Crafting with Vines

Wreaths have become a popular decor item to adorn front doors. There are SO many different kinds of wreaths, ones for every season and holiday!  Stemming from Christian tradition, the advent wreath was one of the first known...

Interesting history taken from Wikipedia: 

"In Christianity, wreaths are used to prepare for the Advent season or the "coming of Christ."^[2] The first known association with these now modern day wreaths dates back to the Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century. In 1839, Johann Hinrich Wichern used a wreath made from a cart wheel to educate children about the meaning and purpose of Christmas, as well as to help them count its approach. For every Sunday of Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, he would put a white candle in the wreath and for every day in between he would use a red candle.^[3] The Advent wreath is constructed of evergreens to represent everlasting life brought through Jesus and the circular shape of the wreath represents God, with no beginning and no end. The Advent wreath is now a popular symbol in preparation for the coming of Christ, to mark the beginning of the Christian Church’s year and as décor during the Christmas festivities."

Interesting, isn't it?! I love symbolism...and love the idea of having a wreath year-round on our front door.  Even if it's just for me to see as I enter our home and be reminded that this is God's home - and He is what completes us...He is what makes us whole...and, He is what makes this home a home - a place for His presence to reside and bring glory to His name...and a place where He regularly picks up broken pieces of our inadequacies and draws us closer to Him.

In a previous post, I had some pictures of my favorite wreaths.  While at my parents, the debate was between making this burlap wreath or a grapevine wreath.

I love the burlap wreath...love it! And, my mom had a massive role of burlap - like the "real, farm burlap"; but, it would have required us going to the store to get a foam wreath.  So, instead, we took advantage of this:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Dad had just pruned the grapevines before we got there - so, we had PLENTY of grapevines! 

We soaked the grapevines to make them more bendable.  Worked pretty good.  Except for Julia wanting to play in the water!

Grapevine Wreaths...

Next, I wanted to make some burlap roses...

They were pretty easy to make...Here is a great tutorial at Jones Design Company. And, I used the green floral wire to attach them to the wreath (so I could easily remove them and use the wreath again).

Not perfect, but nice and rustic!

Back home on our front door.

I think it could use some more roses...but for now, just 3 little ones.

I love the sun hitting it in these pics.

Next, I wanted to make a birdbath/feeder I'd seen on Pinterest. 

Here was the inspiration!

So, if you've never made a grapevine wreath, it takes QUITE a while to wrap the vines into a wreath!! Reason for my wreaths being not quite as nice and thick as the "inspiration" pics!! 

I just used twine/hemp to hang it.

Come and eat little birdies! It's right outside our kitchen window, so we can watch for them:)

In the summer, I think we'll convert it to a birdbath.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

Thanks, Stowe Dairy Farms (aka Mom and Dad!), for all the fun, crafty projects!