2020 Tutorial
2020 UPDATE: After rewatching last year’s tutorial, I decided to make an updated Easy Holiday Wreath Video Tutorial . . . one that is condensed into a single video and MUCH shorter. I am still laughing at how far I’ve come since recording my first tutorial, so if you need a laugh (and have 13 hours and 4 bottles of wine to spare) . . . keep scrolling. In the meantime, here is the new one. You are welcome :).
2019 Tutorial
I typically protest decorating for Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving, but as most of you know I recently broke my foot . . . and if you don’t know and need a good laugh, read about it here. Due to the broken foot, I decided to start a few days earlier and wanted to share with you my first project in a tutorial–an Easy Holiday Wreath Video Tutorial to be exact!
The “Pin”spiration
Here was a wreath I had pinned from Pinterest for some inspiration–I suggest you do the same just to have something to refer to . . . or be like me and pin 14 ideas and then make a wreath that looks completely different. Might have been the wine . . . or just my creative genius. It’s a toss-up.
What you need:
- A grapevine wreath
- Some evergreens (see your backyard, neighborhood, back alley–you do you)
- I used cedar and pine for my wreath. If you can’t access greens easily, see about a tree cutting permit (they are only $10 in Nebraska). Get your hike on, baby.
- Snippers
- Scissors
- Accents like ribbon, berries, pinecones, sticks.
- Wine
A few things about this tutorial:
- This was my first time doing a tutorial via video–thanks in advance for bearing with me during the awkward moments. I could have edited them out but then, it just wouldn’t be me.
- My face is cut off and sometimes you just hear my voice. Probably better for both of us. Next time I will hire a camera crew.
- I suggest drinking wine, it will lower your inhibitions about how your wreath looks . . . which will make it look better . . . especially if you drink more wine.
- Please consider posting a pic of your final product to Facebook or Instagram and tagging @highway20collective.
. . . . here we go!
Getting Started | The Grapevine Wreath
Here I talk about what you need to look for in the grapevine wreath itself. I would suggest shopping for your wreath in person, to make sure it has the right structure–as mentioned in the video.
What you need | The Video Version
Visuals about the greenery and other elements you can use in your wreath.
Building the Wreath | Starting with the Greens
This video is a bit longer, but worth the watch. Pour more wine, it helps.
I talked quite a bit about using “Ponderosa” pine in this video . . . however, afterward, I realized that the pine may not actually be Ponderosa or maybe it is or maybe it doesn’t really matter. Anyway, just a disclaimer–I am not sure, I am not a pine tree expert and I need to ask my mom for sure . . . she trimmed it, it’s her tree, so it’s probably her fault if I am wrong . . . love you mom.
The Frilly Details
Here I add some more cedar to soften the wreath and also, ramble a bit about the wind at my house. It’s worth a watch.
The Final Touches
Oooooh, we are getting close! Are you drunk yet? I might be.
The Finished Product
First, if you are sober enough to watch this last video–congratu-freakin-lations (because lord knows listening to me for the last 20 minutes is enough to drive anyone to drink).
Secondly, I am sorry that I didn’t get to add pinecones to my wreath so it looked more like the “Pin”spiration–but I couldn’t find my pine cone stash at the time (yes, that is a thing and I have one . . . somewhere . . . maybe it’s with more of those sticks I save in the basement . . .)
Lastly, I mention in this video attending a local wreath-making event. Ta-Da Quilt Shop here in Chadron already had theirs (apparently it’s already the end of November–anyone else shocked by that!?!) and some of the wreaths I saw on social media were FAB. Keep your eye out for other options and who knows, maybe I might get up enough courage to host one next year so we can drink and create together!
Thanks again for watching, don’t forget to post a pic of your final product to Facebook or Instagram and tag @highway20collective.
