Juniper Berry Wreath at Southern Exposure

Earlier this week we enjoyed our final workshop of the season at Southern Exposure -- making a juniper berry wreath with real spruce greens and a permanent botanical wreath of juniper berries. This was our project.

But first, a lovely dinner. This time we dined in the Hog House, beautifully decorated for the season.

I loved the table decorations and the chair covers so much that I bought some (a dollar each at Dollar Tree!)

This fireplace mantle was a favorite of mine.

I especially loved the Dutch shoes filled with faux candy. (I have smaller Dutch shoes at home. I love them!)

I thought it was fun, filling the baby pram with presents and greens.

And this corner just seemed to peaceful to me.

Then it was on to the craft tent. Scott explained that blue is considered a Christmas color, more so in Europe than the States, in part because of the blue that Virgin Mary is seen wearing in much of the art of the period. Our supplies included the greens and juniper wreath, red twig dogwood, clippers, gloves and long green pipe cleaners. That was my take away of the day -- they work well to wire the individual branches onto the wire wreath form and are visible only from the back of the wreath. It was lots easier to tighten them than it is florist wire.

Let's just say that I am a lot better working with wreaths that are already formed than I am trying to wire live greens to a wire wreath form.

This was my expression during much of the construction. I'll share the finished wreath after I do a little cosmetic enhancement. Like, possibly redoing it to get the greens better spaced!

Still, glorious fun! And chickens! What's not to love?

DIY: Fisherman's Grapevine Wreath

I grew up in a home where summer meant fishing on the lake.

I confess, I didn't care for it all that much. One has to be patient to fish well, and quiet. I lacked that as a kid. But my dad didn't. He was the fisherman's fisherman on our little lake (and on the trout streams he enjoyed with my uncle.)

When we were little, we looked at those fish he brought in with curiosity and awe. There was also a certain anticipation of what we might have for breakfast or dinner the next day!

Dad started fishing as a youngster and his passion for it never waned.

It didn't matter whether he was fishing from shore or from a boat, in hip waders or from the dock, he would spend hours out there. Then he'd bring in the fish, clean them (I loved seeing the fish eggs!) and would prepare them with great gusto. He always was pretty lucky with it, too, so our summers often included fresh fish, baked or pan fried.

FIshing isn't Rick's hobby. And while I have the patience now that I lacked as a child, it really isn't mine, either. So what to do with all of dad's colorful fishing lures and trout flies? I wanted something that was a lasting memory.

The result is the grapevine wreath that I have on my mantle. And trust me, you'll never find any project simpler than this

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Just take a grapevine wreath -- you pick the size based on what fishing lures you have.

Then carefully place them around the wreath, using their barbed hooks to hold them onto the grapevine.

And when I say carefully, I mean carefully. Otherwise, keep some bandaids and antiseptic handy!

Another caution -- pay attention to your clothing when moving/hanging it. I don't know how many times I snagged myself moving this all of 20 feet. And trust me, when you get those barbed hooks into denim or a thin-weave fabric, it isn't easy to get them out again. Just saying!

I love how it looks on our mantle here at the cottage. Itis joined by a large photo of the Au Sable River, a fok art fish I bought eons ago, my favorite "Welcome to the Lake" bits, a pinecone tree surrounded by two "frogs" (one is fishing) and my feather collection.

Ah, that vase was from Rick. I was glad that if it had to break he was the one who broke it. Now the feathers don't look quite right in their temporary glass vase but art shows are coming up and I know just what I have in mind.

If you have a lot of fishing lures that hold some sentimental value, give this one a try!

Sharing this week with Share Your Cup and Share Your Style!

Ice Berry Wreath at Southern Exposure

"So, what is an ice berry wreath," a friend asked, when I said I was going to Southern Exposure to make one.

"I don't know," I replied. "I'll find out when I get there, but whatever it is, it will be pretty."

And with that thought, my friend Kate and I were off to an evening at Southern Exposure (for past visits, put "Southern Exposure" in the search box over on the right!) Every visit includes a fabulous dinner, a lovely craft project and -- weather permitting -- a walk around the terrific gardens, followed by a trip to the gift shop.

