Re-Thinking the Fall Wreath
At our house, the first thing to signal the change of the season is the changing of the wreath on the front door. I’m not one to change my wreath for just any occasion. I find one I like & stick with it for a while. This green wreath has been faithfully hanging since January & it has served us well for all the spring & summer months, but Fall deserves its own wreath, or in this case, a swag. I’ve done a lot of wreaths in my time, but this was actually my first swag. And I wish I could come up with a better name than, because the word “swag” kinda bugs me. I know I’m weird. Let me know if one of you creative minds has a better word for this.Anyway, on to the tutorial. I started with a hunt for sticks in my backyard. Lola helped me pick out some good ones, then she helped me brush the dirt off of them. It’s so handy having a mini assistant. Except when she gets sidetracked & decides to try out the water hose. No, I didn’t take pictures of that part.So, after cleaning the sticks off, I used some twine to bundle them together, making sure the sticks are tied together tightly and not able to slip out. (I made 2 of these swags, so that’s why you’ll see double in some of the pictures).Next, I decided to lightly spray the bundles with a little metallic spray paint to add just a little glitz. Yes, this is indoor paint, but for this purpose it’s not gonna matter.Then, I made a loop hanger for the back by taking a wire clothes hanger, then cutting & bending & twisting it. I hang my wreaths (or swags) with a ribbon (I’ll explain this later), so I wanted a pretty large loop. I then used some more twine to secure the hanger tightly onto one of the sticks on the back of the swag. If you do this project, here’s where you need to hold up the bundle by the hanger & give it a few good shakes to make sure it’s all holding together well.Next, I took some various grasses & autumn stems I had found at Hobby Lobby & started layering them with the stick bundles. I actually didn’t even need everything I bought, so the project cost even less than I had planned. I love it when that happens!So, I used half a bundle of the “wheat” & spread it out to become the back layer of the swag. Next came my bundle of sticks. Then I used wire cutters to cut the stems off of this grass bush, and used half of the stems to create a mini swag. Do this by connecting them end to end, with 3 stems pointing up & 3 stems pointing down. I secured them by wrapping floral wire several times around. This became the next layer over the sticks. Lastly, I added a stem of orange something-or-other to add a little color. Then, I just used some more twine to tie it all together tightly. The last step was to add a bow in this great zebra ribbon, also from Hobby Lobby. To hang them up, I took a ribbon, threaded it through the hanger on the back & then used a staple gun to staple it into the top of the door. (Obviously, this only works for wood doors.)Here’s a little view of the back from inside the house:And, now, here they hang on the front doors. Welcome, Fall!Sharing this with some of these parties. Check them out!
Jessi
September 10, 2010 @ 12:35 am
I love these! I like the vertical height and think they look fabulous on your doors. Nice job!
Terri @ em-belle-ish.blogspot.com
September 10, 2010 @ 12:40 am
I agree that the swags hung vertically are very unique. Love it!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
September 10, 2010 @ 12:53 am
oh i love that idea! i have a screen door that doesn't allow for big wreaths, so that would be great to make!
mle
September 10, 2010 @ 1:06 am
What awesome swags!! LOVE the zebra print ribbon!
Sharon
September 10, 2010 @ 1:07 am
Very good job!! love them!
kathie
September 10, 2010 @ 1:13 am
They are so fun! Love them!
Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top
September 10, 2010 @ 1:55 am
These are really pretty. A nice change from a wreath.
Kristi
September 10, 2010 @ 2:20 am
I absolutely LOVE the way they look! Perfect on your beautiful doors! Another question for you, can you tell me the technique of the mortar on your brick? LOVE IT 🙂
Kristi
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door
September 10, 2010 @ 2:53 am
I love this idea! What a clever alternative to the traditional wreath! These are beautiful!
Michael and Roslyn FIsh
September 10, 2010 @ 2:56 am
That is so cute! I love this idea. I have been looking for a fall wreath idea. It reminds me of stalks of corn. Very fall like.
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row
September 10, 2010 @ 4:24 am
Your porch is gorgeous – love what you did instead of wreaths!
Jeanine Byers Hoag
September 10, 2010 @ 5:35 am
I love your fall swags!! Just dropping by from the fall nesting party. I am still deciding what to do with my front door…
Amy
September 10, 2010 @ 11:12 am
Great job…those are fabulous!
Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training
September 10, 2010 @ 1:45 pm
Love it and I love the ribbon you used even more! :o)
Kendra aka “Domestic Princess in Training”
Hannah
September 10, 2010 @ 2:17 pm
these are lovely! I've been looking for an inexpensive idea for fall front door decor. thanks for the inspiration! (saw you on the shabby nest!)
M.O.T.B
September 10, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
These are incredible! I love them. Your front doors are gorgeous!
Creative Decor by Brooke
September 10, 2010 @ 3:10 pm
Love these. On your two doors they are perfect.
Brooke
Timeless and Treasured, Photography by Heather
September 10, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
lOVE THIS!!!
Heather
September 10, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
Looks beautiful! I love me a good swag as opposed to a wreath, you did a great job!
Natasha Vaughn, Designer
September 10, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
I LOVE this. I wish I had double doors to hang these on.
Atticmag
September 10, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
Very pretty for fall. Love the "harvest" mood those evoke.
We have the sweetest Roxy bedding giveaway, $100 value and our Giveaway Friday! link up party. Please stop by. Jane F.
Melissa
September 11, 2010 @ 4:33 am
I love that! It is not you typical round wreath. I love how this turned out.
kelsey rae
September 11, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
This is exactly what I needed! I wholeheartedly agree that every front door should always have a wreath (or swag) to welcome people! Right now, I have a large "birds nest" wreath with nothing on it! Isn't that pitiful? Now, I'm inspired, thanks Julie! Oh, and I can't stand the word "swag" either. When it rhymes with things like nag, gag, etc….it's just not pretty. lol
Envy My Cooking
September 11, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
Just found this blog through link up. really cute blog. if you need new recipes come on over to our site!
thanks and new follower
Meg
September 12, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
I love these! Such a creative way to introduce the fall season. I also love how it's a little departure from the everyday wreath. Great colors!
Thank you for linking up to my Friday link party! See you next week!
Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating
September 12, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
Great fall decorations! Makes me ready for some cooler weather. Thanks for sharing!
~Jamie Kubeczka~
September 13, 2010 @ 4:56 pm
Oh how I am loving these!!! I wish I had the skill to make one, because my front door could use it!
Orange it Lovely
September 14, 2010 @ 2:10 am
that looks amazing!! I love all the natural elements!
~Tana
JoLynn
October 18, 2010 @ 4:26 pm
That looks so great! I LOVE {with a capital L} your front doors! They are gorgeous!!