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!
Oh I love this! My sister is obsessed with cotton and I would love to make her one for her birthday in a few weeks. All of our cotton fields are picked, is there a place you can buy natural cotton?
Hey Lynsey! I would guess your best bet would be to look at the local farmer’s market… but I would most definitely ask around. You would never guess how half of what we’re looking for turns up by simply asking around. And usually for free or super ridiculous cheap prices (see our dining room barn wood) ;} I hope that helps!
Thanks Ashley! I’ll do that, great idea. I’m all about saving some moolah!:)
Try online at craft supply places. I have seen people selling cotton on Etsy, but its pricy.
I am so making this! Adore.
How clever! I love all these elements in the home. I’m going to need to find some cotton now 🙂
Love it! Very cute and creative! Have a great week!
Leslie
Love it! I’m going to try this!
Oh, I just love . this! My daddy and his daddy were both cotton farmers for years, In fact, one of my most prized possessions is a black and white photo of my dad as a small boy, standing in front of his daddy’s cotton field in Texas with his cotton sack over his shoulder. As a child, I made more glitter-covered cotton boll Christmas ornaments than I can count.
And how, you have harkened me back to my Texas roots with a new wreath lust. Sounds like I need to take a road trip through Southern Indiana to see if these folks know how to grow cotton.
Oh, and the vignette in the top picture is just lovely!
Ahh that is so cute!! What a great way to make use of something natural. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
There was a sweet blogger from the south who was sending cotton to just about anyone who asked a few months ago! Isn’t that sweet? I wanted some magnolia leaves myself (I’m in the upper Midwest). Well, we have wheat, and corn…lots of corn. or did.
Love your wreath. It will be pretty all winter long! 🙂
XO,
Jane
I’m so obsessed with this it makes me almost want to cry. I’ve been longing for cotton in my house for the last year, but since I don’t live in the South, I have to actually order it and pay a small fortune 🙁 Another reason I’ve always longed to be a Southern girl.
This cotton wreath speaks to our souls! Our dad is a cotton farmer…love love love! We can leave it up year round! THANKS for the inspiration!
XOXO
ps: I have lots of cactus here…want me to mail it?? I kid…
That wreath is gorgeous! I LOVE real cotton branches swooning over this 🙂 You did a beautiful job!
Thank you, Dria!
Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I lived anywhere near a cotton farm. The faux ones are so expensive. I love collecting feathers, shells and pine cones to add nature indoors with out all the cheese.
This will be very sentimental. My Daddy saw this wreath and fell in love with the idea. We both grew up around Lubbock Texas where cotton is in abundance. We were going to make one this Autumn. In May he left this earth for his heavenly home. I got some cotton seed from ‘back home’ and grew a cotton patch in my front yard. It grew wonderfully and produced in abundance. Today, I am making the wreath for My Daddy and Me.
How special! I am so sorry for your loss but adore the sweet ways you’re remembering him. Blessings to you and your precious family!
I love this and have been eyeing cotton fields for years, but can’t bring myself to steal a farmer’s hard work! I am in SC, with family in the low country where Spanish moss is everywhere draped from live oaks. I made wreaths with the moss this year and they are amazing!
I also love to bring nature inside.
Wondering where you can buy the cotton balls in bulk or enough to do the wreath?
I bet you actually never know when you’ll stumble across them – your standard flea market or store or farmers market probably has them… or look online at ebay – we just asked a local farmer. I hope that helps!
I know I’m late to the game, here, but any guesses as to how many bolls you used? I would love to try this, but I don’t know how many to buy!
And I’m late responding – sorry about that! I would say a generous bouquet. How’s that for a vague answer? I know I’m awful. I just know that’s what we started with, and we had some nice amounts left over, too. So quite a few stalks should fill up a wreath nicely. ;}