diy projects Archives - Darling Darleen

Valentine Gift Box Ideas

Put together these items to make a Galentine Gift box for your best girlfriends for Valentine’s Day

Everyone loves fun, unexpected gifts and surprises, especially when it comes to close friends. Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to show love to your besties! This Valentine Gift box idea is such a fun one because it is inexpensive and filled with random, but fun and silly knick knacks. Of course you need to throw in gorgeous cut flowers and cinnamon candy and even chocolates. But the rest of the items that I like to fill the Valentine gift box idea are items that I usually find in the under five section of Target or the travel-size beauty section.

The Valentine Gift box idea will sure bring a smile on anyone’s face. You can tailor the gift box to guy or a child depending on what you fill it with. But I like to make sure there is always something sweet to eat, something fun to read, flowers, beauty or hygiene and then the rest random knick knacks. I try and keep the Valentine gift box idea under $20, but of course price is up to you. But keep it within a box size is what is the most important and makes it fun to throw together.

Everything I put in this Valentine Gift Box came from Target. The crate box is from Michaels. I always like to put a paper shred filler in the box. The box all together is about $25.

I love filling Valentine gift box ideas with fun silly items. They always put a smile on the face! Here are some fun random Valentine items to throw in your next Valentine gift box.

8 Rules for Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall

How to Hang the Perfect Gallery Wall following these 8 must-have rules!

8 Rules for Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall

I’ve got gallery walls on my mind. Since our recent move, we have no pictures on our walls in our new house instead they are in piles up in our attic. I am eager to see my old friends again! I do want to switch things around though with how I place the pictures on my wall. One thing is for certain is that we don’t have a lot of blank wall space, so I really need to get creative to get all of my artwork on the wall. In our old house we had a number of good gallery walls around the house that always stopped people to stop and enjoy the artwork of pictures. Here are my 10 rules for creating the perfect gallery wall:

8 Rules for Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall

Find the Perfect Blank Spot–The larger the wall space the better when creating the perfect gallery wall. Common spots are in a hallway, above a sofa or bed, above a dining room credenza, along the staircase. I have even done a small, narrow gallery wall in a corner section of a room with smaller framed pictures.
Measure your space–make sure to leave blank wall space around your perfect gallery wall. You want it to look clean and organized and not cluttered and forced.
Choose the Right Wall Layout--There are so many wall layout choices. You really have to consider what kind of framed pictures you have, the style you want to go with and again the size of your wall space. Consider also the design of your room and how the collection will add to it. Some gallery wall ideas are square block frames hanging in a grid, picture frames on a shelf, mix and match frames, or the tetris style similar to the gallery wall above. I also mixed and match the frames.
Gather your collection–Figure out what you want to showcase on in your gallery wall. You can make it a wall of all black and white framed pictures or go more eclectic and display keepsakes, prints, mementos, etc. One thing to remember is if you have similar frame pictures then go with a wall layout that is more symmetry. If you have random items than mix up the wall layout with an off-centered, collage style layout.
Share your Personality–I think every gallery wall needs to share something about you and the people who live in the home. Whether it is family pictures, a picture you drew, a childhood keepsake or your grandma’s painting, a gallery wall should display a little bit of personality and share a story. That’s what makes gallery walls so wonderful to have in the home.
Layout your framed pictures on the ground–Before you start hammering away, layout your gallery wall style on the ground to make sure the space and style would work. Take a picture of it for reference and measure the distance to compare to your wall space.
Trace, Cut and Hammer–Before hanging, trace each frame onto newspaper or butcher paper to make a paper mock-up. Cut it out and then play around with the paper mock-up taped to the wall. If you are doing a grid-style, measure the distance between the cut-outs. If you are doing a collage style, hang your biggest and largest cut-out pieces first then work the smaller pieces around them, copying your layout from the pictures on the ground. After, hammer your picture nails right over the cut outs, making sure to measure the distance from the edge to the center of where the picture will hang.
Enjoy and Share–sit back and relax and enjoy your gallery picture walls

Here are some gallery picture walls that can been feature on the site:

Some places to shop for cool pictures for a Gallery wall:

Minted–curated artist paintings
Framebridge–to frame your pictures
Etsy–budget-friendly pictures and paintings
Wayfair–variety of prints and styles
Artifact Uprising–framing prints
Society6–modern art prints

Milk Bath Recipe for Dry Skin

This Milk Bath recipe for Dry Skin is made with goats milk, which will leave your skin feeling so soft and smooth.

