~SHABBY COTTAGE CHIC WONDERFUL..A Christmas Wreath Tutorial~

~HEART WREATH~

(made w/ vintage millinery roses)

I'd planned on sharing with you some vintage images this morning for Christmas gift-tag making, but I'm afraid that will have to wait another day!  Sorreeee!  My guy and I were busy hunting down a problem with our Christmas Tree's lights yesterday and that spun my day off into another direction and I didn't get the graphics all sorted out!

~FROSTED WITH PINK & White PAINT~

(and a bit of faux snow for flocking)

Tomorrow is another day~right?  I'll also be back this evening with the name of the winner of my Christmas Sachet Giveaway! :)

~OLD PINK ROSE HAT~

(Gotta love those vintage blooms)

Today  I'm going to share with you some pictures of a small Christmas Heart Wreath I hung last night in my formal dining room.  I snapped some pictures while she was being created and I'm hoping that by seeing mine it will give you a little boost to want to create your own!

 ~BEGIN WITH CUTTING AWAY FLOWERS~

I love using old blooms found on vintage hats.  Remember this one?  I picked it up earlier this year for a cooooool buck!  Sweet way to get a really Shabby Cottage Chic look...soft, creamy pastel and not too bright!

~ATTACH w/HOT GLUE~

I randomly glued the little pink flowers in place.

 Original "Made in Japan" tag was hiding inside and the original $1.98 price tag, too!

 ~SPRAY PAINT YOUR FLORAL FINDINGS~

After your largest flowers are hot glued in place, attach some sprigs of tiny berries that have been spray painted with frosty white paint.  This will tone down your wreath and make it look shabby chic wonderful... 

 ~AFTER PAINTING~

Hot Glue a couple big handfuls of the berries in place!

 ~TOO GREEN FOR ME~

If the look you are going for is soft and muted, then don't forget to paint your leaves as well.  The green above is lovely but just toooo bright for my taste.  You can spray them or brush paint them with craft paint!

 I favor parchment leaves that are factory frosted and lightly gilded.  I've had these for a long time but you can pick up vines that are similar at Michael's and Hobby Lobby!

 ~GETTING CLOSE TO DONE~

~ADD SPRIGS OF MUTED GREENERY~

 ~ADD RIBBON/HANGER TO THE BACK~

 

~HANGING SWEETLY IN PLACE~

~HERE SHE IS AGAIN~

Once our formal dining room is fully decorated I'll show you the entire space!

After the wreath was hanging in place I did go back and add a flirty metallic gold bow at the top.  It just needed a bit a glitz and glitter.  You can even include small bulbs and/or ornaments if you like...

And so there you have it!  Even if you don't have an old hat you can still find lovely blooms at your local craft store that will work.  Don't think they can't be toned down with paint or faux-snow frosting!  They can be!  True shabby cottage decor is soft and the colors are never too bold...

Now...don't forget I'll be back later with the name of the winner of the Sachet Drawing!

Hope your day is awesome!

Love to you...