Tues. July 10th, 11:00 EST,
A Warm Welcome with Wreaths…
Merry Christmas in July on the “Show Me Decorating Radio Show“!!
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Creating a warm and inviting entranceway begins with your front door! A Christmas wreath is a common icon during the holiday season. Have you ever asked yourself why? Where did the tradition of decorating with a wreath come from and is there a spiritual meaning? When we are filled with questions the 1st place to search is……. Google of course! Here is what we discovered.
Christmas Wreath
Its Meaning, History and Types
One of the most popular holiday decorations is the Christmas Wreath. You will see Christmas Wreaths used in many different ways and in many different settings. It is common to see them on the stairway, hanging on walls or doors, or even as a centerpiece on a table. From individual homes to large corporate offices, Christmas Wreaths are a pleasant sight throughout the holiday season.
What is the Meaning of the Christmas Wreath? The term “Wreath”, curiously enough, is linked to our word “Wrist”, with both terms forming a continuous physical circular shape. It also came from Middle English’s “wrethe”, meaning a twisted band or ring of leaves or flowers in a garland.
Wreaths have been used symbolically for centuries. The circle or ring shape is symbolic of eternity or eternal life, because the shape has no beginning or end. Read more http://www.holidaydecorations.com/Christmas-Wreath.html
Wreath Making by Georgeann Walton
Designer, artist and creator extrodinaire!
Georageann Walton grew up in Stanton Texas….always drawing and crafting from the start with a wonderful grandmother who was creative herself….and a great teacher …learned to sew and played with clay…..whatever interested her…..they went and got the supplies….! Georgeann loved her “MiMi” and it was always a good day when she got notebook paper and a new box of crayons!
She went to the Art Institute in Dallas Texas in the 80’s for graphic design… worked at Arnold’s of Dallas….a mom and pop store like the chain hobby and craft stores now…in fact she said those people come in to check out Arnold’s several times …really a store before it’s time! She learned lots there!
She continues to share her talents at Miss Cayce’s Christmas Store, designing, teaching and training!
Georgeanns tips on making your own wreath!
Pick your theme or color story, Santa’s, angels, nutcrackers, snowmen, or match your home décor with colors that coordinate or compliment
Determine the style: whimsical, dressy or country etc.
Where is your wreath going: outside (will it be protected from the elements or exposed) or inside
Shop for good quality products:
1. Start with a quality base, a well made wreath with good wired branches
2. Ribbon with wired edges will hold its shape, quality fabric
3.Florals that are made well…..Georgeann likes to give ’em the shake test before she purchases them….to make sure they will withstand a little wind! She also learned that every flower has a face, turn and shape it. Florals can give projection and dimension
4. Filler items that coordinate and support the theme or color story, ornaments, balls or decorations
Georgeann always wants to tell a story when making a wreath….it’s part of the fun for her…..and she usually starts with a focal point….not just a little something…but something with some size (everything is bigger in Texas)….remember most of the time if you are putting this on your front door….you want people to see it from the street….so say you wanna do a Santa wreath….pick one that’s 10- 12 inches or so…..or bigger……another trick she uses and it seems to always be a favorite is she puts in a sign….it helps tell the story and gives your guests a little greeting when they approach your door…..so think about what would Santa a say…..maybe you could find a Ho Ho Ho sign…..or for sure a Merry Christmas……also look for ribbon that helps complete your look…. other fillers to add interest…..berries…..flowers……maybe some toy ornaments or package ornaments…..the sky is the limit……she always gathers things up in a basket…..if your things look good in the basket…..they will look great and work on your wreath!
As far as construction you will need a few items to make things easy….good scissors, wire cutters….floral wire…. glue gun
Putting your wreath together- ALWAYS fluff your wreath……it’s been crammed in a box…..give it a face lift before you decorate it!……..Sometimes and especially when she first began she would kinda lay her product on the wreath to see the best placement for the items…..think of your wreath like a big clock….say we are doing a Santa theme wreath…..maybe you would put your Santa at the 7 8 9 10 )cuz he’s big remember)spot…..your bow maybe at the 12, 1 spot…..and your Merry Christmas sign at the 3 or 4 o’clock spot……you have formed a triangle.. she works alot with triangle placement…..this makes it pleasing to the eye………now the wreath will tell you where you need to fill in with floral or your package ornaments ( in the blank spots)… you can use a glue gun….wire….or a combination….and she thinks that’s best for a long lasting wreath…..storing up in the attic make glue become loose…. !
If you have any desire what so ever you can be taught to create….just for so many years the designers wanted to make it all a big secret and make it appear really hard to do….but it’s not…surround yourself with sharing women…..and no telling what kind of artists you will see that you are…..fear stops us…..stop fear…..go make something pretty……and then brag about it!…… it’s okay!….then teach someone else!
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Types of Christmas Wreaths
While there are many designs and styles of Christmas Wreaths, they mainly fall into two categories, the Decorative Christmas Wreath and the Advent Wreath.
The Decorative Christmas Wreath is made simply for crafts and holiday decorations, similar in use to Christmas Lights. These have a different purpose than other types of wreaths. Wreaths give a house or office the “finishing touch” to the holiday decorations. Their symbolism and look just give the area the little extra Christmas feeling. Decorative Christmas Wreaths are usually made of evergreen leaves, holly, or other materials which symbolize life throughout tough winters.
The Advent Wreath
The Advent Wreath is a tradition that is a part of folklore from centuries ago. The Pre-Christian Germanic people during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths and lighted fires as signs of hope in the coming spring and renewed light. The 16th century Catholics and Protestants used wreaths as symbols to celebrate their hope in Christ, the everlasting Light. From Germany, the use of the Advent Wreath spread to other parts of the world.
Traditionally, the Advent Wreath is made of four violet or rose candles in a circle of evergreens with a fifth candle in the middle. Each day at home, the candles are lighted before the evening meal, one candle for the first week, and then another each succeeding week until December 25th. The last candle is the middle candle of the wreath. The lighting of this candle takes place on Christmas Eve and represents the birth of Jesus Christ. read more http://www.holidaydecorations.com/Christmas-Wreath.html
Happy Decorating yall!
Kathy and Becky
Show Me Decorating
The Christmas Decorating Experts
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