Moody Plum Wreath

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Ranunculus Bush, Toast, 2
• Ranunculus Bush, Burgundy, 2
• Peony Bush, Dark Purple/Green, 3
• Artichoke Bush, Purple, 3
• 20" Dahlia Bush, Cream, 3
• Dusty Miller Bush, 3
• Eucalyptus Green Leaves and Berry, 3
• Flocked Leaves Bush, 2
• 24" wire wreath frame
• Decorative Accents, Floral Wire with Cutter, 26 gauge
• Wire cutters
• Glue gun/glue gun sticks
• Masking tape

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make a hanger: Flip the frame back side up. Cut one 2-ft length of wire. Fold in half and loop over one crossbar on the second ring in from the outside of the frame. Extend the wire to the adjacent crossbar. Leave slack in the wire and twist around the bar. Spiral the remaining wire back over the hanger.
2. Flip the frame front side up. Divide the frame into six equal sections with the hanger in the center of one section (this will be a light color stripe). Mark these sections with a small piece of tape on the outside ring of the wreath frame.
3. Lay out the stems and cut into individual stems, 5" from the tips. Push all leaves up to the tips if possible. Cut off lower leaves that do not slide and set aside. Bend all stems at a 90 degree angle. The number following the name is the stem count per stripe:
Light stripe: Ranunculus, Toast 5-6
20" Dahlia, 5
Dusty Miller, 7

Dark stripe: Ranunculus, Burgundy, 4
Peony, Purple, 5
Eucalyptus, 5
Artichoke, 5
Flocked Leaves, 4-5

4. Start with the light stripe in the section of the hanger. Wire together small sprays of the stems in the list. Start at one tape mark. Position all stems pointing the same direction and wire to the frame. Spiral wire around the frame and the stems to attach. Alternate the sizes and directions of the floral heads. At the second tape mark, change over to the stems indicated for the dark stripe. Continue alternating the stripes all the way around the frame. The stems may move side to side as more are attached. This will be corrected in the final steps.
5. Flip the wreath back side up. Work a section at a time and trim any extra long stems that do not help connect the sprays to the frame. Tuck in any loose ends of wire. Hot glue along all wired stems.
6. Cut the leaves that were set aside into individual leaves. Use the smaller leaves in two rows to cover over the back of the frame and the wired stems. Layer the leaves and overlap 1/4"
7. Flip the wreath front side up. Hot glue Dahlia leaves around the stems in the white stripe. Trim out any leaves that appear as dense clusters. This will give more room for the flower heads to spread out. Go once around the wreath to adjust the leaves and flowers to desired directions.
8. Hang the wreath. If the stripes are not consistent, they may be adjusted by gently bending the stems.