Square Holly Wreath Tutorial

There is this weed in my courtyard near the pool that just grows and grows - like weeds do. Wouldn't ya know? - it's a holly bush. Try as I may, and I have, I cannot subdue the bugger. So, I have decided that for another year, its fate is to remain and serve as the provider of Christmas greenery.

If I remember correctly, holly leaves remain green and look fresh and bright for quite some time. On a porch or indoors, I would expect this wreath to last the winter, if desired. Now, here's to hoping I have remembered correctly!

This wreath is simple to make with holly trimmings. This serves another purpose as well: the holly bush is now trimmed for spring (for a few weeks anyway!), which needed to be done before before the thaw arrives - here's to hopeful thinking for a short winter!

Supplies:

• Holly Trimmings
• Pruning Shears
• Floral Foam
• Ribbon
• Paper Clip

I had on hand a square floral foam block and cut it into thirds like so:

Then I trimmed the holly bush, gathering various branches and bunches. The longest I cut was probably 10 inches. I'd say I used one really stuffed full plastic grocery bag of trimmings. Hard to say, since I made sveral trips outdoors to trim and I didn't ever fill the bag or cram them in...

Originally, I poked two holes through the foam for hanging but decided the effort to feed the ribbon through the holes was too much. So I pulled open the small end from the large end of a paperclip (into a sort of "V" and inserted it with one side of the "V" going up into the foam. This is such so the weight of the wreath hanging will hold it in place.

I began by filling in the sides of the foam with branches (the frame), paying attention to the four corners. I also began poking the tiny trimmings and extras into the middle to make it thick. Fill in the sides and the front edges, bringing to mix with the extras in the middle. Then pole a few taller pieces into the main front area/middle to create more dimension.

Tie a knot in the end of the ribbon and slide it onto the paperclip hanger. Adjust to hang straight and level if necessary.

There you have it! My only suggestion at this point would be to then actually hang it level for photos. Ha! I failed that one miserably. But, love the wreath hanging from what used to be a headboard found in our heifer barn - one of my brothers and and his wife made it for my Love and I as a wedding gift!

When my brand new heart-throb arrived (sewing machine) not too long ago, HR (who I have taught to sew since his toddler years) just HAD to use it. It wasn't long and he presented his baby sister TA with her first Christmas stocking. I know, I know ...aaaaahhhh.   It's all of three inches and will hold her first mini candy cane this year.  One more pic - a little straighter:

This wreath is a gift; now I have to make one for me! (Poor holly bush!)