DIY Inspiration: Flowers & Birds Garland

Once again OnceWed leaves me feeling inspired.

With this adorable, dainty flowers & birds garland your cocktail space, reception or bridal shower will not only have a personal touch but also a bit of feminine whimsy added to the door tops.

I know garlands and paper chains have become the new "it" DIY item but this little tutorial knocks all the others out of the park because of its simplicity. It's pretty and subtle, perfect for an afternoon garden party or morning brunch. 

What you'll need:

• 1 bunch of Baby's Breath
• 1 spool fabric coated wire
• paper of your choice (for the birds)
• string
• 1 sheet of card stock
• floral snips
• scissors
• small hole punch
• pencil
• computer/printer 

Directions:

*Note: Before starting your project, unwrap each of your flowers' stems, trim them and sit them in water for a few hours.

1.  Take your floral clippers, and trim all of the flower tufts off the end of the sprays, leaving just a little stem.  (see figure 1)

2.  Cut a 7 foot length of fabric coated wire.    Twist the end of the wire to make a little loop at the end.

3.  Take a tuft of Baby’s Breath, and lay it on your support wire, just past the loop.   Pick up your wire spool, and wrap the wire around the flower stem and support wire.   (see figure 2)

4.  Add another tuft, this time to the back side of the wire, and wrap again.

5.  Keep adding the flower tufts, alternating front and back, and work your way down the wire. (see figure 3)

6.  When you reach the end of the wire, cut the spool away  and wrap the wire around the garland end several times to secure.  Make a loop on the end with your support wire.  Trim your flower stems to make the end of the garland tidy.  (see figure 4)

To keep your garland fresh, coil it up, mist it lightly with water, and place it inside a plastic garbage bag.  Put it in your refrigerator, or in the coolest spot available.   It should stay fresh for 24-48 hours depending where you keep it.

7.  Print out the bird template on a sheet of  card stock.   Cut out the birds, and trace them onto your decorative paper. ( I used 10 pairs for a six foot garland)

8.   Cut all of your birds out, and punch a small hole in the middle of each bird’s back.  (see figure 5)

9.  Cut a length of string about 14 inches long, and tie a bird to each end. (see figure 6)

10.  Hang your garland from the wire loop ends and hang your birds over the garland, spacing them evenly apart. (see figure 7)

(*Note: You can easily use the bird print out/template from Living the Swell Life) 

 

Thank you to Laurie Cinotto and OnceWed for this lovely inspiration. 

--Grace L. Fleming 

photos and DIY via OnceWed