Well, despite a glorious and relatively warm (for late November) evening, we had to skip the garden walk -- it was too dark! But that didn't stop us for enjoying plenty of beauty.

After our first stop in the gift shop we headed to the dining area and were handed a rosemary martini. We found our name tags on a Christmas tree attached with cute red clothespins with a half-cork glued on them. (Remembering that idea!)

We wandered around before going to the dining room. There were beautiful arrangements and vignettes, all designed to get one in a holiday mood!

At Southern Exposure you don't only look around...

You look up!

The designers know how to make the best of every available inch of space and the top of a cupboard is another platform for pretty!

A long table is staged with greens, lights and candles.

And this giant rocking horse (one of two) took center stage. I thought of blogger Elizabeth when I saw that!

And from this covered area outside the dining room you could peek inside to see what was in store!

The dining room is in the old Milking Parlor of this farm but it is hard to imagine cows in this warm and beautiful room! Tables are set elegantly.

I particularly liked the idea of placing a vintage photo under glass at each setting over an ivory tablecloth.

Of course, every bit of space was used there, too, from buffet chests...

...to the chandeliers!

The staff is introduced and dinner is served!

I loved how the butter was served on a rose petal.

Our dinner included wine, roasted acorn squash serving as a bowl for a sausage and rice mix, salad and pumpkin pie. I loved the little rose nosegay on the plate!

It was very festive and we were very happy!

After enjoying dinner, we headed over to the craft tent, where instructor Micah talked about the history of the wreath and described the various kinds of pine that we would add to our ice berry wreaths. White pine, scotch pine and the one I can't remember!

We each had a basket of pine to add to our wreath which was already filled with beautiful red berry branches.

And then, it was just a matter of inserting the pine in the direction of the berries!

This group of about 60 left with a beautiful project and a lot of wonderful memories.

I'll share mine when we do the Christmas walkthrough at home! Meanwhile, 'tis the season so don't forget to look up!

And don't forget to believe!

Happy to be joining Share Your Cup, Sweet and Simple Fridays and Pink Saturday today! Trust me -- glorious eye candy awaits!

Southern Exposure: Square Wreath

Time for another Southern Exposure visit -- this time to make a square springtime wreath. Today's photos are courtesy of my friend Jan, as I forgot my camera! That must be a first!

It was a much nicer day than our last somewhat icy visit! Jan captured many of the wonderful vignettes that make Southern Exposure more of an experience than simply a destination. It all begins with rose petals and blossoms strewn along the paths.

Then, of course, we can't miss the wonderful displays. Some of the flowers are real, even this early in the spring. I love how the toile fabric dressed up an ordinary container into something quite memorable.

Of course, you might also find some high quality silks. (Why yes, I did happen to purchase a few flowers in the gift shop, thank you!)

I always get overloaded with ideas when I visit this spot. I know that I upgraded my floral urns after I started seeing how much nicer they made the flowers look!

The wreath we were to make is based on a format they discovered quite popular in Australia during one of the group's international tours, though we've been seeing more square styles here, too. This hydrangea wreath is not the one we made (you'll see that below) but it is incredibly striking!

Chef Elsie's dinner was also Australian-based. Put a few shrimp on the barbie, please! And the table setting was, as always, elegant and made all the guests feel very special.

After dinner we moved to the craft tent. Our stations included a moss-covered square wreath, four bright yellow gerbera daisies and waterpicks, some faux forsythia, scissors and some curly willow. We could get additional supplies if needed, but what they provided as plentiful.

With more than 50 people making wreaths, there was a lot of energy! Our instuctor Micah gave an overview of the balance and design of the elements, then turned us loose.

Everyone's was different!

And here is mine, taken at home.

So, today I leave you with a little bit of joy and a lot of spring. We're seeing warmer weather here in Michigan and I hope those of you who have been dealing with winter for the past few months are finding some joy in the sun and early blooms.

I know I am!

This post is linked to Talk of the Town and Thoughts of Home on Thursday later this week! Stop by -- both sites have terrific links and great ideas!