~ Trenda
I was delighted when I saw this rustic looking ribbon covered with fishing terms in bold fonts! I had been wanting to make a wreath for our front door and the “discovery” of that ribbon set “the theme” for my whole wreath. After finding the fishing ribbon, the rest of the coordinating ribbons were easily found. A coarse textured, sage green ribbon, a loose weaved burlap colored ribbon, a rope-like ribbon, and a wooden fish and bobber finished my purchases and I was ready to begin making my wreath. A wreath that would “say” … “Welcome to the long days of summer at the lake!”
Here are supplies I used making my lake wreath:
- straw wreath form
- floral pins
- scissors
- ruler
- ribbons – at least 3 different colors or widths
- wooden fish and bobber
Only materials needed … scissors, a ruler, a straw wreath, floral pins, ribbon, and a wooden fish and bobber! (Note: Be sure to leave the clear plastic covering on your straw wreath to keep your wreath intact, and your straw from shedding all over your floor!)
Instructions: (see pictures above)
- Measure a length of ribbon approximately 17″ long and cut. (Note: When you cut your ribbon, make a “pretty” diagonal cut since this will be the “tail” of your bow!)
- Grasp the cut length of ribbon in the middle and put your thumb on the center of the ribbon.
- Make a loop on each side of the center point (where you are holding the ribbon) These loops are the 2 loops your bow. Grasp where the 2 loops cross over each other, in the center.
- Bunch the center of the ribbon together and place a floral pin over the “bunched” ribbon and push the “bow” into the straw form, pushing the floral pin all the way down. (Note: the “tails” of your bow add fullness to your wreath!)
- Make your next bow, repeating the same steps but alternating the colors of the ribbon you are using.
- To make your wreath fuller, place your next bow so one side of the loop goes between the “tails” of the previous bow, then pin. Switch the direction of your bow each time before pinning.
- When your wreath is covered with bows, go back and fill in the sides and center where you see any gaps.
I added my “rope cord” filler by going back after my wreath was complete and floral pinning just a loose cord around the entire wreath. Last touch … I floral pinned my little wooden fish and bobber dangling on a piece of twine, near the top of the wreath so it would hang down in the center of my wreath.
“Welcome to the Lake!”
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
Wishing you the best of summer’s!
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
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Leatherleaf Mahonia nestled next to Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ …
Charming “greenhouse” among the azaleas … 
Beautiful blooming White Dogwood Trees shading George L. Taber Azaleas. 
Stone columns mark the entry to a quaint stone bridge … just the sort-of-bridge that a Troll might live under and 3 Billy Goats would like to trot over! (: 
A bronze statue of a little girl in overalls with a picking basket stands among the Azaleas and Aucuba …
A large jardiniere filled with ivy and a cobble-stoned walkway along lichen covered walls.
Al Fresco Dining at it’s best! “Table for 2?” Yes, please!” (:
Side courtyard …
The perfect spot to read (: … tucked behind a diminutive wrought iron fence, this reader is in “good company” with Angel Wing Begonia, azaleas, and a hedge of boxwood.
A charming basket filled with frolicking bunnies … I would love to hang a basket like this from one of our trees!
Red tulips are particularly striking against a backdrop of wine-colored Loropetalum.
A double hedge of azaleas …
Pine trees tower over brilliant azaleas …
A little cherub greets visitors as they come into the garden.
I hope you enjoyed your stroll along the Azalea Trails today! The last picture I’ve added is a picture of our own Coral Bells ‘Azaleas’ blooming in our front yard at Cottage Green on the Lake! Hope your day is filled with blossom and bird song! (:
~Holly Pond Hill
![PicCollage[4624].png](https://cottagegreenonthelake.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/piccollage4624.png?w=601&h=1068)
Simple Bow instructions:
To complete my Bunny Treat Bags I “stuffed” each bag with bunny ears made from gift wrap tissue paper. I cut one sheet of white tissue paper in half and formed a “bunny ear” by grasping the 1/2 sheet of tissue paper in the center. Then, while holding the center portion of the paper in one hand, I ran my other hand up over the tissue, while grasping it lightly to make loose folds. Then, I stuffed my “ear” into the treat bag so that the pointy ends of the tissue were sticking out to resemble a long ear. I repeated the entire process for the 2nd bunny ear, using the other 1/2 of the tissue paper. To form the pink “interior ears” I used my pink or my gingham gift tissue. Again, I cut each piece of gift tissue in half, “fluffed” my tissue and inserted into the bag, in front of the white outer ears. Use your imagination, they do look like Easter bunny ears!(;
Last touch … I “stuck” one more felt heart on the back of my Bunny Treat Bag (I used the same color heart as I used for the bunny’s nose) and placed it near the bottom of the treat bag. Then I glued a little pom pom on the heart to make a fuzzy little bunny tail! (:
All right, we’re off! First stop … The Secret Garden. The first time our daughter saw this forgotten garden she was only 9 years old. In excitement she breathlessly told me, “Mommy, I found the Secret Garden!” (: We’ve called it “The Secret Garden” ever since. ❤ These yellow roses rambling over a beautiful wrought iron fence are the more common variety of the Lady Banks Rose … and still reflect the hands that once planted and cared for them.
Gorgeous grape-like clusters of Wisteria dangle from the tangled vines within “The Secret Garden.”
Azalea Majestic’s bright magenta buds, blossoms and green foliage contrast beautifully with the texture of the rough landscaping bark.
It’s time to head home. Hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather where you are, even if it is only February! If you are still in the “throes of winter” … I hope these pictures will remind you that Spring is “right around the corner” and soon you will be seeing “adorably lovely Robins” showing off in your own backyard! (:
Down the staircase is a favorite picture … “The Lord is my Shepherd” and a metal vase filled with fragrant eucalyptus and peacock feathers.
A little alcove under the hall tree … another perfect nesting spot!
“Bird watching” (; … this vertigo green bird blends beautifully with the green shades of this collection of antique dishes from England.
Antique dishes on the lower deck … “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Currier and Ives.
A nest entwined with spring buds and new leaves is perched on a miniature bird bath filled with millet.
Little birds stand guard on a cake plate watching over two sweet eggs nestled on a bed of moss. A mercury glass bird and a fairy tale toadstool look charming together, sheltered under the glass canopy.
A silver bird perches on the edge of his nest … the perfect cache for a little treat of birdseed! (; The color of the millet matches the hues in the painting above and the in-laid wood of the tea cart.
A beautiful azalea from our own front yard almost “glows” in an antique bird planter. Under a “twiggy” lamp with a little wire nest ensconced in it’s branches, a cloche covers a pair of sweet owls and a moss-lined nest filled with speckled eggs.
The dusty red blossomed “trumpets” of Crossvine cover our fence and are climbing over an antique variety of Boxwood growing nearby. The buzzing bumblebees and bright blossoms seem to proclaim …
Regardless of the team you’re cheering for, or if your favorite team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl … I know you’ll enjoy these easy and delicious snacks! Hope you have a “super” Game Day!
“Love is patient, love is kind …”
