Supplies needed:
Willow wreath - (for this project I used a 9" wreath)
Silk sunflowers - 7 to 8 flowers for a 9" wreath (apx. 2 ½" in diameter)
1 bunch caspia (natural color)
1 package beige raffia
1 can yellow spray paint for crafts
Glue gun and glue sticks
Optional: 1 package beige strawflowers
1 can of hunter green paint
8" piece of ¼" yellow ribbon
Our first step will be to take the caspia (outside), spread the flowers on newspaper and spray with yellow craft paint. Coat them front and back. After spraying I take the stems and, using clothespins, attach them to a clothesline I use for this purpose. The flowers dry much faster. The amount of caspia needed will depend on how much you want on the wreath. Start off with 6 to 8 pieces, spray more stems if needed. Let dry thoroughly. Snippet: If you do this step a day ahead of time, the flowers will have had a chance to "air" out so the paint smell is not overwhelming. Optional: if you are going to use green strawflowers, follow the same steps.
The next step will be to measure out approximately 72" of raffia (multiple strands). Cut into 3 strips 24" long. Take the first strip and around the wreath (lower right) tie a knot and a bow. If, for example, you are working with 4 strands of raffia, after tying the bow, leave two strands hanging from the wreath and begin looping the remaining 2 strips around the wreath. As you loop the raffia over, under and around the wreath, keep each segment between 2 and 3 inches apart. About 6" from the end of the strand(s), tie the second 24" strand(s) to the end of the first. Tie first as a knot (to hold) then using the 6" from the first piece, tie a bow, continue wrapping. Follow the same instructions as above for the third strand(s).
