Before you get started though, scope out where you will hang it and how you will attach the finished product onto the ceiling; for instance suspended from a  hook (for indoor hanging flower/fern baskets; onto a chain suspended from an overhead light, etc….)  This will also enable you to decide how large a wreath to make and how many flowers therefore you’ll need.

Gather the following materials and tools:

Grapevine wreath (available in variety of sizes; circular/oval)

Silk flowers and ivy vines (by the armload! in beautiful colors)

Optional: 6-8 long flimsy vines with flower buds

Florist wire (sold rolled like kite string)

One yard of 16 gauge wire or lower (see an eBay Guide on crafting wire)

Three to four yards of plastic chain link, strong enough to suspend 15 lbs or more

3 or 4″ carabiner (hardware or sporting goods store)

Sturdy wire cutters

One & a half yards of woven fabric in a color blending with the flowers

Scissors, needle & thread or use of a sewing machine

Measuring tape (soft, rolled; not metal, retractable)

Warning:  I have made several of these beautiful ‘crowns’ and am amazed at how I always need to go hunting for even more flowers than I’d estimated!

Surface to Work on

The first thing to do is to find a place to set your wreath on, ideally suspended or leaning against something, instead of lying flat.  By having a somewhat vertical position, you’ll have a better view of where to place the flowers.  My favorite location is to lean the wreath on a staircase post/banister.  It leans in front of me like it is being worn by a horse who’s just won a race!

First, Add Flowers

Cut and discard the stems from the flowers leaving 3 to 5″ of stem to wrap around and anchor to a branch.  Before putting them in place permanently, divide the flowers into two piles to distribute them evenly on the upper side of the wreath & on to the bottom side (which will be the side Baby views!)  Then begin adding the  flowers, wrapping the stem length around the vine branches.  Further secure each one with strips of 8 to 12″ florist wire.  Glue petals/ leaves, sparingly–this will be a good way to camouflage wires or stems among the grape vine branches.  As one side dries, turn the wreath over and add the flowers so the colors look  harmonious– not necessarily in identically opposite positions form the top side, but pleasingly balanced.

Optionally add butterflies/ birds, etc.

Hanging Vines ?

If you want to add the flowing, flimsy vines, hanging down from the under-side, attach them as you did with the flower stems, securely with florist wire, if desired.  INSURE they are well above grabbing reach of an infant or youngster if hanging wreath above a table.

Suspending With Chain

Once you are satisfied that you have enough flowers & greenery, and you like the array of colors they form, then you are ready to add the parts enabling you to suspend the wreath.  Cut the plastic rope into 3 equal pieces.   Using the measuring tape, locate three equally distant points on the top side of the wreath, where you will secure the last link of each chain, down into and among the vine branches.  Use the 16 gauge wire to lash the last link onto a branch….  Lace all three top chain links onto the carabiner to hold up and determine if any adjustments need to be made to balance it perfectly.

Covering the chain

Unhook the top chain links from the carabiner.  Measure the fabric (at the width, or short end) and mark off three 7″ lengths.  With scissors, snip down about an inch  at these three marks and tear the strips the full length of the fabric.  ( Hint:  Tearing will enable you to have perfectly straight strips, according to the weave.  Hopefully the print will be even also.  Whereas, cutting the fabric would let you  have  strips that look straight, according to the print dyed on it, but there is a slight chance that fabric may not have been woven perfectly straight.  If the strips aren’t straight by way of the weave, they would pucker and twist, causing unsightliness.)

You will make three long, skinny tubes to thread each chain through.  Since the fabric is far longer than each chain strip, the excess fabric of the tube will make a beautifully ruffled effect.   Here’s how:  for each strip, fold them length-wise, with right sides together.  Hand stitch or use the sewing machine to stitch the open edge of the folded tube leaving about an half inch selvage (the area that will keep the fabric from unraveling).  Turn down the far ends so the openings of the tube are smooth too.  Then you will turn the tubes right side out by telescoping one end up into the long part and working it up  with your hands until you have brought the whole tube inside out.  If you think the tube is too wrinkled, iron them out.  Then thread the chain length through each tube, stitching the fabric ends to anchor them in place on the first & last chain links.  Now you can re-thread the three top links onto the carabiner.

Hanging the Wreath

You can either hang the wreath by the top loop edge of the carabiner, or add an S hook giving you another secure way to hang the wreath onto a ceiling hook or other device.

Share Your Creation!

If you are able to send a digital photo of your final wreath, please do! so we can have a gallery of these fine creations to inspire us!

Little ones can learn this age old hostess art by starting young, with both dolls + bears OR with friends. Why not assemble a Tea Party Gift Basket?

Let their age determine whether you look for plastic or china/pottery tea service sets.   The tea set will determine how big of a basket you’ll need.   Then the fun begins: what special fabric be just right to serve as the tablecloth?  Cloth dinner napkins might do the trick.  Or, if you care to whip stitch the edges, treat yourself to scanning through quilting fabric.

Will you want to include small cookie cutters?   Paper Clay to make cookies?  Sprinkle shakers?  A little apron?  etc.   Adding in real petite fours would be a great treat.

Will you want to include some non-caffeinated teas?  How about rose bud topped sugar cubes to dress up  the many tea parties to come?

You might enjoy the magazine called Tea Time for its stories, recipes and numerous ideas for tea parties.  Visit their site at www.teatimemagazine.com.   And consider the many storybooks devoted to this very ritual– one would be a nice inclusion too.   Finally, the hostess who receives a tea party gift basket will appreciate party invitations that set the tone as each little guest opens hers up.

How many little ones come to mind, whom you will want to make this gift for?!

Many more coming soon!

By far, his style is immotalized in the theme park outside of Amsterdam called d’Efteling, still frequented today.  (Walt Disney was one of his admirers) 

Exhibitions of Anton Pieck’s work are  still assembled today and originals can still be purchased at various auctions.  I found several of the hard bound volumes of his work on eBay and love leafing through them.  Several years ago his prints were used by crafters to create framed 3D pictures.  Noel & Pat Thomas credit him as their muse for their lovely miniature olde toy shoppe called East of the Moon.

My fascination with this gifted & imaginative genius is in creating doll houses of his style and a small village that can withstand the elements in a yard!  Once photos are available, I will post them!

Do you want to re-create those moments? Here you will find flights of creative fancy that bring you, and all around you, back into those warm hours of sheer and innocent delight!

What comes to mind:  gardening?  baking? sewing? What?!