This winter has been brutal to my skin. The wind is blowing and the temperatures have dropped to single digits. Dry itchy, chafing skin has arrived on my legs and hands. I’ve been lathering up the lotion but it seems to only relief the pain for a bit. My arms have dry spots. Even my face has dry patches! Time to really focus on healing my skin during the winter months. After living in the South for seven years, I forgot how cold the Northeast can be! I pulled out all of my favorite winter must-haves, but my skin needs more attention and something to bring in moisture. Then I remembered my milk bath recipe for dry skin that I used to take every week during the winter months when we lived in Connecticut prior to our move to the Georgia. I would even draw up a bath for my babies to take a milk bath just to keep their baby skin soft and smooth.

What I love about this milk bath recipe for dry skin is that the primary ingredient is goat’s milk, not cow’s milk. I like to use powdered goat’s milk because usually I make a large batch and store it in a jar for longer shelf life and of course multiple milk baths. You can get powdered goat’s milk at any health store or through the link. Goat’s milk has wonderful benefits for the skin. Goat’s milk has a high content of alpha-hydroxy and lactic acid, which helps break down dry skin and brings new cells to the surface. It also has a high fat molecule content making it extremely moisturizing. In addition, it is packed with Vitamin C, D and E which all aids to making your skin younger and fresher.

The other thing I like about this recipe is that it has coconut oil and I did a whole post on the benefits of coconut oil and how wonderful it is for your skin. Also for added scent for also skin benefits, you use Lavender essential oil or Ylang Ylang essential oil. Lavender essential oil is great for the skin because it is antibacterial and can kill bacteria that penetrates the pores. I like to put Ylang Ylang essential oil in it also because it balances the emotions, which is great for relaxing during a hot milk bath.

Milk Bath Recipe for Dry Skin

1 cup powdered goat’s milk
1 cup epson salt
1/2 cup baking soda
4 tablespoons unfiltered, raw extra virgin coconut oil
Lavender Essential oil (few drops)
Ylang Ylang essential oil (optional)
Lavender buds (optional)

**Add fresh roses and flowers and make your milk bath for two this Valentine’s Days!**

Pour all of the ingredients in a jar that can seal. Store the the milk bath recipe for dry skin in a cool, dry cabinet along with your other bath products. This milk bath recipe for dry skin is great for a bath for two. Enjoy it this Valentine’s Day and make sure to add fresh cut roses and flowers to make it romantic!

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Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

How to make Outdoor Winter Planters with these step-by-step tutorial from Darling Darleen — outdoor winter birch planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters seem to be available everywhere here in the Northeast, and are a traditional style of front porch decoration. You don’t see this style of winter planters in the South, so I was excited to make up these outdoor winter birch planters from the clippings of my Christmas tree. Birch branches are difficult to find in the South, but they are available at most stores in the North and priced well. These outdoor winter birch planters are easy to make and add a gorgeous statement to your winter outdoor decorating!

Supplies for making an Outdoor Winter Birch planters can be clippings from your Christmas tree, clippings from evergreen plants in your yard or greenery branches from your local flower shop. Like I said, these planters are very popular in the Northeast mostly because the many of the greenery can be found right in your backyard. But if you don’t leave in the Northeast, all of these clippings can be at your local flower shop.

Supplies:

Urn or large planter (filled with dirt)

Birch branches (cut down with varying heights)

Fir clippings

White Pine clippings

Seeded Eucalyptus

Juniper spray with berries

Boxwood Evergreen (could be found in your yard)

Curly branches

Pine cones (get the scented one for a new welcoming scent to your guests)

I picked up a couple of tiny fir trees for my other urns, but if you can’t find birch branches, then fir trees can be used as your center for the outdoor winter planters or anything that creates height.

