Thursday, December 12, 2013

LIVING IVY CHRISTMAS WREATH

I promised myself I wouldn't make my life any crazier this holiday season by decorating this house while trying to renovate the other.  However, with company coming this weekend, I felt like I needed to make things just a bit festive so they wouldn't think I was a complete scrooge.  Time to put creativity to the test, using what is at hand.  In this case it was an ivy plant I had in my kitchen.  Looked like a perfect candidate for a Christmas wreath to me. 
This went together so fast and was so easy!  You could make this out of any trailing plant.  You just need a couple of things you probably already have.
Hot Glue Gun
Twig Wreath or any wreath form
Dowel Rod or stick
 
All I did was shove a dowel rod into a twig wreath form and secure it with a generous amount of hot glue.  After it was set, I just broke off the dowel rod to the length I needed and shoved the whole thing in the center of the plant.
At this point I separated the ivy vines and began winding them around the wreath form.  Every now and then I secured it with a few "twist ties" I made from this twiggy looking paper-wrapped wire stuff, which I loved because it blends right in.  (Floral wire would work fine too.)
Add a pretty bow and you have a lovely living wreath that won't dry out and lose needles.
Add a wooden deer with a festive ribbon around his neck for that extra holiday decor cuteness factor.
How easy was that?!  After the holidays, I'll just remove the bow and leave the wreath form in for a pretty ivy topiary.  (I suspect it will make a grand reappearance sometime around Valentines Day.)  Not bad for just using stuff I had.  Zero dollars......perfect for my holiday budget!
I still have one or two more easy holiday decor magic tricks up my sleeve.
  

28 comments:

  1. How in the heck are you finding time to do this?! Get back to work young lady!!! ;)

    This is super sweet!

    xox

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  2. That is brilliant. And you are right I already have most of that. I adore ivy but really love it the way you have it.

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  3. This is such a great idea Danni! I love that you used things you already had. Just fabulous!

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  4. Oh and the deer is just too adorable, Danni ! Knew you would do "something" ;-) Love it !

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  5. Subtle holiday gestures are my favorite kind of holiday decor.

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  6. Brilliant! And I pay ten bucks for those at Trader Joe's.

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  7. Love it, Danni...and your little deer, too!

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  8. That's such a great idea, I love topiary and it's perfect for Christmas, and that's got to be the best wooden deer I've ever seen !

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  9. Deer Danni - what a cute ivy wreath. You did not include what you have been tearing out besides your hair. I still think you are crazy - renovating a house and hosting guests for Christmas from across the pond. Do you think they say "across the pond"?

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  10. Necessity is the mother of invention, and it looks like you proved that with this cute little wreath. Sounds like you have a ton on your plate, so kudos to you for making your abode a little bit cheerier for your soon to be guests.

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  11. That's beautiful Danni, I will do this next year just need to find something to swap out the Ivy. I love your Ivy it's just not allowed here.

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  12. this is adorable! love it!

    styleandchocolates.blogspot.com

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  13. Easy, peasy, fun and sleazy! (Without the sleazy part.)

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  14. I LOVE IT! It makes me wish I had an Ivy. Great job Danni!

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  15. This is gorgeous! I am pinning as I would love to make one for my MIL who has an amazing green thumb!!

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  16. Well it's perfectly festive in it's new configuration. Of course you could add a big red bow to anything for instant Christmas.

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  17. Zero dollars is great for any budget, and it did turn out festive and cute. :)

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  18. Fantastic way to create a little décor for the holidays, and pretty cheap, too! It looks so cute. I don't know how you're handling all the reno work over the holidays, it's busy enough without a huge project.
    Debbie :)

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  19. Great idea, Danni! You could keep this around all year and just change out the "bow" and such. I would have thought you bought the stick wreath, how creative that you made it. Somehow I doubt anyone could ever think you a scrooge, but your planter wreath and red bowed deer are sure to be festive for your guests, nonetheless :)

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  20. This is so sweet! You are a clever lady, Danni :) Although, I tend to kill plants unintentionally so maybe this isn't for me :) I would love to have one though.... Hugs to you!

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  21. You are so very clever! I love it! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  22. What a clever idea. Cute and simple!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  23. I love how you're Little Miss No Nonsense. "shove a dowel rod" Yep, that's our Danni. :)

    -andi

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  24. Great work Danni. Very thoughtful of you to get festive for your company despite so much to do. Love the wreath, really pretty:) Di

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  25. Perfect! Now just leave it in the wreath and you can decorate it for every holiday!

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  26. Danni, I never knew you could make a living wreath like this! Genius! :D

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