How to Make a Woodland Tombstone Halloween Wreath

We love the woodland mushroom decor trend. If you do too, try this wreath that combines this new boho trend with Halloween. To make it easy, use peel-and-stick moss for the base then you’re free to get creative molding velvet-topped mushrooms and carving tiny tombstones.

1. Pad the Wreath Form

This wreath starts with a 14-inch foam base. To give it a fuller, more organic shape, pad the form by wrapping it with plastic grocery bags. Use 2-inch floral pins to secure each bag in place. You’ll need about 10 bags to completely cover the 14-inch form.

2. Wrap in Moss

Cover the entire form with moss. While you can use any combination of moss and glue, the easiest and fastest method is to use peel-and-stick moss sheets. Cut a strip of moss about 3 inches wide and long enough to wrap fully around the wreath. Remove the backing and press the moss directly onto the form, making sure to line up the edges. As you work around, cut smaller pieces to fill in any gaps. Don’t worry about visible seams; you’ll cover those in the final step with filler moss.

3. Create a Landscape

Cut a piece of dry floral foam to fit in the center of the wreath. Use a knife to shave the top and sides, rounding the edges until it resembles a rolling hill. Once shaped, glue the foam securely into the center, then cover it with moss for a seamless look. Next, create ledges for the mushrooms by cutting small pieces of floral foam and gluing them to the inner edges of the wreath, directly opposite the hill. Cover these foam pieces with moss as well.

4. Form Mushroom Stems

Sculpt mushroom stems from air-dry clay. Roll a small piece of clay into a worm shape about 1/4-inch in diameter by 1-2 inches long. Flatten one end to form the base. Allow the clay to dry according to the package instructions. Once the stems are firm, paint them with a mix of light brown and white craft paint.

5. Make Mushroom Tops

The tops of the mushrooms will also begin with air-dry clay. Roll a piece of clay into a ball. Press your thumb into the ball and shape the clay into a tiny bowl. Create various shapes by making some caps wide and shallow, while others are tall and skinny. Allow the caps to dry according to the package instructions. Once they hold their shape, cover each cap with stretch velvet. Lay the cap on a piece of velvet and cut a circle about an inch larger than the cap. Wrap the velvet around the edges and glue it to the underside of the cap, trimming any excess fabric. Finally, glue the stem to the underside of each cap. For your wreath, make five or six mushrooms.

6. Craft Tombstones

Using a sharp knife, cut a small piece of dry floral foam into a rectangle about 1/4-inch deep and 2-3 inches tall. Cut the foam into a classic tombstone shape. Using a pen or pencil with a sharp point, carve a simple design onto the surface of the tombstone. Paint the foam with a mixture of gray and white paint. Using black paint and a small brush, fill in the carved designs, repeating as necessary to achieve the desired effect. Make five or six unique tombstones for your wreath.

7. Assemble the Wreath

Use a hot glue gun to attach the mushrooms and tombstones to the wreath. Underneath each mushroom, add a small piece of wood or lichen to create a ledge. Tuck various types of moss around the tombstones and mushrooms, securing them with hot glue. This extra moss will also help conceal any visible seams or edges of foam and moss for a polished finish.

8. Hang It

A piece of wire secured with two floral pins makes for an easy wreath hanger. You’ve done it! You’ve created a chic, woodsy wreath that is sure to add a little magic to your home for Halloween.