Take three birch branches that are varying heights and poke them in the center of the pot, pushing them down into the soil.

Take your fir branch clipping and stick them around the birch branches. Place your juniper berry clipping on top of the fir.

Easy to Make Outdoor Winter Planters with these step-by-step tutorial from Darling Darleen

Seeded eucalyptus branches are floppy, and great to fill in under the fir branches that have open spots. They also are a different color of green and add a good variation of the planters and bring out the tiny blue berries on the juniper branches.

Take the boxwood clippings and continue to fill in empty spaces to make your outdoor winter planter full.

Finish it off with your curly branches placed in the middle of the planter. Then take your scented pine cones and scatter a few around the branches of your planters.

How to make Outdoor Winter Birch Planters with clippings from your tree via Darling Darleen

Enjoy your holiday porch with your new outdoor winter birch planters!

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Heart Shape Flower Box

DIY Heart-Shape Flower Box

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you know roses are the way to a girl’s heart and a sign of love and friendship. I’m such a sucker for flowers and always love receiving and giving them! So I was looking for something extra special to make to give to my love ones for Valentine’s Day. This DIY heart-shape flower box is just the one that I know my girls will love or even a friend who needs a little cheering up over the love holiday. If you are planning a Galentine’s breakfast or even just a romantic evening with your lover, these heart-shape flower box would also make a perfect centerpiece. So many fun ideas.

Supplies:

Heart Shape Box or Paper Mache box (spray paint for desired color)

floral wet foam

wax paper

fresh flowers

scissors

knife

Take your foam block, using your knife cut it about 1.5″ thick. Then use the bottom of the heart box to cut the foam in the shape of the heart. I had to use two 1.5″ foam blocks to get the entire shape of the heart. Don’t worry if it is not perfect. You just need a general heart shape.

2. Put your foam blocks in water and let it soak for a bit. While it is soaking, take wax paper and cut the width of the box. Gradually push it down to fully cover the bottom and the sides of the heart shape box, while making sure the paper doesn’t tear or rip. You may have some extra paper hanging over the sides. I just cut the paper with scissors around the shape.

3. Gently place the wet floral foam blocks in the heart-shape box, making sure the bottom is fully covered. You can add additional water in the box at this time.

4. Next is the fun part, adding the flowers. Simply trim and push the stems in the wet foam block. Start on the edge and work your way to the middle of the box. My boxes used about 10 stem roses. If you’d like put the top on the box, then make sure to cut the stems short so the flower heads are below the top of the box. I kept my longer because I am using them more for display and wanted the flower heads peeking out. If you are planning to give them away, add a ribbon around the box and flowers!

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How to Make a Maypole

How To Make a Maypole

May Day is just around the corner (May 1st), and is a traditional Spring holiday in many European countries in celebration of Spring through dance. Learn how to make a Maypole for your May Day festivities. Usually we go around on May Day and hang a bouquet of flowers on neighbors’ door knobs. And this year, I thought it would be fun to dance around a maypole! The maypole dance is not just for May Day. It can be celebrated all throughout spring and into summer. How fun would it be to have a maypole at a Mother’s Day tea party or a summer picnic or a little girl’s garden birthday party? Children (or mamas) can dance around the pole, braiding the ribbon by going under each other, over each other or cross each other’s path. I will show you an easy way on how to make a maypole that will last for many summer parties to come.

Supplies for How to Make a Maypole

Two wooden dowels-1 1/4″ x 72 ”

Drill

Afloral assorted silk flowers–the flowers I used were mini silk ranunculus bush, magnolia silk bush in blush, waxflower spray in white and mauve pin and 25″ ranunculus spray pink

1 x dowel screw

Round wooden rosette with blunt screw

12 rolls of assortment of silk ribbon 1″

staple gun

wood glue

hot glue

hand saw

Instructions for How to Make a Maypole

1. Take your wooden dowels and drill a hole, slightly less than the diameter of your dowel screw, through the center of the top of the dowel on one side of each wooden dowel.

