today i have
a Vintage Christmas Wreath DIY
that you can make.. it could stay up year round, for that matter
{ i promise, this is an easy and quick craft once you have everything ready to go }
when i saw this over at Thistlewood Farms,
i couldn’t wait to make my own
Vintage Christmas Wreath DIY
from pale burnished gold frames, some ornate, others plain..
to celebrate events from 2011
{ graduation, lake fun, birthdays }
the original Thistlewood wreath had several frames
because theirs were much tinier than mine
..i couldn’t locate frames that small
it’s a nice change from those large memory frames
and i think the possibilities are endless
plus it could be a great Christmas gift for family or friends
maybe next year i’ll make one with shiny silver jewel-box frames
with a turquoise bow..
♥
Materials
(all materials were purchased at Michael’s Craft Store)
1 grapevine wreath, any size (mine was 18″)
13-14 4×5″ width silver or gold photo frames
(photos inside will be 2×3″)
13-14 black and white photographs
(photo paper, if printing yourself)
3″ wide burlap, wired if possible
Green 22 Gauge Floral Wire (I bought the value pack)
Wreath door hanger
Directions
Michael’s had sold out of the “tight” grapevine wreath. I had to buy an 18″ wreath that fanned like a pin wheel. Using the green gauge wire, hold the loose ends flat, wrap a 4″ piece of wire around in various spots, twist it, then press the wire flat. Do this all the way around the wreath so that you have a finished, tightly wrapped grapevine wreath. If you can find a regular 18″ grapevine wreath, you can skip this step. (*You could do any size of wreath you wish, you’d just have to buy extra frames and print more photos.)
Place 4×5″ photo paper in your printer. Using Picmonkey software change each photo to black and white and then print it onto the photo paper. (This step was much easier than I thought. Just remember to change the print options to the 4×5 photo paper before printing.) Remember you will be cutting these photos to 2×3″ for your frames, so you will be selecting only a portion of your photograph to display. I found photos that were not too “close up” worked best.
Turn over your frames. Cut out and insert each of the photos you have printed.
On the back is the “easel” portion. If you are gentle (I managed to rip one right off), the cardboard “stand” will tear off with a twisting motion, leaving one or two holes for the floral wire. Each frame is different, some have a small pin to push out. If you’re lucky enough to find Christmas tree frames, they won’t have this “easel stand” on the back at all.
Lay the frames in the order you wish around your wreath, sorting out where each type of frame or photo will go and how far apart they need to be so that you can see enough of each photo and face.
Beginning at the top on one side, loop a good 12″ piece of gauge wire through the back of the photo, then simply wrap around each side of the wreath and twist tightly only once or twice to hold it in place. Don’t finish off the ends or over-tighten, so that you can move and adjust the photos after you are finished if needed. I alternated with one picture over top of the two frames on either side.
When you like the arrangement of frames, turn the wreath over. Finish twisting the green floral wire so that it is tight, then trim the ends and press flat so it won’t scratch your door’s surface once it is hung.
Make a large burlap bow by overlapping twice. Twist the bow in the center with a piece of floral wire and then wrap to cover the wire with burlap. Leave ends to hang as desired.
Hang up on your wreath hanger and gently manipulate the frames again, so that faces aren’t covered and angles angels are pleasing to the eye.
♥
“Can one desire too much of a good thing?”
{ As You Like It, W. Shakespeare }
“And wilt thou not have one?”
“Ay, and I shalt have twenty such, on Fridays and Saturdays, and all..”
{ I Hope You Like It, J.A. Smidgen }
So the wee oatmeal cookies were made less sweet,
for when Biscoff and cookies are wed,
too much sugar is never a good thing.
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3 cups Oatmeal (instant or quick, uncooked)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- flaky sea salt
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream together the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then add 1/4 cup water and vanilla and blend to mix.
- Combine the 3 cups oatmeal, the flour, and baking powder together. Add these dry ingredients to the butter mixture and blend well.
- Drop by small teaspoons ( I used my small scoop and broke them in half ), roll then pat to flatten each cookie before baking.
- Bake for about 12-14 minutes or until just lightly golden on the sides of the cookie.
- Move to a wire rack and cool completely. To assembly, spread the desired amount of Biscoff on the bottom of one cookie and push another cookie on top to make the sandwich.
“Now tell me how long you would have them, after you have possess’d them..”
“Forever and a day!”
*Biscoff is a spread (consistency similar to peanut butter) that has a lovely fragrant taste of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. It is a recent product discovered when Delta airlines Speculoos Cookies were ground up and made into a spread. You can find jars of smooth or crunchy. I haven’t found any in Calgary yet.. but ordered online through Abe’s Gourmet on Ebay and it arrived at my door within 2-3 days.
Cute wreath! I met KeriAnne from Thistlewood Farm a couple of weeks ago in New York at the Country Living blogger awards. You and she have a lot of energy!
You’re so lucky to have gone to those awards.. your blogs are in a league all their own!! Congratulations again!! xx
How lovely is that, Smidge (not a question, but an exclamation) ! Great ideas both! Especially like the memory wreath – Such a welcome change from the frames holding multiple photos that we tend not to look at much once they’re done. Already, you’ve set my mind to wandering! xx (And today’s the big day! So anxious to hear the good news coming from you!)
