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!
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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.
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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!
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.