Sometimes I lag behind when it comes to getting inspired for Fall, especially when our Southern weather wants to hang on to that Summer heat all the way through September. This happens most every year for me. It’s not until the air gets a little bit cooler that I think about what I want to do for Fall. This year, what got me in gear was seeing my friend, Kate’s beautiful magnolia wreath that she whipped up from nothing.
My mind quickly went to my stash of magnolia branches that I had collected 2 years ago for Christmas decor. They are nicely dried and preserved with a pretty sage green color and that luscious velvety brown on the backsides. I dug them out of the attic to see what I could come up with.
Here’s what I had. About 10 or so of these magnolia branches, plenty of leaves to fill up my wreath. 
Specifically, a grapevine wreath I’ve had for years. So, I snapped off the leaves til I had a pile like this. 
Got out my hot glue gun and started layering them on the wreath, weaving them in and out, on top of each other. I turned some of them backwards, so that the pretty brown backsides would show too. And I ended up with this:
A lovely magnolia leaf wreath. I had a large piece of burlap that I picked up at a yardsale for pennies and cut strips of it for a floppy bow. 
Just looped it over a couple of times. Simple and easy. 
Those little pinecones I brought back from the Northwest came in handy too. They were perfect little accents glued on the burlap. 
Love the natural feel of this wreath. Just what I had in mind. 
So, there you have it. An easy wreath, using materials from nature. 
I found this cute little quail bird at a yardsale too a couple years ago and added him in at the end. 
And he makes a perfect companion to the wreath. Just like he flew in and perched there to be our personal greeter.
I’m going to try and save this wreath by wrapping it up and storing it away before Christmas comes. These magnolia leaves are pretty hardy and since these were picked 2 years ago, I’m hoping they will keep holding up on the wreath too.
Have you made any wreaths this year?? I’d love to see them if you have, so tell me about YOUR wreath!
Come back on Wednesday and I’ll show you the rest of my Fall decor (what there is of it!) and you can link up too if you have some Fall to share!
*********************************
Are you on Facebook? I’d love to have you join my Southern Hospitality page if you are. You’ll see me leaving updates over there periodically and you can read along. For instance, since the yardsale party is over for the year, I couldn’t resist hitting a couple of sales near my house.
What did I find? Click over to my Facebook page to find out! And feel free to add a pic of your own.
I think I’ll have to give up on a BlogFrog community. It’s just too hard to do it all, so Facebook will be where you’ll find me more. If you have questions or comments, you can feel free to leave them there too. Either way, I’ll see them. That’s a good place for others to join in on conversations too.
Don’t forget, the Nate Berkus blogger show is Monday, so check it out if you get a chance! Sarah and I are sitting behind the brown chair on the far right of the stage, but you might not see us at all. We were on the back row of that section.
************************************
Lastly, the lucky winner of the CSN $150 giveaway is #48, Courtney with MommieBlogs. Congrats, Courtney! I’ll put you in touch with CSN, so that you can claim your prize.
I’m linking up to The Nester’s Wreath party!
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yardsales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me? 
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful!!! I just love it! I wish I had a magnolia tree nearby that I could steal some leaves off of! Looks fantastic!
Your magnolia wreath is gorgeous, Rhoda! I love how you made it from items you already had at home.
Jane
Lovely Rhoda very pretty…..it must be hard when it’s so hot in your neck of the woods to get into Fall….. I bought a very pretty wreath at Home Goods…love that store, I’m always so lucky there, tha’;s either a good thing or bad LOL
We had such a nice summer here in the NE and then bang Fall, but whatever once mid-Sept comes I start my decorating for Harvest/Fall. I happen to love the color orange so I get into it…
Peter must be happy Alabama won huh ???
Thanks for the heads up re: Nate…I have the DVR set
I can’t get into FB or Twitter…..I spend enough time here in Blogland but I enjoy it…
Congrats to the winner of the lantern.
All the bet,
Kathy
Oh, this is so beautiful! It reminded that we need to plant a Magnolia here at the new house! Just love it!!
Love this!! Rhoda you did an awesome job!! Fantastic!
Love the wreath and Congrats to Courtney!!!
I have a huge Magnolia tree in my yard. I love your wreath and will try to copy it though I am not nearly as adept as you!
Thanks for the great idea.
This is so simple and yet stunning! My neighbor has a magnolia tree….enough SAID!! I shall HAVE me one of these beautiful wreaths! Thanks for the great how-to!
I love this wreath and will be going out first thing tomorrow to cut some magnolia branches to make one of my own! The bird is the best touch. It really looks like he just flew in to take a break. I have made a few wreaths this season that I will be sharing soon.
Come by and visit, I am having my first giveaway!
Lacy
Absolutely perfect, such a beautiful done project!!
Karena
Art by Karena
Ooo. I love how your’s had different colored leaves. My magnolia leaves were mostly brown, but I used a white bud wreath which helped give it some dimension: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2010/09/mag-nolia-fying-fall-wreath.html
I love how you added the quail and burlap ribbon. Nice job.
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Wow – that came out quite beautiful. Really Lovely.
Rhoda, your wreath turned out so pretty! I love the way it looks next to your black front door. I love magnolia leaves but no longer have access to any free ones – my mother in law had her trees cut down! Such a pity to see them go. The ribbon you chose is perfect for the wreath. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer
I like the bird – it gives the wreath that extra special touch. I am with you 100% in regard to fall. Here in NC it doesn’t feel like fall until well into October. This was really the first weekend that it wasn’t hot….I am finally feeling like I can dig out the fall decor. Just can’t do it when it is 90+! I look forward to the show tomorrow!
It’s beautiful, Rhoda!!! I love the burlap ribbon too.
