Every day, when I get back from walking Snap, I have a collection of bits and pieces I have gathered from the hedgerows in my hands. Beautiful leaves, seeds and berries feature heavily at this time of year and get placed in various bottles, bowls, and vases around the house to bring the Autumn colours in. Today, inspired by the glorious sun and blue sky, I decided to make an Autumn version of my Christmas wreath to hang by the front door and I thought you might enjoy seeing how I did it so you could make one of your own.
I started with a collection of coloured leaves and berries from the hedgerows and my garden.
I also used my secateurs and some thin florists wire.
I was lucky enough to find some fresh and flexible shoots of willow by the river with stunning yellow leaves still attached, they enabled me to create a base circle for the wreath without needing any wire or frame. I managed to weave it together into a strong structure and only used the wire to make a hanging loop at the top.
Next I started adding some long flexible twigs from the silver birch in our garden. These were simply wrapped around the willow and the ends tucked in.
I finished by adding some beautiful twigs of hawthorn which had been cut down by a farmer tidying the hedge - they were covered in berries and also coloured yellow by lichens and some leaves from the acer in my garden added some lovely deep plumy reds.
Do watch out for thorns on the items you collect - I look a bit like I lost a battle with a tiger after making my wreath...
I have chosen the simplest way possible to make this wreath and I know it will have a temporary life before the leaves begin to fall but I wanted something quick and instant to do with the things I had gathered and this fits the bill perfectly. If you wanted something that will last a bit longer or if you struggle to find something local to you that is flexible enough to create the initial structure, why not have a go at following my tutorial for a Christmas wreath - using autumn leaves instead? The oasis will make the leaves last longer and you get instant structure from your metal hoop.
I am very pleased with my fluffy autumn wreath - I wonder if the boys will notice? Have fun if you make one too and I would love to see what leaves and berries you choose to use in your part of the world....
