Monday, June 11, 2012

Got Moss?

Got Moss?  Well, I did.  So I decided to make a wreath. It turned out really earthy and pretty.  I made little birch trees and placed them inside.  And also used one of my homemade mushrooms and a fake bird's nest.  It's easy.  Here's how...   

I started with a 15" green wreath form and a roll of Super Moss/Instant Green. 18" by 48".  I traced the wreath shape on the back of the Moss.  Cut it out and glued it on.  

Then I cut out 2" strips and glued those on.  I just used Elmer's.  I put the natural edge towards the front of the wreath.  If an edge doesn't want to hold, stick it with pins until it drys tight to the edge.

Now it is completely covered.  I had a little unwanted help.  My cats were buzzing around me like mosquitoes during this project.  

I drew trees onto muslin fabric and cut out a front and back.  I added around a 1/4 inch seam.

Here I sewed the two sides together.  Turning the long strips inside out was a chore.

Now I'm stuffing them.  Another chore.  Sigh.

On to the painting.  I used white fabric paint.  But acrylic would be fine.

Now for the fun part.  I took markers and added the birch effect.  You can see in the background I've already attached the bird's nest.  I used green craft wire.  You'll need a wire cutter for this part.  

I already had a mushroom from a Christmas craft project.  See my labels for a demo on how to make these.  (under crafts)  I took a screw driver and just poked a hole in the wreath foam base.  Then I just stuffed the mushroom in.  That is how I attached one of my birch trees as well.  You can just randomly place them at will.  Two of the trees I attached to the back of the wreath with the craft wire. I also attached some fake sticks with the wire.

 A fake cardinal sits on top.  A real one proved too difficult...

Viola!  The fun part of this project is that you can just use what ever natural things you can forage for. Or make your own.  Acorns, sticks, fungus, feathers, rocks, pine cones...anything goes.  Use your imagination.  It's all good!  P.S.  I just read in the paper today that they are starting to use moss to clean swimming pools.  Who knew!  For less crafts and more cats visit www.gattinamycats.blogspot.com

10 comments:

Ellen Whyte said...

How nice! My mum makes these at Christmas.

Hilary said...

Absolutely adorable. You're SO creative. I love the peek at your cat through the center of the wreath. Too cute. :)

Barbara said...

That's so clever! I admire your creativity so much.

Jenny Woolf said...

So clever. And I adore the photo of the cat framed in the wreath.

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice! Artistic people can create almost anything. I wish I was one of them...
We have four cats and whenever we start to do something, they are EVERYWHERE... It's pretty cute that they always have to lay down right in the middle of it all.

Marilia said...

Hi, thanks to the visit!!!!!
Hugs

Mary said...

Those birch trees are THE BEST! They are so cute and I though you had collected twigs. You can't collect anything that looks like those little trees. Good Job. Mary

Gattina said...

Congratulations ! that looks beautiful ! No wonder that the cats were around the moss must smell good !

Linda Hensley said...

I love it, especially how you did the trees. The kitty picture is too cute too :)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I had to come back when I had time, and the time is now.
I love this post and I want to make this. We do not have any moss fabric, maybe I can use real moss since it grows on everything.
Your birch trees and this whole display is beautiful.
love
tweedles