I know this isn’t the most amazing tutorial and that the concept as well as the execution are rather simplistic. The point, however, is not how to make an autumn wreath, but to teach myself how to blog. I know, so 10 years ago, right? I’m usually about 15 years behind technology, so I’m pretty excited about this up and coming transition.

I bought the wreath second-hand, multiple years ago. My original intent for it I have forgotten. Several years ago I was given a bag of an assortment of wood cutouts. Among the treasures I found the moose heads. I don’t know if they were actually intended to be moose heads or not, but I like moose, especially at Christmas time, and so I created the wreath you see. Fast forward about 5 years. One of the moose appears as though its ear was eaten by one of the other moose, the ribbon has become crumpled, strands of glue are visible and worst of all, all the entry doors to my current residence have glass panes in them. While I could hang a wreath on them, those entering and exiting through said doors are not always cautious in the amount of exertion used to close the door and this creates forceful motion absorbed by the wreath, which then pummels into the glass. So far nothing has been broken, but I’d hate to loose a several hundred dollar door over a less-than-ten dollar wreath. So I have one hook to the side of the main entrance where I display door hanging type decor. Short story version: it was time for an upcycle.


The first step in the creation of this wreath was to remove the old glue and outdated adornments.


The supplies to update the wreath cost me $4; two clusters of flowers and two strands of artificial autumn leaves at $1 each.
The only tools required are a hot glue gun and a pair of wire cutters.


Once the wreath had been stripped, I wound the strands of leaves around the twigs.


Next, sunflowers in various sizes and colors were woven into the creation.At this point I’m out of supplies and it looks as though I’ve wasted $4, but this is where the magic happens. Using the glue gun, arrange the leaves to conceal most of the twigs on the wreath. Also, work with the flowers to fluff the petals and have them face in a visible direction. You can use glue to hold them in place, but make sure to disconnect your strands. If there are any leaves on the back side of the wreath, snip them off and glue them on the front. You aren't destroying them, they're not real, remember? And they won't be visible if they are located behind the wreath so their beauty (as beautiful as synthetic gets) is lost.


The final step is to add anything else that takes the wreath from common and off the shelf to uniquely and distinctly yours. One could add glittery sticks, which I’m sure have a proper and elegant name, or artificial gourds and pumpkins, ribbons, bows, vinyl lettering, whatever it is that suits your fancy and allows for your expression. I’m simple, I stuck with the flowers and added a gold bow out of ribbon I had leftover from when I taught about Ancient Egypt to my 6th grade class (Trust me. It is impossible to teach 11 and 12 year old students about Ancient Egypt without Gold Ribbon. My heart bleeds for those who have tried). Ordinarily I don’t care for gold, but I liked the way it worked with the colors, so it is in there.

I know this next image seems somewhat out of place. Although Halloween occurs in the fall, the decoration doesn’t speak of Autumn with the black and orange and the black spiders attached throughout. I included it because it is lighted. As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, I love to come home to the orange glow emanating from my porch. My Christmas wreath is lighted as well for the same reason. It would follow form for me to add a string of lights to this wreath, though I did not as of yet because I didn’t have them on hand.

Lastly, keep in mind that a wreath doesn’t have to be limited to the front door. Whereas I have my Halloween wreath in the wreath spot at my house, the Autumn wreath (I should think of a different word for wreath because it’s starting to sound weird as I type it from having used it so much) has been combined with other autumn decorations in a festive centerpiece.


Overall it makes for an inviting atmosphere, almost one where a reader would look at the picture and deep down wish that I had extended an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner. Too bad I don’t cook!