How to Make a Cotton Stem Spring Wreath
I love a DIY project with a story. Let me show you how to make a cotton stem spring wreath that is definitely a #randomactofDIY.
This spring wreath is one that I didn’t even think about making until it dropped in my lap. It was one that I just had to make because it didn’t cost me a dime.
It is perfect timing because I bet, like me, you need a spring wreath for your front door.
You know I love DIY projects that require little expense but that deliver a big impact in my home decor.
Sometimes it’s the easiest projects that turn out the best. The ones that you don’t even plan on that make you happy. Ones that could make you sing and dance and do cartwheels.
I can’t sing and I no longer do cartwheels, but I can dance up a storm. This cotton stem spring wreath DIY project made me dance. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers have nothing on this spring wreath.
What’s even better? This cotton stem spring wreath has a story. As in, “once upon a time, there was a cotton farmer, who . . . (commercial interruption) stay tuned!
How to Make a Cotton Stem Spring Wreath
O.K., back to “once upon a time.” Bare with me as I tell how I came to make this cotton stem spring wreath. It’s a little complicated.
I could have started the story with “once about a time there was a man who sold dirt.” What, you say?
Prologue: Sweet Shark sells dirt. Actually, he is in commercial real estate and most of his clients either have raw land to sell or they want to buy raw land. Sweet Shark is the guy who brings buyers and sellers together. He’s a deal maker. He loves dirt. Dirt pays our bills.
The Cotton Wreath Story Begins
Every word of this story, with a little embellishment, is true.
Chapter 1 – One of Sweet Shark’s clients is a farmer, a cotton farmer, with tons of acres of land. We’ll call him Farmer Jones. Over the years when he wants to sell some acres, he calls Sweet Shark. Farmer Jones has gotten rich off of selling his land. We like when Farmer Jones gets rich. We get to eat.
Chapter 2 – A parcel of land that Sweet Shark was selling for Farmer Jones was ready to harvest. The land deal wouldn’t close until the cotton was harvested, but there had been so much rain that the cotton couldn’t be harvested. Farmer Jones and the buyer were just waiting and waiting and waiting for the rain to stop, so the cotton could be harvested and the deal could be closed. (This is the suspense building!)
Chapter 3 – Farmer Jones and Sweet Shark were lamenting that the harvest couldn’t take place. Sweet Shark mentioned to Farmer Jones that I am a blogger and use cotton stems in projects for our home decor. (I think it was just supposed to be a funny part of the conversation.) Farmer Jones, being the nice man that he is, remembered this conversation.
Chapter 4 – Unbeknownst to us (big word, I know), Farmer Jones goes to a Hobby Lobby (I kid you not!). Let me interject here that Farmer Jones is in his early 70’s, does not use a computer, and is not into DIY, but somehow he goes to a Hobby Lobby and sees cotton stem wreaths. He remembers that Sweet Shark’s wife is a blogger who uses cotton stems in projects, and he buys 3 wreaths.
Chapter 5 – A few months later (it is now April), Farmer Jones gives Sweet Shark one of the cotton stem wreaths. Sweet Shark brings it home and tells me the story of Farmer Jones buying the cotton stem wreath. I’m laughing. Sweet Shark says, “you have to do something with this cotton stem wreath since Farmer Jones bought it for you.” No problem. I know exactly what to do.
Making the Cotton Stem Wreath
First, the wreath has a price tag of $59.99. I hope that Farmer Jones had a Hobby Lobby coupon or it was 50% off.
Step 1 – I lay the wreath on the counter and bend each cotton stem over to make the wreath more full and round.
Since it’s spring and I love peonies, I wanted peonies for my spring wreath.
A couple of weeks ago, I made an easy faux spring arrangement with peonies that I purchased from Pier 1 a couple of years ago and have used many times. I removed 5 large and 3 small faux pink peonies and 2 ranunculus from that arrangement.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I really liked this arrangement, but #randomactsofDIY sometimes require sacrifices.
I had already cut the stems to about 6 inches with big yard clippers.
Step 2 – I pushed the stems of the 5 large peonies through the cotton stem wreath. For an asymmetrical look, I spaced them closely together on one side.
Step 3 – Next, I bend the stems over the wreath on the back to secure them. I wanted to be able to remove and reuse the flowers and the cotton stem wreath. No glue gun involved here.
Step 4 – I searched through my ribbon box and find three yards of sheer wire pink ribbon and a roll of narrower sheer pink ribbon. Now I make a big bow with the wider ribbon.
Step 5 – Then I use the narrow ribbon to tie the big bow.
Step 6 ~ I make tails for the bow with the narrow ribbon.
Step 7 – I tie the 3 small peonies and 2 ranunculus together with a twist tie.
Step 7 – I tie the small bunch of peonies and ranunculus and the big bow to the back of the cotton stem wreath with a short piece of narrow pink ribbon.
TaDa – The cotton stem spring wreath – with peonies is done.
