December 10, 2021 at 7:00 AM, updated time: December 10, 2021 at 9:57 AM

If you are tired of the same old traditional garland, you can make an ornament for your front door to refresh the spirit of the season-peace garland.

If you use the green plants in the garden, the production cost is only a few dollars, and if you can use the existing materials, such as the branches in the garden or leftover paint, the cost is lower. You can use almost any type of evergreen plant-yew, spruce, pine, fir, boxwood, holly. If you don't have a Christmas tree in your backyard, check out the place where fresh Christmas trees are sold. They often have fragments, and they will sell them to you at a very small price.

This is not a complicated project, and it is good even for beginners. If you are fast, expect this project to take an hour, if you have never done something like this before, it may take several hours.

If you are allergic to evergreen trees or have delicate skin, you may need to wear disposable latex gloves. As you work, you, your tools, and even your workbench may get a little mucus. Use any type of oil-baby oil, olive oil, vegetable oil-and wipe off with a dry cloth or paper towel.

This wreath is kept in its best condition outdoors, where the cool, humid air makes the evergreen trees fresher. It will last for weeks or even months outdoors. Indoors, it may last for several weeks before it starts to drop the needle.

Veronica Lorson Fowler is the co-publisher of the Iowa Gardener on www.theiowagardener.com.

1/2 inch wooden pegs or straight branches about 1/2 inch thick

Dark green spray paint or any other type of dark green pain

Dark green floral thread (the cheapest to buy a small spool instead of a pre-cut length)

1. Buy dark simple linear shapes from hobby or flower shops or online. Draw a wooden peg (about 1/2 inch thick) dark green and cut it to form the inside of the peace sign, thereby forming the peace sign. Or use straight branches of a certain length and don't bother to paint them because the wood will blend in.

Fix the pins/branches in place with tape as needed. You can also push the pins tightly into place and support them on the wires of the template.

2. Cut out a small piece of greenery about 2 to 4 inches long. If necessary, connect the cut ends tightly together to form small bundles. Then use a piece of floral thread to connect the short bundles into a circle. Then use another piece of floral line to connect the ends in place, following the curve of the wreath. Repeat, overlap length.

3. Repeat the process of connecting shorter lengths of overlapping bundles on the pins/sticks, positioning them so that they are swept down.

4. When you are done, take a step back and look at the wreath. If the green plants protrude too much, use a piece of wire to connect them closer to the shape.

5. If necessary, make a short loop of thread to hang the wreath.

We strive to provide fair and accurate insurance because we value your trust. If you find errors or omissions in our report, please let us know here.

Do you have any story ideas worthy of our research? Please tell us here.

Veronica Lorson Fowler Home & Garden November 12, 2021 at 7:00 AM

Crime and court 2m ago

The Gazette is an independent, employee-owned local, state, and national news source for Iowa.