Trial and Error | Chickens in the Road

Jul
5

Grapevine twisting around a tree on our farm.

My latest endeavor–learning how to make wreaths from wild grapevines. They look so creepy-cool in trees.

:treehugger: When I was a kid, grapevines were for swinging over the river. Now I think–wreaths! I love those grapevine wreaths you get at primitive craft stores for sometimes $50 and more. What the heck, my farm is draped in them. Time to learn to make my own! So I grabbed some pruning shears and took off up the hill…….

I have a lot to learn, though….

First, I took vines that were mostly too thick. I need to get the thinner vines. Instead of being lazy and grabbing what’s handy, I need to get more adventurous and get the ones that are healthier, still growing, and pliable. But, I managed okay. I soaked the vines I gathered in a wash tub to soften them up, shaped them, and fastened them with floral wire. I used fresh greenery at hand, including some apple tree branches complete with fruit, along with some flowers, to decorate it–just for practice since dried decor would last longer. I need to work on my drying techniques, too, but for now, this was my fledgling effort. And it was fun!

Tried anything new lately?

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16 Responses
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7-5
5:55
am

I think you did a pretty good job with the wreath Suzanne. If you had a crafts store I would buy one off you. I love those places too but like you said, sometimes it hurts your wallet to go into those places, especially when you say to yourself, “you know what, I could probably make that myself for next to nothing”. Hope everyone had a happy 4th.

LeAnne

:purr:

leanne

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7-5
6:48
am

I think you did a great job, too!

Beats me how you find the time to try, with writing deadlines, children and fur kids. I’m impressed!

-Kim, who has the time but does not have the patience for crafting :-D

Kim

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7-5
6:57
am

LeAnne is so right in her comment. I go into those places, see the prices, and think “I could make that for next to nothing!

kacey

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7-5
7:16
am

I’ve never been very good at artsy-craftsy things, so hats off to the people who can! :friday:

Michelle Willingham

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7-5
9:06
am

The wreath looks great.

Crystal B.

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7-5
9:26
am

Suzanne, you did great! :thumbsup: Living in a rural area many of the older people love to teach the younger ones to use the things around us in crafts. :purr:

Susan

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7-5
9:32
am

i think it’s pretty! And I see you’re reading Twelve Sharp … I just started Lean Mean Thirteen and that was a mistake because now I don’t want to write, I just want to read.

Jill

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7-5
10:27
am

You did a great job, Suzanne! It sure looks professional to me.

Tori Lennox

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7-5
10:29
am

You have floral wire sitting around the house?

Alice Audrey

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7-5
11:55
am

Those vines are definitely creepy-cool. :cool: I love the wreath too – you did a really nice job. Since I’m not crafty, I would probably pay those exhorbatant prices to buy one instead.

Ellen

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7-5
5:24
pm

Those are very nice! Mine would look like grape-vine craziness!

ericka Scott

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7-5
5:37
pm

It looks good….

Dru

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7-5
5:50
pm

You did a great job! I try to be crafty and then lose interest.

Brandy

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7-6
12:45
am

How cool! I wish I was crafty enough for that.

Hey! You should give those away as your next contest prize. (psst… pick me!)

Danica/Dream

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7-6
10:39
am

WOW that was cool! I’ve been reading on how to make wine…need to for research for my Deadly Gifts ms but I’m finding I can’t wait to actually try it myself!

Cole

Nicole Reising

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7-6
11:17
am

That’s beautiful! And no, I haven’t tried anything new lately…guess I should!

Marty

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