DIY Magnolia Heart Wreath

Thank you for visiting. I now have a new home at www.countrypeony.com. I hope you will find me there.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I wanted to add some subtle decorations around my house that could take me into Valentine's Day and stay for a while longer. This wreath allows for just that. The heart is a nice nod to Valentine's Day without being too "themey", and allowing it to continue its appeal into spring. 

For this project, you will need:

• Dried Magnolia Leaves (I plucked mine from our backyard tree, but you can purchase them online)
• Heart Shaped Wreath Wire Frame (I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby)
• Hot Glue Gun with Glue
• Paint Brush (optional)
• Gold Paint (optional)
• Wet Towel

I originally used the magnolia leaves as decoration for my son's woodland-themed first birthday party. The leaves air dried in my house for a couple of weeks, and I decided to re-purpose them for this project. I removed the leaves from their branches with gardening scissors so I could get a nice, clean cut. Then I cleaned them with a wet towel, and allowed them to dry completely. 

For my next step, I decided on the placement of the leaves. I knew I wanted to feature the rich green color, and also highlight the beautiful, velvet texture of the backside of the leaf. So I decided to alternate sides. I also wanted to follow the natural curve of the leaf with the heart. After I confirmed the placement, I glued each leaf to the wire base of the wreath frame and glued each leaf to one another for added stability. 

Once I completed one side of the heart, I copied the same direction on the other side. You can stop here, but I decided to add a little glamour! I took the gold paint and highlighted the veins and velvety texture of the backside of the leaves by brushing the gold paint onto the back of the leaf. I love how it brought some great detail and flair to the project. 

I knew I wanted this wreath to hang on the door of my son's room, so I went with 12 inches for the wreath frame. But you can use a wreath frame that is larger for the outside of your house. 

After purchasing the products and drying the leaves, this project took me a little over an hour to complete. I hope you enjoy this project and add your own little twist that makes your own heart happy!

DIY Magnolia Heart Wreath