According to the Calendar it's Spring

According to the calendar it's Spring...

Small grapevine wreath with birds nest

Spring began early Wednesday morning according to the calendar. We still are buried in snow and the high temperatures of  day are right around freezing. With Easter just around the corner, people are looking to bring a sign of the hope of warmer weather into their home. This week I did a few wall or door decorations that might inspire a feeling of a spring breeze rather than the burr of what we are experiencing.

Double birds nest adorned with ribbon &
flowers in blues and oranges.

 I like something other than that same old round grapevine wreath to use as a base for designing. Not that I don't or won't do them, but I like to be a little more creative. Be hones,t we all have a wreath if some sort. They are the "go to" door piece.

Plain spade

I went on a search for things to use for bases to embellish. I found a cute double birds nest that could be used as a table "set about" or to hang. I also found a mossy spade wall piece and matching rake. I found a moss garland I had never used but wanted to. Then I gave in and went for a small 8" grapevine wreath and a larger 16-18" wreath form.

Flower choices

Now to gather some adornments. I found a birds nest with a few eggs in the center.I chose some spring colored ribbon in blues, greens, multicolored butterflies and checks. Picked out a few favorite flowers in colors to match the ribbon. And grabbed a few fabric butterflies.

Ribbon added

Finished project

Next, I sorted my selections into pile of things I thought would look good together and tweaked some of the flower choices keeping the scale of the project in mind. When I do projects like this, I like to gather things all at once, then edit out things I don't need, rather than "shop" for each creation as I get ready to make it. This is a big time saver and you don't end up with everything but the kitchen sink in the "to use" pile.

Zip tied moss rake

Select a pretty little pile of spring and get to work. I use hot adhesive to secure most components in the designs but occasionally, I have something I can use a zip tie (cable or electrical tie) to attach the stems together. This  moss rake is a hydrangea, 3 astillbe, and a nest with a zip tie holding all the stems together to the handle of the rake. By using the plastic tie, it is a simple way of attaching things together as well as being very secure. It doesn't work on everything but it does have many uses.


My moss garland became a dimensional element on a grapevine wreath. I secured the roping in place with covered wire, glued on some buds and flowers (in a monochromatic color scheme) allowing for more dimension and space, added a few loops of ribbon and clipped the butterflies in place. This could easily be used flat on a table as well as on a wall or door.

Dimensional moss rope and butterfly wreath.

Hopefully, some of these thoughts of spring will hold us until the weather warms bringing us true signs of what's ahead. The blackbirds are back and I had a crocus bloom near my doorway today!