Welcome Fall: DIY Wreath with Natural Elements!

Happy first day of Fall! I’ve been waiting not-so-patiently for my favorite time of year and autumn’s arrival, how about you? Now if only Mother Nature will cooperate and bring us some relief from our 80 degree temps with some crisp fall air!

I hung a wreath to welcome fall, adding some natural elements to a ready-made wreath, that I used as a base.

I found a wreath at T.J. Maxx for $39.99, a good price and size, and I loved the natural twig outside layer. It looked like a good candidate and foundation for a ‘Welcome Fall’ Wreath.

It only needed some ‘fall love’ and embellishment to cover the artificial leaves and help it make the transition from discount to designer. I added some natural materials using things I already had in my stash, and it was quick to assemble with the help of a glue gun!

I added some small grapevine pumpkins from Hobby Lobby, used at the table here; pheasant feathers and dried pomegranates from my Christmas mantle decorations, and dried hydrangea blooms from my wheelbarrow harvest that have faded to a natural shade after our long hot summer.

Tip: Spray your dried hydrangea blooms with an aerosol hairspray. It will help prevent them from shattering and last a bit longer. While the dried hydrangea blooms on the wreath are still fragile and will ultimately have to be replaced next year, they add some pretty texture and soften the artificial leaves on the wreath. Just remember that dried hydrangeas are better suited to enjoy indoors or on a covered entryway or porch, protected from the sun and the elements.

This kind of wreath-making and assembly is easier than starting with the blank slate of a grapevine or straw wreath base. You can use the elements already there working around them as a guideline, to place your materials. Started with your larger elements first, in this case, the grapevine pumpkins, which I tucked in next to the pine cones already on the wreath.

I placed the pomegranates and hydrangea blooms next, adding them around the faux berries, then added the feathers last. Arrange everything how you like first before you begin to wire, pick or glue anything. I used a glue gun, adding the glue as the wreath was laying down assembled, so I didn’t disturb the arrangement much. I only needed bit a glue to hold everything in place, since the grapevine pumpkins had long twig stems and the feathers could be tucked in among the other twigs and leaves.

You can use this same technique for a fall garland for the table or mantel, using an artificial garland as a base to make a more realistic and natural garland.

You can find the step-by-step tutorial for assembling a garland here.

And see it used here: Falling Leaves Table

Happy Fall!

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