How to: make an evergreen wreath

Perhaps the only thing better than the scent of fresh-cut evergreen boughs is having that scent come from a wreath you've made yourself.

My mom and some friends did just that last weekend and I played photojournalist. And so, may I present:

A step-by-step guide to wreath making

You will need:

• A wreath frame (available at your local craft store).

• Green florist wire (or just plain silver wire - it's not really going to show)

• Secateurs (pruners or clippers)

• Moss (available at the nursery or some craft stores) soaked in water for at least an hour

• A variety of fresh materials. Along with Western Larch and Cedar, we used:

Seeded eucalyptus

Holly

Pine

Laurel

How To

1. Gather an assortment of 12-20cm (5"-8") stems into small bunches (between 2-4 stems per bunch), and wrap the ends tightly with florist wire.



2. Wrap the cut end of the bunch with damp moss. Lay the bundle on your wreath frame and secure with more wire.



3. Place your next moss-wrapped bunch on the frame, facing the same direction so that the tips of the second bunch overlap the first, covering the wire. Secure.



4. Proceed as above, overlapping the bundles and wrapping the whole thing with wire. Once your frame is entirely covered, step back and assess. Add extra stems where needed, and affix extras like bows if desired.

Voila! You've got yourself a wreath.