2. Squeeze wooden glue in one of the drilled holes. Then take the dowel screw and screw it in the dowel all the way. Let it dry for a few hours so the screw will be firm in the dowel, preferably 24 hours. When you assemble to poles, you will screw the dowel with the screw into the other drilled hole on the other dowel. Once assembled, the pole will be about 12 feet tall. This will make it easy to transport the maypole and take your maypole dancing to the park, friend’s backyard or any open grassy area.

3. Take the other wooden dowel that does not have the dowel screw in it. The opposite end of the drilled hole, use your saw to shave down the edges to make it have a point or a V-shape so it will be easy to hammer the pole into the ground.

3. Now take the other wooden dowel that does have the dowel screw in it and drill another hole on the opposite side. Put wood glue in it and screw in the round wooden rosette with the blunt screw in the dowel. Let it dry.

4. If you’d like, you can spray paint your maypole. Or keep it natural.

5. Take your ribbon and staple gun and staple one end of each ribbon at the top of the round wooden rosette. Unravel the ribbons and then gently wrap the ribbon around the pole.

6. Grab your Afloral.com silk flowers and pull the flower buds off the stems. Hot glue the larger flower heads on the top of the round wooden rosette and then the smaller flowers.

7. With any of your leftover silk flowers, make flower crowns for your dancers.

You are just about ready to dance around the maypole! Before you head out, grab a hammer. You will need it to hammer the bottom pole in the ground. Hammer it in a few inches in the ground to make sure it’s secure. Then screw the top dowel into the bottoms dowel. Unravel the ribbons. Each dancer holds onto a ribbon and then dances around the maypole!

Thank you Afloral.com for sponsoring this post!

Styled Photography: Melissa Udall Photography

Thank you to these cute mamas and their babies for helping out on How to Make a Maypole post–Melissa Erickson, Candice Munk, Lizzy Nielsen

Round Leather Bag Tutorial

DIY Round Leather Bag Tutorial

A recent obsession and current trend is the round leather bag clutch. It’s a modern take on the classic bag styles you would see in the 1960s. Retro vibe but it still has a simple look, the round leather bag is a fun accessory to incorporate in your summer style. Another trend is the metal round handle. I’ve been seeing many European bag with that style and it will definitely be making it’s way to the States. With all these new trends, I thought it would be a good idea to do a round leather bag tutorial that is easy and simple for a novice, which I am in the leather-making category. This round leather bag tutorial is also a quick tutorial and took me about 30 minutes to make. So if you are in the need of a new going-out bag that is budget friendly, this is the one for you!

Supplies for Round Leather Bag Tutorial

a plate or something that is round

pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Sewing Machine

Instructions for Round Leather Bag Tutorial

Roll out your leather and fold in half, putting the wrong-sides together. Place a large plate face-side down on the leather. Use it as a template to draw a circle. Then cut out the circle. You should have two circles.
Place a ruler on the upper side of the circle about two inches down from the top. With a pencil, lightly mark a line on each side and mark the middle of the ruler. The move the ruler up a little, centering the ruler on the mark lines, then do mark another line all the way across on the bag.
Pull out your sewing machine and set it up to be able to sew on leather. Make sure you have upholestrey thread. Sew the two circles together starting and ending at the short lines marked from the ruler.
Cut out two squares in the leather that are about 2.5 inches in width and height
Take your leather hole puncher and punch where you marked the center of the bag. Then using your scissors, cut where you marked the line all the way across. That will remove the excess leather, and the round circle will now be flat on top.
Take each square and fold. Using the ruler, mark the center just a few centimeters from the edge of the square. Then punch out with the leather puncher.
Grab your rivets. Place the metal ring behind the round sewn leather and take the small square and feed the rivet through and secure with the other side of the square’s hole. Hammer in place so the rivet can’t be separated.
Repeat on the other side, and then enjoy your new bag!

