Easter Wreath :: Ta dah!!!

Ok, first up a confession. I admit that I am glad this project is finished. I am happy it is over. There, phewww, thank goodness that's out in the open and off my chest. Breathe out, it's all ok.

Occasionally, I create a project in my mind that is way more attractive in the thinking stages than it actually is in the making stages. This was just such a project. A few reasons for this perhaps....firstly it was remarkably similar to the wreath I made before Christmas, so a lot of the excitement that comes with designing and creating something new was a little bit second hand this time around. Secondly, I began making this wreath at a time when there suddenly seemed to be a gazillion other more interesting things that I really wanted to start (mostly studio related ie cushion covers, shelf edging, bunting etc). And I am not one who is comfy with a load of half finished projects, I really like to finish up my projects. I think that's because I am quite addicted to Ta-dah-ing.

And then there is also the fact that this was a seasonal project and had a deadline which I felt obliged to work towards. No good finishing up an Easter wreath sometime towards the end of Spring is there? And deadlines don't really suit me very well to be honest.

But I persevered. I pushed on with it, put the hours in. Wreath making takes up a huge number of hours as there are so many components. Producing a length of stripes is only the very beginning.

I am a stickler for Detail and Good Finishing and take a lot of care with these things. For example, it would have been very much quicker to use just one colour yarn for the stitching up of my stripes (especially as the join is on the back and is not seen), but oh no. Can't do that. Need to thread, darn and finish off forty three yarn ends so that each stripe is stitched up in it's own colour.

I was so happy when the stitching up was finished (at the café one Friday morning), but of course there was still much to be done. There were pom poms and flowers and leaves still to make, dozens and dozens of them.

I made the pom poms in the pub one Monday night, so they were accompanied by a haze of companionable chat and laughter. They were fun to do (I really haven't tired of pom poms yet), in fact I ended up making way too many as I couldn't seem to stop (am liking this idea for the left overs).

If you've been following along with me during the past month or so then you will have an idea of the way the wreath flowers came together (here, here and here). But it's always useful to have all the details in one place, as follows ::

Japanese Quince Flowers (pattern here)

Forsythia flowers (adapted from the pattern here)

Daffodils (pattern here)

Teeny tiny flowers (far right, pattern here).

And the polyanthus flowers (far left) were a bit of an experiment so I don't have a pattern for those.

I also bought a few bits from eBay to add a little Eastery flavour :: coloured feathers and little painted wooden eggs.

When I came to pin everything in place, I was surprised by how many flowers I had actually made over the weeks. There were only a few small gaps that needed filling so I made more leaves and a few more teeny flowers and quince flowers.

I began stitching it all in place a couple days ago and my my, it was a laborious task. It kind of made me fidget in my seat and look for distractions every few minutes. I was torn between desperately wanting to finish it and desperately wanting to jack it all in. I was unbelievably relieved when it was all done, and I did have a few issues with the feathers which I only just solved this morning.

I made a small yellow bower bird to nest in the bottom of the wreath. Ah yes, I know what you're going to say now......"when can we have the pattern for that sweet bird?"

I know you've been waiting ages, and I am not deliberately witholding it from you I promise you. I've made the photographic part of the tutorial (although it was mid winter at the time and the lighting wasn't great), but I now need to carve out time to upload it all and write it up. I will make it my mission to do it very soon, while it is still Spring. Promise.

The feathers.....not easy things to stitch are they? After much deliberating I took a very fine sewing needle and some cotton and managed to stitch through the vein of each feather to anchor them securely in place. It was fiddly and a bit tense, but I felt it was entirely necessary for an Easter wreath to have feathers so I stuck with it. I ate rather a large number of chocolate mini eggs while doing it to cope with the tension.

Good Friday, and the deadline was met, yipppeeeeeeeeeeee! I did rather a lot of dancing around with my finished wreath, trying to decide where to hang it.

I changed my mind several times, but eventually decided to hang it above the sofa so that it can talk to my blankets and cushions. I wonder why I didn't think to hang my Christmas Wreath there? I had a thought that if I can face making a Summer wreath and an Autumn wreath, then this place on the wall above my sofa can officially become the All Year Round Seasonal Wreath spot.

Would you like to see it in situ?

It looks pretty cute.

Here, take a peek...........................

There!!!

That's my newly designated Seasonal Wreath place.

Want a closer look?

Oh, ok..........................

Pretty! The feathers were definitely worth the gritted teeth and chocolate overdose.

Want a proper good look?

A close up?

Thought you might.................

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As usual, there isn't a lot of restraint with this creation. It is full and frivolous and maybe a little bit over the top.

But.....it delights me. It provides a dash of handmade craftiness, and a flash of glorious colour. Both things to be embraced in my world.

