Monday, November 8, 2010

Raffia & Waxed Leaf Garland Tutorial

When we decided to wax some pretty fall leaves (I used this tutorial because Greta is not a scaredy cat and lets her children partake in the waxing fun - thanks Greta!), I knew I wanted to make a garland.  But our window is so huge, that I was afraid it would look too puny just hanging on a string.  So I decided to spruce it up a bit with some raffia.
Now I know what you're thinking, raffia, ugh?!?  I know, it reminds me of bad 80's country decor too.  But I promise when used with respect, raffia can look very apropos for the season.  Use it sparingly and wisely.  And for goodness sake, don't tie a bow with it.  If you look in my corners, I tied a bow in my garland and then almost gagged.  So I took a pair of scissors to the loops and cut them to make more of a shabby looking fringe.  It also helped (I think), that I used a darker color of raffia, not the usual light beige variety.
So enough of my babbling, here's the easy-peasy tutorial: 
A long pretty line of waxed leaves
I bought Martha Stewart glitter for the first time & used it on this project.  Wow.
It is on a pedestal because it deserves to be. 
 And hang above your favorite window!
Or on your not so favorite mantel
Tomorrow I'll reveal more of the dreaded mantel and how I changed the decor to fall in love with it again.  
I also reveal how I made this sweet Give Thanks banner. 
For now, I'm linking up to Centsational Girl's Fall Craft Party

20 comments:

  1. so cute...I love the glitter on the wooden clips....

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  2. I'm loving your photos here. I still think you are a bit nuts for jumping right in to more decorating, but really I'm not at all surprised.

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  3. Love this whimsical garland and your pictures are great!

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  4. adorable! think i am going to have to try the clothespins with glitter this week.
    janine

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  5. Such a great DIY! Great pictures too!

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  6. so cool! I can't wait to read more of your blog!

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  7. Oh lovely indeed! Thanks for the idea!

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  8. I'm glitter phobic, but those clothes pins are so dang cute that I may just change my ways.

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  9. This is the third wax leaf garland I have seen in the land of blog... so apparently the 80's are in... or did you say 70's?? ;) ha ha!!

    fun!! I know I won't do this... though I would if I were more organized!!

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  10. I love this! If I didn't have an infant around I'd probably try to do it... glitter + baby seems a bad combination.

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  11. martha does make some mean glitter!
    love this and love that you showed a way to use raffia that was completely 2010. oh, and i love that you used the word apropos ;)

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  12. I keep my martha stewart glitter on a pedestal too :) it's the prettiest stuff in my craft area and deserves to be shown off!

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  13. Super pretty! I mugged the tree-trimming guys behind Kohl's and got whole branches! I'm going to try and make your garland before Thanksgiving. :)

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  14. That's so cute! And I really love the extra little sparkle the glitter adds.

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  15. So beautiful. I love the colors. I'm going to share on my Facebook wall later today. PreservingHomeBasics.com

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  16. I'm a sucker for garland and bunting! LOVE THIS!! :o)

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  17. Wow! What a beautiful garland! Thank you for the inspiration-

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