To go along with the round leather bag tutorial, here are some other round leather bag options:

DIY: Spa Kit with Recipes and Printables

DIY Spa Kit with Recipes and Printables

I love homemade bath products, and often throw together a mixture of salts and essential oils before I take a bath or when I am under the weather. So, I’ve been wanted to put together a post for a DIY spa kit with recipes and printables, and the good excuse finally came when my daughter had to donate an item for an auction. I thought this would be perfect since it had to be a donation she made or something she could complete. All the items we used to make the bath products are natural and organic. And if you make your own, I strongly encourage you to get organic and raw items. This is your body so use the best items to put on it! We also threw into our spa kit Uprooted Skincare face masks because they are simply THE best and they use the best organic, natural clay and therapeutic essential oils to make your face shine! The FREE printables are listed at the end of the post with editable labels. The recipes included in our spa kit are for bath bombs, body butter, body scrub and bath salts. My kitchen turned into a spa-making factory over the weekend while my daughter and I had so much fun putting together this DIY spa kit with recipes and printables! This is a fun craft to do with teens.

DIY Spa Kit : Bath Bombs

ALL NATURAL FLORAL BATH BOMBS

4 oz. baking soda

2 oz. citric acid

2 oz. corn starch

2 oz. Epsom salts

1 1/2 tsp of coconut oil

1 1/2 to 2 tsp of water

1 tsp or about 20-30 drops of essential oils

1 to 2 tsp of dried floral

Bath Bomb molds

Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir with a whisk. Place all the liquid into a cup and stir until well mixed. Make sure the coconut oil is melted so it mixes well. Slowly add a little liquid to the dry ingredients while whisking. The mixture should begin to clump together when squished. Be careful not to add too much liquid or it will ruin your bath bomb. Once the wet ingredients are combined with the dry, you should be able to squeeze it together. If it’s too powdery then add a tiny bit of water and mix until it holds and sticks together. Add your dried floral and mix in. I used lavender essential oil with dried lavender. And ylang ylang essential oil with dried rose petals. Then pack your mixture into the molds and press the two sides together. Squeeze the mold to create your sphere and press firmly to prevent it from cracking. Rotate the mold and tap slightly around the mold to remove any excess moisture and to help loosen the mold. Gently remove one side of the mold and allow it to dry out for about 10 minutes. Then gently remove the other side of the mold. Place the bath bomb on wax paper on top of a fluffy towel. Let them dry for about 24 hours before you use them or pack them up.

FLORAL BATH SALTS

1 cup of epsom salts

1 cup of pink Himalayan salt rocks

10-15 drops of essential oils (I used serenity oil blend)

1 tablespoon of coconut oil (warm)

Dried floral and herbs

Optional: Add bentonite clay to the mix for added health benefits!

Mix all your ingredients in a bowl. Make sure the oil is evenly mixed through the salts. Transfer to a glass bottle and seal tightly.

Bath Salts are so easy to make and very therapeutic and beneficial to the bath when taking a bath! Sprinkle under warm running water and soak your body in it for 20 minutes.

ROSE BODY SCRUB

1/2 cup of finely ground pink Himalayan salt

1 tsp of melted coconut oil

1 tsp of Vitamin E oil

4 drops of essential oil (I like serenity oil blend or ylang ylang)

Dried rose petals

Mix these ingredients in a bowl and then transfer to a glass bottle and seal tightly. Or use it immediately and scrub your body with it!

BODY BUTTER

1 cup of organic, raw unfiltered coconut oil (solid, not liquidified)

2 tsp of vitamin E oil

10 drops of lavender essential oil

Add all the items in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixers or handheld mixer and whisk for about 5 minutes until it is light and airy. Spoon the body butter into an airtight glass jar. Apply everywhere! I even use it on my face.

After we made all the items for our DIY spa kit, we packaged it up in pretty glass container and placed them in a wooden crate. I printed up the labels on clear adhesive labels

DOWNLOAD SPA KIT PRINTABLE WITH WORDS

DOWNLOAD SPA KIT PRINTABLE EDITABLE

Hope you enjoyed this DIY spa kit with Recipes and Printables!

