Spring Wreaths

Not all wreaths have to be round--use your imagination. Rebecca shows how to make one that has a very nice wild look using a lot of materials that might be growing in your own backyard.

To start, you need a foundation. Stop by a craft store and pick up a simple wreath, some wire, Spanish moss and pots. You'll also need plants, of course. Also get a little bit of ribbon and twigs, such as pussy willow and red-twig dogwood.

Cut the twigs to a length of about six to eight inches. Bundle the twigs and plants together and attach them to the wreath with the wire. Continue adding the rest of the bundles, overlapping them as you go and covering up the wreath.

Next, create the vertical element with the pussy willow. Bundle it together, attach with wire at the top and simply braid the branches. Once you're done braiding, use some wire to secure it. Simply place the braid in the center of the wreath and wire it into place. Fill in around the edges with bits and pieces of the dogwood and pussy willow for a nice wild effect.

Once you're done nipping and tucking, it's time to add the flowers. Paint a plain terra-cotta pot and plant a flower (real or silk) in the pot. Add a little Spanish moss around the base of the plant. Secure the pot in the center of the wreath. Finally, tie a ribbon around the top of the wreath for hanging.

These wreaths are a great invitation on any door, and the best part is that you can change out the flowers as the seasons change. In the heat of summer, for instance, you can take out the pansies and replace them with something like impatiens, lobelia or even alyssum.

This next project is as easy a digging through your recycling bin. Find two aluminum cans and drill holes in the bottom and two holes on the sides. Place a plant inside each can, and attach some wire through the side holes for a handle. Then, once again, take a bundle of sticks. Attach them with wire to make a little hanger. Then, once the cans are planted, hang them on the wire. There you have it--a recycled, reusable swag.

Hanging cones

If you want something that's a little dressier with a vertical appeal, here's another simple idea. Bundle some sticks and fasten with wire. Pick up an empty cardboard cone at a craft store and glue some moss on the outside. Add potting soil to the cone and plant the flowers of your choice; then attach the cone to the bundle of sticks, and add some ribbon. Pansies are a great choice for spring; switch to a warm-weather plant like impatiens or alyssum later in the season.