Ta-dah!!! (yes, I can have two ta-dah's if I choose).

I thought it would be interesting to have a look back at my Christmas Wreath for comparison.

There are many similarities, and the shifts in colour are only very slight. More red and deep green in the Christmas wreath, more yellow and orange in the Easter wreath.

Despite myself, I am already thinking ahead to the summer possibilities. I am thinking of the red, pinks and purples of roses and sweet peas, with a shot of marigold orange and some pretty yellow and white daisies. Butterflies and sea shells.

Isn't creativity and imagination wonderful?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[fifa 14 Coins Generator]

Perhaps a property crowd would be the lift this team must get by such close contests. Brazil real-estate seemed to be thriving inside the the recent past because from the less expensive prices, when compared to house costs within the United States and lots of European nations. Their own sides have fielded some in the greatest titles within footballing background, produced arguably the best group of in history in South america 1970 along with given football fans one with the 2 finest players ever to elegance the football stage.

[Natalie Imbrogno]

Lucy, I am indebted to you...I recently lost my husband. I am a young widow who thought I knew how to crochet...until I read your blog. Your creativity is a joy. Bless you and your family for this inspiration. I crocheted the Easter wreath and I am looking at right now. Thanks to you, there is a little more color in my life.

[shani]

WOW! You are absolutely genius! So very very creative and generous with sharing your gifts with us. Blessings,
Shani

[Bárbara Mello]

Hello Lucy!!!! I'm following you!
Meet my blog .. I'm from Brazil
Kisses <3
My blog: www.finocrochet.blogspot.com

[Hannelore Farrell]

Hi "Attic 24":)
I have been following your blog for some time and absolutely adore you. Your talent is amazing !!
I hope you get this message as I'm not sure this is the main place to make a comment. I'd love to know more of how you got started,where does the name"Attic24" come from? I'm following you're new adventure with your shop and think it's great! Hope it does well for yo. I just find your choice of colors fantastic. Am just getting ready to order lots of your favorite yarn (Stylecraft Special UK)Good luck with everything! Hanna Farrell from New Orleans, Louisiana.

[Jillian]

I am trying to make a summer wreath after viewing this post. This is most definitely one of my favorite creations of yours!

Jillian

[Rani]

This is amazing. Very pretty. Thanks for sharing.

[Joan Peel]

That is amazing! You are sooooo clever! Just found your blog and I am in awe.

Love Joan x

[June Braid]

Wow...absolutely gorgeous! I just love your site. Thank you for flower patterns , they are lovely .June North Wales

[Annie]

Hello Lucy !

This bird is so pretty ,I like it and I would like to make one .Can you give us the pattern ?
Thank you very much .I'm sorry but my english is very bad .

[Jacqueline]

FINALLY!! I'm so delighted to have found ur wonderful blog, I've recently taught myself to crochet n my friends and family laugh & talk about me "knitting" in funky monkeys indoor play with the kids and my coffee complete bliss!! Can't wait to try the pub now! Xxxx will be blissfully following ur blog frm now on us crochet "freaks" have to stick together ;)

[Jessica]

This is SO amazingly gorgeous!

[Cheryl-Anne Courtney]

Stunning! Simply stunning!

[Caroline Hegwer]

This is amazing. I love the wreath. Just looking at it makes me feel happy.

[Anna]

beautiful as usual! yes, both wreaths have similar colors and arrangements - your very well known style.

[Sally]

Those two wreaths are amazing.... how on earth do you find the time? Love them though, and totally worth every minute! ;)

[Allie Cat]

Seriously dreamy Easter wreath! Swoon! I really need to crochet a wreath, I've made fresh holly wreaths before and bore the prickles to prove it, I'm thinking the yarny kind is a lot less hazardess !

[annemieke]

It is defenitely a beautiful and Happy-Making wreath!!!!! I had much fun reading your post, thanks.
Groetjes
Annemieke

[Andria]

Ab-so-lute-ly Fab-u-lous!!!

[Stick Horse Cowgirl V]

One word--Glorious!

[Elle]

What's the bright pink yarn you're using?

[Allie Cat]

Love your Easter wreath, just perfect!!! :-) xxx

[Luv2CUSmile]

This is beautiful! I love it and so easy. But... you covered the gorgeous colorful stripes! I like it both ways. I think i may have to do a version for each holiday and maybe leave a bit of the base color coming through... it looked great! I do love all the colorful floeers though. So springy and full of life!
~Luv

[Shelley Rosenberg]

I AM UNABLE TO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR BLOG - WHEN I CLICK ON SUBSCRIBE, I GET TO A PAGE WITH LOADS OF TEXT ON IT... Help please!

[Julia]

Gorgeous! It's very unusual and stunning! Great job!