All this makes us want to do is curl up with some cocoa in our scooter bedding.Last year, I saw a picture on Pinterest (see here) of a nice wreath for the 4th of July.  I made one for my door last year and loved how it turned out. A friend liked my wreath so much that she asked if I would make her one. I decided that while I was making it, I might as well take pictures and put together a tutorial so you can make one for your own home.. Make Your Own Patriotic Clothespin WreathSupplies Needed to Make Patriotic Wreath Darice Wood Cutout Star Assorted Styles,1 to 4 inches each Acrylic paint: (Apple Barrel white, blue azure, and Americana lipstick red) (JoAnn's & WalMart) Surebonder Mini Glue Gun - high temperature High Temperature Glue Sticks Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat Clothespins - amount depends on the size of your wreath (I used 40 red, 35 white, 21 blue for a 24 inch wreath) (Dollar Tree) NOTE: There have been a lot of questions about the wreath size I used.

Mine is a large 24-inch wreath. The link I provided goes to a different size wreath because the only link for a 24-inch wreath didn't seem to be a reliable seller. You can buy any size or shape that you want to use. The difference would be in how many clothespins you would end up needing to use. Tutorial To Make A Patriotic Clothespin Wreath                                               I hand painted all of the clothespins.  I've seen other posts where people used spray paint to paint the clothespins, but I am not good about getting an even coat of spray paint.  So, if you have a steady hand, use spray paint.  But, if you are in the middle of binge watching your favorite tv series on Netflix and have the time, use the acrylic paint.  You have more options for colors and shades that way too. Update: You can also use a gallon plastic bag, squirt some paint in, add your clothespins, mix around, then remove and set out to dry. That will save you plenty of time.

Before painting, I always cover my crafting surface with my craft mat. It keeps my desk from getting paint all over it, and the mat is super easy to clean and reuse. After painting the clothespins, it was time to paint the wooden stars.  cheap upvc doors west midlandsI like that the stars are different sizes. pocket door track cadIt makes them look nice on the finished wreath. sliding glass door bug flapWhen the clothespins and stars were painted and dry, it was time to put them on the wire wreath frame.garage door repair white bear lake I put all of the blue clothespins together.  pvc doors and windows malta

Then I put 5 red clothespins followed by 5 white pins then continued the pattern around the wire wreath frame. I've read comments that I put too many stripes (red and white bunches). If you are concerned about having the correct number of stripes for your wreath, you can space the clothespins out more than I did or you could even buy a smaller wreath frame to make it more accurate.emergency exit door lever I love how this wreath turned out. garage door bottom seal bracketI actually keep this wreath up through the whole summer. I'm always a little sad when it's time to take it down and put up my fall wreath. This wreath is perfect for any, and all, of the different patriotic holidays.  It is nice enough to put up for Memorial Day and keep up through the 4th of July or longer. If you like this project, I'm sure you will like these as well!

Nothing says "Welcome" like a wreath. Grab some of your favorite greens, blooms, and garden supplies and make a quick garden wreath.Enter your email address below for our free weekly newsletter, loaded with timely articles, new tips, inspirational photos and much more. Enter your email address to join: Let's welcome friends to our gardens with inviting wreaths that you can put together in under an hour; some in just a few minutes.They look wonderful hanging on the front door or garden gate and even along the fence in obvious places. Here are some supplies you'll need: Garden greenery, flowers, twist ties, thin and thick wire, wire cutters and gloves, bases of various shapes, old hoses, hand tools, trinkets, ribbon, etc. You can actually gather your greenery and simply loop it, secure with a twist tie, add a ribbon, and hang it on a hook. If you're making this for a special event, add your freshly cut blooms right before party time. I use florist tubes, which can be purchased from a flower shop or wholesaler, to keep the blooms fresh all day. 

I simply tuck them into the greenery and use a twist tie or wire to secure them. Start with  a styrofoam base, cover it with sphagnum moss, and wet it well. Then tuck your greenery into the base. Blooms can be added, or you can sinply make a statement with the greens alone. You can also water your wreath by misting it often to keep it fresh longer. TIP: Look for super-cheap wreaths at thrift shops or garage sales.  It doesn't matter if they are beaten-up because you will cover everything. Plus, you'll save $7 or more. Or use a wire frame wreath as your base and secure your garden greens to it with thin wire. When the wreath dries out, they will still look great and add cottage charm to your garden. Don't be shy about silk flowers. I can hear all of you gardeners yelling at me right now:  "Please don't."  Silk flowers can be tucked into fresh greenery, and at the dollar store they are a bargain. I had a side gate that I never used, so I added a fresh green wreath with silks. 

As the greenery dried, the silks still looked good against the brown twigs. Plus, I don't like to waste flowers on a wreath I don't get to see. I love to upcycle, using items that might have been designated for the landfill. My favorite is the hose wreath and I have made many of them over the past 30 years because I sold them at craft shows. Loop your hose and secure it with wire. Add whatever you want to make it a one-of-a-kind wreath. When you are thinking about making a wreath and don't want to spend a penny, think outside the box.  Don't limit yourself to round wreaths: They can be square, triangular, or any other shape you like. You could snag an old picture frame and tie fresh greens to it, adding blooms, tools, or trinkets to make it "you-nique." Wire wreath frames found at Walmart or craft stores are great bases but I prefer to find things at thrift stores, throw-away bins, or garage sales, or even bent ones in clearance sales that may be bent or scratched. I will use anything round or make it round to shape a future wreath.

Once, after a storm delivered an abundance of twigs and thin limbs to my garden, I took the bendable ones and shaped them into a large oval, securing the ends with twist ties.  I added a bow made of burlap and hung it on the back yard patio wall.  It stayed just like that for two years and aged beautifully. I also used a round dish drainer (similar to the one above) as a wreath once. I loved it so much because I could tuck things into it all over, inside and out. Alas, someone else loved it too and snatched it. The birds will love this if you hang it outdoors.  It can also be hung inside, allowing it to dry out and be used decoratively. This next one is made from vintage ornaments I have collected, but you could have fun buying plastic ones after Christmas and making one like this with your own greenery next year. I hope that you will make some wreaths out of your own garden supplies. Remember, before you toss out old junk, ask yourself whether it would make a great wreath or other piece of garden art!