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

Lately, I’ve become a little obsessed with copper pipe projects like my recent copper blanket ladder ! Working with copper pipes is actually really fun and the results are clean and modern. I hope to bring you a few more copper pipe DIYs, but today I am showing you have to make a DIY copper clothing rack. This project is so easy and you really only need one tool. Assembling the copper pipes takes just a few minutes. I like this DIY copper clothing rack because it’s pretty enough to have it exposed in a room and could be used for a pop-up shop or coat rack. Looking at places like how to home might be a good way to finding out and learn about DIY projects that could inspire you. My friend gave me some affordable sass clothing that no longer fitted her and it will look great hung up on this rack!! You can dissemble the DIY copper clothing rack when it is not in use and assemble in just a few minutes. All the details and instructions of the DIY copper clothing rack is listed below. Don’t forget to PIN this project! 🙂

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

Cost: $80

Time: about 30 minutes

Results: a furniture-like clothing rack

Supplies: All these supplies can be found at your local hardware store. This project is not the cheapest but cheaper than buying a copper clothing rack online or at a store. Also, if you have a copper pipe cutter than the total price will be less since I had to buy one.

2– 3/4″ x 10 feet copper pipe

1– 1/2″ x 10 feet copper pipe

6–3/4″x3/4″ 90 degree elbows

2–3/4″ copper Tee

4–3/4″x3/4″x1/2″ copper Tee

4–3/4″ end caps

copper pipe cutter

black sharpie

tape measure

E6000 glue (optional, but recommended)

nail polish remover (for cleaning the pipes)

Instructions: Don’t be intimidated to cut copper. It’s SO easy! I actually had my younger son help me out with this project. And he cut the copper! The first thing to do is clean you pipes. You probably have red ink markings on the sides. Take a rag and nail polish remover and just rub it off. Nail polish remover easily takes it off.

Now that you have clean copper pipes, take your 10 foot pipes and measure and mark what you will cut. Here is the breakdown:

Take 1 of the 3/4″ diameter copper pipe and measure and mark 5 feet so basically right in the middle of the pipe. Once it is cut you will get 2 x 5 feet 3/4″ diameter copper pipes. These will be for the sides of the clothing rack.
Next take the 1/2″ diameter 10 foot pipe. Measure and mark 41″ twice. You will need two 41″ 1/2 diameter pipes. These are the ones that run on the bottom of the clothing rack and will hold up your shoes. You will have extra 1/2″ diameter copper pipes left over. Save it for another project!
Then take your other 3/4″ diameter 10 foot copper pipe. First measure 41″ and mark. This will be the bar that goes on the top and holds the clothes. Then measure 8 x 3″ lengths and 4 x 2″ lengths.

Now it’s time to cut! It’s so easy. Take your copper pipe cutter and place over the pipe where the mark is. Tighten the cutter so it is secure. Then rotate the cutter around the pipe clockwise 3 times. Tighten cutter again. Rotates counter clockwise 3 times. Tighten the cutter again. Rotate clockwise 3 times. Tighten. Repeat until the pipe snaps. It’s that easy!

Once you are all done cutting your pipes, this is what you should have! Now you are ready to assemble.

To assemble your DIY copper clothing rack, I would start with the base. I would also take your e6000 and glue these pieces together for a more secure clothing rack. Don’t glue the top sides of the rack; that way you can dissemble the top and the sides for easy storage when it’s not in use.

Your 1/2″ diameter 41″ pipes are the two parts that run on the bottom of the rack where the shoes are placed. Take the copper Tee’s that are 3/4″ x 3/4″x 1/2″ to secure the cross bars. Take your 2″ 3/4 diameter pipes and place them on the one sides of the T. Then place the 3/4″ Tee for the other side and connect the two cross bar together with the secure of 3/4″ Tee. That Tee should be place up and will be where you will place you 5 foot copper pipes. But before you do that, take your 3″ copper pipes and place them on the other side of the Tees and connect your elbows and then finish off the feet with another set of 3″ copper pipes and then your end caps. Make sure all your pipes are secure and pushed in all the way. If you are gluing, let the glue set before you assemble the top.

