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!
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!!!!! 🙂