fresh, hand tied, wreath tutorial

Materials needed:

• cutting shears
• 20 gauge floral wire
• greens, hubby uses douglas fir greens... always   -You can use anything you want. Whatever is growing in your yard perhaps? Any type of evergreen, boxwood, holly, juniper, rose hips, winterberry, a combination of any of these or something else altogether.
• a wire ring
• gardening gloves-this is a sappy project

gather and cut a bunch of greens to about the same size

 Place on ring and wrap wire around very tightly-do not cut wire until you are finished.

 You will be holding that bunch of greens in place with one hand as you are wrapping wire with the other. Just keep repeating these steps until your wreath is completed.

 Would it be crass to to insert here that I am still really digging those muscles after almost 24 years of marriage...

 anywho...this is what the back of your wreath should look like at this point.

Of course you can use whatever size ring you wish.

finds...

Who doesn't love a good find? You know I do! I found this dress somewhere along my travels in the last year, but I cannot remember where! All I remember is that I got it second hand and it was super cheap and I thought it would be perfect for Advent. Today marks the first Sunday of Advent. She wore it to church this morning.

 Speaking of finds, Here are a few that are now down at my space at Building Character

 I wish I new how old this mirror was. It is really old, has a beautiful patina and weighs a ton!

 I love this mid-century pink canister set! Notice how the cafe' canister is the only one that shows a bit of wear. The previous owners must have loved there morning brew.

I remember having one of these in our kitchen when I was a little girl. I have been thinking about bringing this one home to place under the telephone in the kitchen-hmmmm.... 

 A lampshade remade in the softest pink with very vintage pink ribbon and lace.

And some pillows...

Recognize the waverly floral print? I know, I've used it a lot. I think it's just one of those perfect prints-at least to me. And at last a blue ticking stripe pillow with white pom pom fringe.

If you are interested in any of these items feel free to email me

 at freshvintagebyamy@gmail.com

We have been busy, busy, busy around here...
For years my  husband has been making his beautiful, fresh,
 hand-tied for friends and family.
This year we decided to step it up. We will be at several craft shows in the coming weeks. This weekend is Lime Valley Mill for a three day show.

 This is the garage/workshop-smells like Christmas around here for sure!

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Can't wait to see my son tomorrow!!

woohoo!

Last night we went to a fundraiser at our church for the youth group.

It was so much fun to get out!

And look what I won at the chinese auction.

An ice cream fixin's basket, a beauty basket, and.........

One of Beth's quilt's!!!

I was so hoping to win and I screamed when I did.

Thank you Beth, I love it!

It also came with these treats for the littlest one.

hope...

This scripture verse really popped out at me this morning

as I was praying for a couple of friends.

Rejoice in Hope,

endure in affliction,

perservere in prayer.

Romans 12:12

baby shower...

We live in a great neighborhood. One of the girls is expecting in the next couple of weeks and we wanted to show her we cared by taking her out to lunch. Sadly, we were unable to coordinate between everyone's schedules. So what we decided to do was make a "shower in a basket". After trick or treating last night we all met outside and went over to her house, knocked on her door and yelled "trick or treat!!" She was surprised all right. We wished her well, left the gifts and balloons and quickly hurried off to let her rest. Short and sweet, but perfect.

Here is my contribution. Yes, it's a girl!

I made a blanket, burp cloth and bib from this very subtle pink brocade print and super soft off-white minky fabric.

The minky is really hard to sew with, it's slippery. The trick is to use lots and lots of pins, about every inch or two.
It's worth the effort. It will be so soft for the baby.