I’m loving these kate spade fushcia pink heels and bow-tie heels. So fun and festive.

Once all the bottom is assembled of your DIY copper clothing rack, now take your long bar and assemble the sides and the top securing with your last two copper elbows. Grab a helper so the long pipes aren’t hitting you in the head! Add some rubber bottoms to your rack if you have hard wood floors so it doesn’t slide around or scratch the wood. Your copper clothing rack is now ready to be used!

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DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

Fresh Christmas wreaths are my favorite! I try to make two fresh ones every year. So last spring I had my landscaper plant two magnolia trees in my backyard since we live in the south. Every southern home should have their own magnolia tree, right? Our house definitely needed one. But really the main reasons why was so I can make magnolia wreaths and garland during Christmas. A mature magnolia tree is huge, so we ended up planting two miniature magnolia trees because we didn’t have the yard space. Since the miniatures don’t get as big, they also don’t have as large of leaves. Our magnolia trees are still babies, so I didn’t have enough leaves for full magnolia wreath. Instead, I decided to DIY fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath, using clippings from my Christmas tree and my front yard boxwoods. If you have evergreen plants in your yard, they do great with mixing in with a wreath. Also, get thrifty and use your Christmas tree clippings by making either a wreath, garland, swag or put some in a vase for a simple centerpiece.

DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath Supplies

Magnolia leaves

Fir or Cedar clippings

Boxwood or Eucalyptus clippings

floral shears

floral wire

wreath wire

There’s not a lot of supplies to make a magnolia mixed branch wreath. I reuse my wreath wire every year. Make sure you have a good pair of floral shears, so its easy to cut branches off the tree.

Magnolia leaves have such an elegant, classy appeal with their contrasting sides. It’s no wonder that store-bought magnolia wreaths are quite expensive. If you live in an area with magnolia trees, most floral nurseries have magnolia leaves in the bundles. As you can see one stem has quite a few leaves so you can really use one branch and then wire the bundle to the wreath.

Take about 3 to 4 branches of your Christmas tree clippings. Trim so they all the same height. Cut a long piece of wire and wrap tightly around the base of the clippings leaving about 2 inches of wire on both sides.
Place the tree branches on the cross wire of the wreath wire and then wrap the floral wire tightly around the thick cross wire. Secure.
Then take one magnolia branch and place a few boxwood stems behind it, then tightly wrap the base with floral wire leaving about 2 inches of wire on both sides. Place slightly offset of the tree branches then secure to the wreath with wire.
Repeat with the tree branches and then the magnolia and boxwood leaves, placing offset a few inches down the wreath.
Continue to make mixed branch sets and work around the wreath until it is completed, placing one set from the other. I worked the wreath counter-clockwise.
Once the wreath is completed, take floral wire and wire wrap all the branches together to the wreath about every 3 inches until you complete the circle. This will make the branches more secured and from flopping around.

Then enjoy your DIY fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath. Add a bow or long ribbon to the wreath to complete the look.

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Here’s are other DIY wreaths:

Mini Wreaths

Evergreen Wreath

Stylish Pet Beds from La-Z-Boy

10 Back-to-School Tips

Summer Solstice Dinner Party

My Home Buying Process

Summer Travel With Brita Filtering Bottle

Valentine Gift Box Ideas

Put together these items to make a Galentine Gift box for your best girlfriends for Valentine’s Day

8 Rules for Creating the Perfect Gallery Wall

How to Hang the Perfect Gallery Wall following these 8 must-have rules!

Milk Bath Recipe for Dry Skin

This Milk Bath recipe for Dry Skin is made with goats milk, which will leave your skin feeling so soft and smooth.

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Outdoor Winter Birch Planters

Heart Shape Flower Box

How to Make a Maypole

Round Leather Bag Tutorial

DIY: Spa Kit with Recipes and Printables

DIY Copper Clothing Rack

I’m loving these kate spade fushcia pink heels and bow-tie heels. So fun and festive.

DIY Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

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