8/29/13

Making Grapevine Wreaths

I have a monster grapevine in my backyard! It's a very old and delicious seedless variety that was planted long before we lived here. It grows like a weed! It's a good idea to prune back some of the runners in the summertime. This helps the vine put more energy into the fruits. It also helps us find the clusters of grapes more easily.

Craft stores regularly sell grapevine wreaths in all sizes; they are great for a multitude of different decorating and crafting purposes. But if you have a grapevine growing in your yard or garden, then there's no need to purchase one. They are easy and fun to make!
The preparation: Prune those extra long, fruitless vines off your plant. From the vines you've pruned off, select the longest ones. You want them to be green and pliable as well. Do this soon after you prune; they start becoming brittle as they dry out. Remove the leaves, but leave the curly tendrils. Once you have a good selection of de-leafed vines, you are ready to begin.

The Project: Start with a nice long vine and curl it into the size of wreath you desire.
Wind it together to create a simple circle and tuck in the loose ends. Don't worry if it's not a perfect circle. You will be able to shape it easier as you add more vines. Tuck the end of another vine into the circle and then wrap it around, tucking in the other end as you finish. Use more vines to wrap around and around. As you go, wrap the vines in different directions and start in different locations. As it becomes thicker and stronger, you can pull it into a nicer circle and it will hold it's shape.  Stop when it is firm enough to hold it's shape and when your desired thickness is achieved. Let them dry on a flat surface until they are brown and thoroughly dried.

This is a great project for a summer or fall evening. My home doesn't have air conditioning of any kind, so we like to sit outside in the summer evening and enjoy the cooler air. Plus, we just love being outside! The other day, we spent an hour or so in our backyard. My husband played his guitar and I made three grape vine wreaths of varying sizes. I love lazy summer evenings like that!

I am already brainstorming on some great ways to use them, so watch for follow up posts...
Check out another great wreath idea using twigs and acorns HERE.
Shared at these great blogs:
The HomeAcre Hop at Black Fox Homestead
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home 
From the Farm Blog Hop at Sunny Simple Life 
Clever Chicks Blog Hop at The Chicken Chick
Creative Home & Garden Hop at Little Homestead on the Hill 
Sunday Linky at Suburbs Mama 
Silver Pennies Sunday at Finding Silver Pennies 
Tuesday Garden Party at An Oregon Cottage 
Garden Tuesday at Sidewalk Shoes 
Tuesdays with a Twist at Stone Cottage Adventures 
Rock 'N' Share at The Shady Porch 
The Backyard Farming Connection Hop 
Down Home Blog Hop at Tilly's Nest 
What We Accomplished Wednesday at Green Willow Pond 
 Feature Friday at Blissful and Domestic
Craftastic Party @ Sew Can Do
Monday Funday at Lines Across
Mostly Homemade at Homegrown & Healthy
What'd You Do This Weekend? at The Tumbleweed Contessa
Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thank you Silver Pennies!
Thank You Summers Acres!
Thank You 1840 Farm!
The Chicken Chick
Thank You Chicken Chick!

25 comments:

  1. What a fun project - it would be a lovely fall wreath. Visiting your blog via the Tuesday garden party.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'm headed over to visit your blog now... Have a fantastic week!

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  2. Love your grapevine wreath. I found some wild grapevines on our property and I will have to try this! Thanks for sharing on the HomeAcre Hop, look forward to seeing what you'll share this Thursday! Nancy HomeAcre Hop

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    1. Thank you so much; I'm glad you like it! See you tomorrow at the HomeAcre Hop!

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  3. I have lots of grape vines I could make wreaths with! Thanks for the tutorial.

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    1. You're very welcome; I'm glad you found it useful! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I love those!! I wish I had grapevines in my yard!

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    1. Thanks for stopping in! If you know anyone with grapes in their yard, you could ask if they'd be willing to spare some vines for a wreath. Most grapes grow so vigorously, so they probably wouldn't mind at all!

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  5. Oh, how lovely - to be able to make your own - never thought of them being so green at first! Makes sense :)
    I am delighted that you shared with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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    1. Thank you so much! Yes, they are very green at first. It'd be kind of nice if there was a way to keep them that color. I think it's pretty! I do, however, love the natural brown that it ends up being though and it's perfect for fall decorating!
      Thank you for hosting Home and Garden Thursday! See you tomorrow!

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  6. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that your post will be featured at Thursday's The HomeAcre Hop. I will also tweet, facebook, and +1 your post. Please stop by and grab the featured button at:

    http://summersacres.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-homeacre-hop-35.html

    Congrats!
    ~Ann

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm excited to be featured at Thursday's HomeAcre Hop! I'm glad you like my post. Have a wonderful week!

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  7. Im fascinated! And wanting to grow grapes now. Not that Ill have great grapevine for fun crafting anytime soon, but one day!

    CorinnaAshley.com

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    1. Hi! Thanks for stopping by! If you plant a grape, you might be surprised at how quickly you have extra vines for crafting. Most grapes grow very quickly! If you do, then enjoy! It's also awesome cause you can eat the grapes while you make the wreaths! :)

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  8. I made a few last year...looking forward to seeing what you do with them! I like them plain and decorated.

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment! I agree they are great decorated or plain. I'm hoping for some time to play around with decorating some soon! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. Good morning from 1840 Farm! Your post was my selection for a weekly favorite from last week's From the Farm Blog Hop. Your post is one of the six featured posts in this week's hop. Come take a look and grab a From the Farm Favorite badge to proudly display on your blog. While you're there, you can add up to three links to this week's hop. I can't wait to see what you share!

    Jennifer @1840Farm

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much for choosing my post to feature on From the Farm Blog Hop! I'll be heading over there soon to join in the fun. Have a great weekend!

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  10. What a great tutorial! I never knew how to make these! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed my tutorial! See you soon at Silver Pennies Sundays!

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  11. I have always loved the look of these wreaths. Now I can try to make some myselfthanks to this post. What a wonderful post on making grapevine wreaths.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you get to make some wreaths of your own soon!

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  12. THANK YOU!! We have a grapevine on our back fence and love the grapes, however, it can get a little wild sometimes! Now I know what to do when we prune it! THANK YOU for sharing this info at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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    1. You're so welcome! :) I know what you mean about getting wild! When we first moved to this house, the grapevines had completely taken over a small tree and had also completely covered about 100 ft of fence! Have fun making wreaths!

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