Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Christmas and Southern Magnolia Decorating

Living in Texas
we enjoy our gorgeous Magnolia trees
and especially at Christmas time.
About mid November
we trim our Magnolia trees where needed
to shape them before the winter.
I then save those branches in
a bucket of water outside to keep them fresh
till it's time to work with them.
Today was a warm near 80 degree day
but tomorrow we are predicted to
have ice and very cold weather.
So while the weather was nice,
I brought the branches into the garage
and began designing a wreath
and a few garlands.
To begin, I lay out all the branches
and gather the size of leaves I'll need for the wreath.

I use a simply green Styrofoam round  wreath
from the Dollar Store.
This one is about 14" round.

Next, I begin to cut the leaves and stems
and hot glue them on the wreath.



Going in one direction, I hot glue the leaves
to the top, front of the wreath
 and around the sides and inside area.


Moving the leaves up and down for interest and a natural flow.

Once completely covered, it looks something like this.
The bottom leaves are placed in a cluster of three, 
where I plan to place a simple silk ribbon.

This is the backside.
No need to glue leaves to the back.
Just place enough around so you do not see the wreath.
The hot glue works great with
these strong thick leaves.



Once complete and the ribbon in place,
I hung it over a picture in our family/library room
using an over the door hanging hook.


Some years ago
I found these darling little flower light covers
and place them on the mantel spray.


This room is home to many vintage ornaments
on my skinny tall tree, displayed in a vintage bowl
and a few under this cloche.
Remember that cloche stand?
I shared in a post HERE repurposed from
an old lamp.


For the garlands,
I left the rest of my branches in place
 and wired them to evergreen garland
for a full lush style.
This hutch is across the room from the
mantel.


In our dining room,
I add the leaves to evergreen atop the hutch.
Tiny little lights tucked in the garland.

In the entryway,
I add more of the garland on this old curio cabinet.
So there you have it.
My decorating with Magnolia branches and leaves for Christmas.
Easy, fun and free,
except for the wreath, which was a dollar!!
Hot glue and ribbon already in my stash~

 And in a few weeks when the holiday is over,
they will be dried out and I'll simply throw them away.
The inexpensive wreath and all.

****

Oh and for one more thing~
A new use for a vintage mixing tool.

I bent back the wire leaving the last wire flat to stand.

And now I have a card holder or mail keeper!


Thank you for stopping by.

Think of us as we face an ice storm.
Hopefully we won't lose power.

When I grew up in Michigan,
we used to say,
"wait a minute and the weather will change"
Well, we say the same thing here in Texas.
One day it's 80 degrees and the next,
ice and freezing rain!

~~Have a special December Day~~
Hugs,
from the Lone Star State!

Celestina Marie




19 comments:

Createology said...

I adore your Magnolia leaves and how beautifully you arrange them into wreathes and garlands. Every vignette is simply joyful. How fun to use the little wire mixer as a card/mail holder. December Delights Dear...

NanaDiana said...

Well, aren't you just the cleverest girl with that old wire mixer? I have one of those tucked away somewhere...and a good one that I actually use to cut butter into flour.

Your magnolia wreath is gorgeous and I love them tucked all over into your other greenery. Beautiful! Hope you have a great night- xo Diana

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

How wonderful to have magnolia leaves fresh from your yard! They add a pretty natural element to your decor!

Valerie-Jael said...

You have so many beautiful decorations. I love the idea of using magnolia leaves, the wreath is gorgeous. Love the card holder, too - great idea. Have fun, and please contunue to show us your wonderful decorations. Hugs, Valerie

Betty said...

Your wreath is so pretty and so is the rest of your Christmas decorating. I am doing mine today.

Karen Xavier said...

Wow, love the way you have decorated your place... cozy and tastefully done. Nice collection of crosses too...

Julie Marie said...

Hi Celeste... your magnolia wreath and garlands are so pretty!.. I love the little twinkling lights in them too... your home looks so beautiful and festive... and your vintage pastry blender Christmas card holder is adorable!... wow, 80 degrees!... we are at 3 this morning, yikes!... stay warm when your cold weather hits... xoxo Julie Marie

1CardCreator said...

Just so you know today it will be 50 again in Michigan, how crazy is that, lol! I love your wreath and Magnolia branch trimmings they are all so beautiful and so tastefully done. Love the card holder idea too, so very clever! I will keep you in my prayers today that the ice storm melts away before it does any damage. Hugs, ~Diane

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

The magnolia leaves are so pretty, Celeste! I remember, years ago, reading a magazine that showed a garland with magnolia leaves on a staircase. I wanted one of those garlands so badly!

I hope the storm isn't too bad. We are supposed to get hit with a "wintry mix" tomorrow.

Jan Hermann said...

Such creativity Celeste - love all your ideas!! Beautiful!

Dorthe said...

Hi dear Celestina,
I hope you are safe in the storm tomorrow,
here we are in the middle of a huge storm, and I pray we will be safe all.
Your magnolia wreath is beautiful, - I love the simple look with only the bow . You have decorated your home with this wonderful bush all over, and it looks gorgeous.
xoxo, Dorthe

Jeannette said...

Ooh I loove your magnolia holder,its georgus,the green leaves its pretty,you have so many wonderful decoration,i love your faith cabinet,iam looove angels soo much,beautiful.

Greetings Jeannette

Donna said...

Your home is just gorgeous all decked out for the holidays, Celestina! I love your magnolia wreath and garlands! What a great idea to mix the leaves in with garland and lights! I see so many great ideas here, I am really excited about your tip of using and over the door hanger to display your wreath over a picture. I've been trying to figure out how to hang a wreath in front of our big vintage mirror over the fireplace, and now I know! So thank you for the tip! Love those flower light covers, too. Everything looks just magical! Hope you don't get that ice storm!!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Your wreath is just beautiful, Celestina, and your home looks lovely all decked out for Christmas. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit. I'm so happy that we both contributed to Kathy's giveaway. Your ornament is adorable! It's nice to meet you!
xo, Susan

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

BEAUTIFUL!! I love magnolia leaves!

pballard said...

Thanks for visiting me today on my blog. Thanks for participating in the giveaway. So glad to have found you. I am your newest follower through google connect and bloglovin. I could spend all my days on blogs. Isnt the blog world fun. Thanks for the directions to your wreath. I think I could possibly do this.

cynthia lee designs said...

Everything looks beautiful!! Love the wreath and garland.
We had a little rain tonight, then some freezing rain, and are expecting 5 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow. Hope you don't lose your power and I hope that we don't either.
hugs,
Cindy

Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff said...

Your Christmas decor is so warm and inviting, the use of magnolia throuout is lovely. I may have to "borro" your idea for the dough blender, LOVE!
enJOY a Merry December,
Kimberly

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh how I miss my Magnolia tree I had in a previous yard. They are the best for decorating. Your wreath and garlands are beautiful. What a clever use for the "masher?". laurie

Post a Comment

Thank you for stopping by. Your visits and comments are always welcome and I look forward to visiting you in return. Have a blessed day!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..