The Happy Ending
I hang the cotton stem spring wreath on our front door with a long piece of the narrow ribbon.
TIP: Always have a little nail in the top of your front door. Or use a Command hanger on your door.
It’s beautiful. (Background music is swelling and I’m dancing.) I’m so happy. Sweet Shark tells Farmer Jones that I made a beautiful wreath for our front door with his cotton stem wreath. Sweet Shark is happy. Farmer Jones is happy.
We all lived happily ever after.
And that, dear reader, is the story of my cotton stem spring wreath.
Aside: I want to thank Farmer Jones for the cotton stem wreath and text a picture of the spring wreath to him. Sweet Shark says he doesn’t text.
End of story.
If you need for inspiration for your next spring wreath, try these ideas:
- 15 Amazing DIY Ideas for Spring Wreaths
- How to Make a DIY Spring Floral Wreath
- Celebrate Spring with a Blue and White Entry
Have fun. And be sure to PIN this project.
I luv the pink with the cotton stems, it came out so cute!! I’d luv to invite you to share it with us at Wall to Wall DIY Wednesday, which runs Wednesdays-Mondays. Hope you’ll stop by! https://www.dabblinganddecorating.com/single-post/2018/06/20/Wall-to-Wall-DIY-Wednesday
Thank you so much Ann, I did link it to the party.
This is so cute!! I love all the added flowers to the cotton stem wreath! Such a darling idea!!
~Emily
Emily, necessity is the mother of “creation’!! Thank you.
Cute story! The combination of pink peonies and cotton makes such a soft and pretty spring welcome on your front door. Very creative Carol!
So happy to join you for this challenge.
Happy spring!
Thank you Amber, you can’t have enough pink peonies. I had to make this!!
I love decorating with wreaths and this one looks just adorable! Lovely pictures, thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Samantha. I appreciate your comment and visiting BlueskyatHome.com
So pretty Carol! I could see this wreath on the door of the chapel at a Spring wedding. I love how you gave this simple cotton stem wreath a glamorous new look!
Rebecca, that’s a great idea. For now, it’s going to just have to grace our front door.
This is so beautiful, Carol! I would never have thought to put peonies & cotton together, but I love the combo! Would be gorgeous for a wedding!
Lora, I would never have thought of combining them either until the opportunity came to me. #randomactsofdiy
What a beautiful wreath and sweet story. I am loving all the pink!
Enjoy your day!
Shelley
Thank you blog hop friend. Pink is my favorite.
Lovely wreath AND lovely story, Carol! I hope you share it on Homestyle Gathering this week (party opened today!). Can’t wait to join you all next month!
So glad you joined us at Homestyle Gathering!
Always a pleasure. Hope you’ll link to Happiness is Homemade on Sundays.
I have seen gazillions of cotton wreaths but this is the prettiest one I’ve ever seen! Of course I love the pink (fave color) and the added bushiness is fantastic. Loved the story also. I too certainly hope Farmer Jones didn’t pay full price for that thing. Bit I have to say, I was eagerly waiting to read the sentence that Farmer Jones MADE one himself and sent it over with Sweet Shark. 😉 Thank you so much for joining in. Pinned!
Cindy, that is so sweet. All I can say is that Farmer Jones can afford it!! Thanks for hosting the Pinterest Challenge.
This is such a cute wreath Carol! I love how you can use it for several seasons.
Laura, I could use if again next year, but I probably will take it apart and reuse the parts. But for now, we are enjoying it on our front door. Will probably stay until 4th of July!
Carol I love the cotton stems and peonies. So pretty. Using the cotton wreath and adding different flowers you could use that all year around. Nice working with you on this challenge.
Terrie, thanks and I do enjoy being on the challenge with you.
Love this Carol! It turned out so cute but most of all I love the story and how you told it. I was smiling the whole way through. Very entertaining…..you can never go wrong with peonies or ranunculus, am I right?
Tara, thanks for the feedback. Every word of the story is true, but I might have embellished just a bit! Peonies are always in vogue.
What a cute story. The wreath is gorgeous.
It is so neat that Farmer Jones went to Hobby Lobby to buy a wreath for you. You made a beautiful display for your door that you and your guests will enjoy all spring.
Hi Paula, it certainly was very nice of him. He doesn’t know that his gift came at just the right time and sparked a DIY and a blog post.
What a beautifully romantic wreath!!
So ethereal, Carol!!! I LOVE your front door wreath with its soft blush peonies and the cotton stem wreath as its form ~ just beautiful!!! I did have a thought for Mr. Farmer. You’ll just have to take a real photograph and have Mr. Sweet Shark bring him a photograph; old school, I know. 😉 Mr. Farmer will LOVE what you’ve done with this wreath. So pretty… Happy to be with you again for this month’s Pinterest Challenge.
Springs hugs,
Barb 🙂
p.s. It just occurred to me looking back at your wreath lying on the table… It would be lovely as a centerpiece with a tall candle tucked inside it…
Still swooning over the softness… Going to make one myself!