Thanks sweetie.. I’m not certain when we’ll hear?? I think they can still submit votes today. As always, I’ve already won knowing you:) ps will write soon!! xx
That wreath is quite lovely! And I already have a bunch of little frames I used as Place Cards for a family dinner quite a few years ago (I put photos of each person as a child in the frame). I have to taste this biscoffie.
That’s a great idea.. especially that they’re children.. I’m going to try that this year since it’s my family’s turn, it will be easy to do!
Brilliant idea for a wreath.
This post breaths in the Christmas spirit right into ones soul! <3
Haha that is only one of the cutest ideas ever my friend 😀
Loved it! They look delicious!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a lovely idea the memory wreath is and yours looks gorgeous – it’s so easy to forget all the nice things that happened over the course of the year and this is a great way of keeping those memories alive. I like the sound of the biscotti – especially as there is oatmeal in the mix which I always feels magically makes sweet things healthy!
What a great idea!!!
Fantastic idea – awnd stunning photos in those frames! And scrummy biscotti too 🙂
Smidge your wreath is the most beautiful I have ever seen – I just adore the idea!
🙂 Mandy xo
Beautiful wreath – and just look at those cookies!
Your wreath is just gorgeous and what a clever idea. I love the look of these cookies and they look extra special in that stunning Christmas box xx
How great! What a lovely idea.
What a Beautiful Wreath – oh so creative – love it! Have a Great One:)
Such a lovely idea. I’m often thinking of crafty type gifts for my friends who pretty much (have it all) and I love how personalized this is. Truly brilliant so thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ps those biccies look delish and I love the festive snowflake overlay on your pic too!
I too love the wreath, such a clever idea. Never heard of Biscoff, will look when next I go food shopping.
Great idea for a wreath and I like the beige colors. It is nice to have all the people dear to your heart all on one little circle. I am sure they will all be at your house soon gobbling up all of your delicious cookies. enjoy the holidays. BAM
I love the wreath idea! And when I look at it, I can actually see it being used year round because of the neutral colors you chose — beautiful and classic for any decor!
I haven’t even started thinking about Christmas Smidge 🙂
Another winner, Barbara! I love the wreath. I already have someone in mind, so thank you for the idea as a gift! Then maybe I can make one for myself later. These yummy bites are heavenly. I have some work to do this week, I see! oxo
Such a gorgeous wreath! I’m so jealous of Biscoff. It sounds like something I would love but it’s nowhere to be found here in Aus.
What a great idea for a wreath, Barb! So many different photo collections could be used and to good effect. A thoughtfully prepared wreath like this would make a great gift.
Speaking of gifts, a tin of these oatmeal biscoffie bites (great name!) would be happily welcomed around here. I may not be familiar with Biscoff but i know a good oatmeal cookie recipe when I see one.
This really was a creative and enjoyable post, Barb.
Barbara, what a gorgeous post: with an original wreath and a cookie recipe to die for….just lovely post. Off to share.
Love the wreath!! And the biscoffie bites look perfect!!
Very clever wreath and I could use some of those cookies to go with my coffee! Well done!
Such a pretty wreath, and as you say endless possibilities !
That wreath is gorgeous! I love the bigger frames you used, it turned out amazingly! These bites also look divine!!
I’m so grateful for the information on the wreath. I have a wonderful friend in Washington, D.C. who’s birthday happens to be the same day as Christmas and I’m always looking for something new and fresh to send her that day. This is perfect, and will look great with photos from our days together in Chicago. It’s a perfect idea, Smidge! Thank you!
I wonder if I can ship some of the Biscoffie bites her way too? Except that I’ve never seen or heard of Biscoff until you told us about it. Those look so good!
These look like fantastic Bites!
Love both of these just lovely:) will have to translate some of the wreath materials into uk talk though but get the idea – always looking for photo ideas. Thank you.
Barb, such a lovely idea! The wreath is simply divine, and very meaningful.. xx
Christmas is such a great time to get crafty! I wish more holidays called for more decorations so there would always be an excuse to pick up things at the craft store 🙂
I love your idea of wreath, nice one
My grocer just started carrying Biscoff and I bought a jar. This sounds like a great way to try it.
Your wreath is absolutely beautiful Smidge! I wish you could come make over my house. You have such a peaceful and beautiful touch. I like the idea of using pictures from the past year – it’s a great idea for celebrating the coming New Year!
You’re not just a pretty face, young lady! Very cool festive creation!
I love the picture wreath, Barbara! I think I would like yours better than the one you first looked at. I think it would be too busy with too many photos. Yours is perfect. I’m definitely going to be making one of these next year.
Cookies look yummy! 🙂 ~ April
Love the wreath idea! And I love the recipes.
You are busier than me and haven’t been back to comment! I was gone on a girl’s weekend and am still digging out!
I have never made a wreath yet but I see them everywhere on all the crafty bloggers sites and yours looks lovely! And congratulations on your double win! xx
The wreath is such a great idea Smidge not to mention beautiful. It’s has that wonderful nostalgia and serenity that imbues your blog generally. I prefer low sugar too – your bites sound perfect!
That’s such a nice idea for a wreath – a wreath for modern times 🙂 Lovely little bites too – I love the photo with the snow flakes underneath 🙂
What a lovely idea … with the wreath !!! So beautiful !!!!
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