natural elements : how to make a cotton wreath

Hey friends! We hope you had a wonderful restful weekend. We spent it purging {more on that to come-I know…we’re awesome fun like that} and I took a break to get a little creative on Sunday.

Some of the best things to decorate with throughout your home are natural elements. They’re timeless. And I love the idea of bringing the outdoors in. Shells, stones, driftwood… you name it. I love it.

We left our Christmas Decor up until New Year’s Eve {I just didn’t have it in me to take it down… read: the kids love it + we may still have our outdoor up… at least we’re not turning it on? Meh.} and when I do, our home feels so much more simplified. I can’t say that by the time I take it down, I ever miss it much.

But there is something a bit lacking in the cozy department.

Lately I’ve been craving the look of natural elements, and wanted an easy accessory for winter. Living in the south, there’s cotton a plenty. You can’t drive anywhere at a distance without passing a cotton field. And you just need to know how to get your hands on some.

And by get your hands on some, I don’t mean a pick and run of an illegal nature. ;} I was at a bit of a loss, when I heard you can score some at our farmer’s market. I’d posted about it on Facebook, when a great farming friend of ours hooked us up with a fellow cotton farmer who graciously gifted us with these pretty little cotton blossoms. (Thank you again, guys!)

In vases, in bowls… and sprinkled though out the home, there’s just something so naturally charming about it. I even love the shape the dried blossoms make.

This was cotton pickin’ heaven!

I was all, IT’S SO FLUFFY, I’M GONNA DIE!!!

I got all excited and decided to make something.

This cotton wreath adds a little charm and winter fluff to the darkest of doorways. Guaranteed to chase those post holidaisical apocalypse disappointments away. But this isn’t a (super cheesy) infomercial. Here’s all ya need:

One of those pre-wrapped straw wreaths, natural cotton (preferably not of an illegal nature) a ribbon, hot glue gun and scissors.

Start by securing the ribbon around the top of your wreath with hot glue. {I hang it after I’m finito with a ribbon per the nester’s instructions circa 2008 - I think she writes later about hot glue-I use hot glue} and slowly add your cotton via the glue gun (on the low heat setting so it doesn’t melt your plastic) adding as you go. I even like to add a few dried pieces here and there to emphasize the natural element. Tada! Your own little piece of southern charm.

Random side note: Apparently my great great grandmother was in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not for picking the most cotton at the age of 106 circa 1900 or something amazingly ridiculous like that. Sometimes I wonder what the generations before us would think if they could see us now… She would deem me ridiculous. {It’s just SO FLUFFY! I had to make a wreath!}

So what’s something natural in your neck of the woods that you like to adorn your homes with? I’d love to hear about something cool you guys enjoy. Especially things in other parts of the nation/world that aren’t available where I dwell. Maybe we should trade some in the mail. ;}

Have an inspired day, everyone!

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