It is gorgeous! I used to have a magnolia swag on my mantle when I was first married. How I wish there were magnolia trees here!
That is so pretty. I love magnolia leaves and those little pinecones are so cute.
I love your wreath! Looks so natural and oh so Southern with the magnolia leaves. I made one last week or so using fake leaves. You can see it here: http://ljjonescircus.blogspot.com/2010/09/fancy-fall-wreath.html
Rhoda,
You fall wreath is just beautiful and classy. I love it. I think I’ll have to try it!
Lindy
The wreath is beautiful, Rhoda. I love it! And the burlap bow adds just the right touch.
Rhoda, I love the wreath! It’s earthy but still sophisticated. Makes me want to get a move on and get my own fall wreath together. Thanks for sharing!
Rhoda, that is so lovely! I just adore your little quail, what a perfect touch, and that burlap adds so much too. You truly are so very creative. You make everything beautiful!
xo
Kate
never really had any real wreath, except for those plastic ones, lol.
have to try this one day made from nature all natural and cheap.
Rhoda – that wreath is GORGEOUS! It is so simple but makes such a great statement. I love that it was made from natural materials, and from things you had on hand. I’m on a mission to find some magnolia leaves.
Barbara
The wreath is beautiful. I might have to try my hand at one too. I had seen Kate’s and loved it as well. Around the holidays you can find those plastic wreath storage containers. Target usually has them fairly cheap. They are great…keeps the wreaths from getting squashed!
Lovely! I’m with you– when it’s 90+ degrees at the end of September, it’s hard to get motivated for fall decor!
Great job on the wreath!! I am right there with you in the south and thinking it is just too hot to think about fall…but today brings that confirmation that fall is actually in the air! YEAH!!!
Hi Rhoda. I’m in love with the wreath! Being a northerner, I am always envious of the magnolia! Just beautiful, really. And I am so inspired by your “Welcome” on your front door. We are in the midst of painting our house and I am finding it lacking something. I think I just discovered what it needs
! Thanks so much.
Love the wreath…so pretty!!!
Going to set my DVR now, just in case I get busy (reading blogs) and forget to watch.
Love that wreath; I left a comment over ob fb
Janet
The wreath turned out great! I never think to use real things like that. I’ve made several fall wreaths in the last couple of weeks.
http://thetracichronicles.blogspot.com/2010/09/met-monday.html
I really love your version with it’s brown and green. My plan is to make one in just a little while, so now I’m stumped. Brown or multicolor. Hmmm, what a dilemma!
What a beautiful wreath, Rhoda! The burlap bow and little quail are perfect touches. I had seen the magnolia wreath Kate made and now your wreath so I think I must make one of my own. We have 5 magnolia trees and I am always sweeping up the leaves. It’s the perfect project for me. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks to you and Kate for the inspiration.
What a cute wreath! I especially like the little pine cones.
Absolutely stunning..pure class….and done with nature’s bounty…what a gift!
Very creative and lovely, Rhoda! Love all the little details you added. I had a magnolia tree at my old house and I hated all the leaves all over our yard. Should have though about making wreaths!
I made a magnolia wreath last year and I loved it. I used oasis to keep the leaves alive, but I love yours!
Here’s a wreath that I made the other day:
http://melissadark.blogspot.com/2010/09/circus-peanuts-and-book-wreaths.html?spref=fb
It turned out very pretty! Just right for Fall and with ribbon changed and other embellishments, it could be used for Christmas as well.
What a great wreath. It is just perfect with the burlap and bird. My little boys would just love the bird. Maybe I better make one of these for our door. Thanks for the idea.
Rhoda! I LOVE this!!!!!
Gorgeous fall wreath! You have a flair for color and style! I love the detail of the bird! Adorable!
I restyled my old and tired autumn wreath on currentlychic.com! Take a look and tell me what you think!
Lovely, Rhoda! Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Hi. Love your magnolia wreath! BEAUTIFUL! I made a PeeGee hydrangea wreath you can see on my blog if you’re interested. Love your blog.
Thanks for sharing.
~ Julie
What a pretty wreath! The perfect touch of Fall
Love the simplicity of your wreath Rhoda!
Cindy
xo
Rhoda, I love the Magnolia Wreath! I actually love the fact that you used what you had in your stash to create this beauty! Great job!
This is a great idea for fall. The colors used are very appropriate. Thank you for sharing!
I love the wreath. I have a wreath I made, not from magnolia leaves, that I want to hang but was waiting to get my front door painted, or touched up. I will be back to see the rest of your decorations.
Just another reason you are so dear to me.
I love magnolia leaves – any color- any season – any time.
Just ask my friends at church, I use them for all reasons/season.
That little feathered friend & baby pinecones just breathed life into the
vignette !!
“falling” for Southern Hospitality – once again.
hugs, p
So beautiful Rhoda! I love everything about it!
I am totally in love with this wreath! Yet another reason to get hubby to plant me a magnolia tree!!
I hope to meet you this Friday!!
Wow Rhoda that is gorgeous. I love the different hues of green and yellow!
I have a bag of magnolia leaves I brought back from a trip. Do I need to press them for a few weeks, or can I just glue them into a form? Thanks for your help.
Hi Rhoda ~ your wreath is so beautiful in its simplicity. I’m and Idaho girl living in a lovely NC world now and know what you are describing when it comes to the fall – back home fall truly came in September, but here ~ I’m just not “feeling” it yet. Your wreath put me there, though. Thankful for Nester throwing such a fab party where we could meet talented new bloggy friends.
xoxo michele
What a completely adorable wreath ~ I love it!
Have a Happy Labor Day!
It’s spectacular, Rhoda! Makes me yearn to be in the South. I am up North, watching this nasty hurricane roll in. Spending this day doing some crafts while I do!