Christmas Kissing Ball Tutorial

 

 Christmas Kissing Balls are one of my favorite decorations to make during the holidays.  I really enjoy creating them & I have fun with all different custom orders.  I decided to bring you along as I created this custom ball for a sweet Etsy customer.  I posted a tutorial a couple years ago {HERE}, but decided an updated version was due…my picture quality has improved a bit, I hope;)

 

Supplies

• moss ball (you can wrap a foam ball yourself or purchase one pre-wrapped)
• pine sprigs, pine cones, acorns, berries, greens, etc.
• About 2 yards of ribbon(depending on how far you want it to hang)
• hot glue gun and glue (optional)

Steps

1. Get your moss ball.  I used a pre-wrapped 6 inch moss ball.
2. Take your chosen ribbon and wrap your ball, sort of like a present twisting at the bottom and wrapping back up to the top. *Leave one end longer to hang
3. Bring the ribbon back up to the top.  Make sure it is even with your twist at the bottom and then wrap it under itself.
4. Tie a knot making sure your longer side is the length you want it to hang.
5. Add in a couple more loops by wrapping wire around another piece of ribbon and stick it in leaving the other end to drape down.
6. Add in you pine, berries,  and other goodies keeping it somewhat symmetrical, but not too ‘matchy’.  You can simply stick them in the foam or I like to secure with a little hot glue as well.  Just keep adding in layers until you get your desired look and fullness.  Keep checking as you go to make sure it hangs balanced by holding it up from the top of your ribbon.  You can add weight around with your foliage accordingly.

Once you get the look you want, neatly trim your ribbons.  If you used wired ribbon you can manipulate it a little like I did with with this one.  Make a looped knot at the top for hanging… and there you go!

 

Hang from your ceiling, an entry chandelier (that’s where mine is), or wherever you see fit.  They make great  hostess gifts for parties too!

Here are a few more of some of the variations I’ve made…

The possibilities are endless.. Have fun! xoxo

 

DIY Bittersweet Pottery Barn Wreath

 I am getting very excited about my favorite upcoming season…ahhh, Fall.  I was looking through my stash of fall and found a bunch of bittersweet stems that my grandma had given me.  I decided to put them to use.  I usually use more muted colors, but I must be craving some excitement in my life because I was loving the pop of bright orange. 

       

I rounded up a small grapevine wreath, along with some floral wire, wire snips, ribbon and moss.  The wreath base I used is a more open one so I simply wove my stems throughout. If you have more of tight weaved wreath you would simply bend the stem how you want it and secure with your floral wire. Using wired stems helps in shaping them and securing them to the wreath.  I bent the stems around in the same direction, positioning them all slightly different to add dimension. There is no right or wrong. I also decided to stick some moss in mine and hang it from some velvet ribbon…Just cuz. 

5 minutes later… It was finished. 

 

So, as I was writing this blog post I Googled ‘bittersweet’ to see if A. these were in fact bittersweet vines like I thought, and  B. it was one word or two. (yes I do that often;)  And what do ya know, this little PB wreath popped up.  I am sure I have seen it before & it was probably cataloged in my brain somewhere, so I decided to show you the comparison and give PB a little credit. ;)

I wanted the vines to look as if they grew right on this wreath so I went for a more asymmetrical look.  I do love Pottery Barn’s.  It is lovely, but sorry,  not $59 lovely.  I’m sure you could even find bittersweet vines that are more similar to these and make your own for under $10. 

Here I added some more vines to show you how you can give it a little fuller look if your prefer.  That is the awesome thing about making it yourself friends…not only cheaper, but you can customize it to your liking!! Double bonus. 

Check out yesterday’s post to see where I put mine.

Ok now, go create:)

P.S. Have you ever seen dried bittersweet vines?  I love them and I want some for my mantel.

Linking up!

 

Spring Wreath Tutorials

Spring cannot get here fast enough if you ask me!  I am doing a bit of Spring Cleaning (if you can call it that with 6” of snow on the ground!) this weekend to get ready to brighten up my home with some happy Spring decor. 

If you are feeling like creating something Spring-y this weekend for your home, here are a couple tutorials I was asked to put together for HGTV.com.

Click HERE to see this Dogwood Spring Wreath tutorial

Click HERE to see this Traditional Magnolia Wreath tutorial

Whatever your weekend plans are I hope you enjoy! 

***I have been working on changing up my curtains in my family room and I can’t wait to show you!!  Hopefully this week. :) ***