Adventures with a hot glue gun, or channeling my mom through wreathmaking: Part 1

My mom died five years ago. Yeah, I know, great way to start a post, right? But her influence is great in my life and when I'm doing this particular craft, I feel especially close to her.  She did tend to use less skulls though.

In the 1980s when wreaths and sun hats covered in flowers and ribbons were all of rage, my mom had a small side business making them. It is the only time that I remember her letting her creative side out and she made beautiful pieces. She had a natural sense of composition.

My Mom and I - 1983

Even though wreaths or those crazy sun hats are no longer in fashion in one's living room, I still make wreaths to hang on our door for all the holidays.  It is a time of meditation for me and we get some pretty cool wreaths to hang on the door or to give as gifts.  I call it hot glue gun therapy. My mom was a queen of the hot glue gun. I, on the other hand, cannot make it through a project without severely burning myself at least three times. The end product is usually good though and the process cathartic. And one day I will be teaching my daughters how to burn themselves while making crafts and floral displays.

I made two Halloween wreaths this year that I'm excited to share with you!

Both of these wreaths were made with flowers and ephemera purchased at a Michael's Store. I used black spray paint to darken the vines on the grapevine wreaths, as well as to add low lights on the under side of the flowers.  Red spray paint was then used to turn two roses, one lavender and one dark purple, red.  I then sprayed a bunch of red paint on my hand (I highly recommend using a rubber glove for this - wish I would have thought of it then!) and proceeded to let it drip on the flowers and leaves.  Then I shook my hand over the leaves to get a more splatter effect.  Did I mention that you should not do this in good clothes?  Yeah, definitely want to be in something that you don't care if you get paint or glue on it.

Once everything was dry, it was a matter of playing with the placement of everything for the most visual appeal and then hot gluing the living crap out of it.  Glue it everywhere!  Especially it you want your wreath to withstand many years to come.

Did you make any of your Halloween decorations?  If so, what?  Tell me about it.  Maybe I'll try some of your ideas next year.

Did you blog about it?  Leave a link in the comments.  I'd love to check it out!