Category: Uncategorized

Cool Cats (Warmer Now)

In Michigan, October brings a more serious chill to the air and I find myself tempted to turn on the furnace. While I can add a sweater, my cats were glaring at me to let me know they can’t. Many years ago I went to thrift stores collecting wool sweaters. I planned to felt them and use the felted fabric to make a jacket for my daughter. She was 4 then, and she is 17 now so clearly I have missed the moment!

Recently I saw a project that constructs a pet bed from old sweaters where you stuff the arms and body (see link) creating a bit of a hug. Since I still needed to find a project for the 13 year old felted sweater material; I designed my own cat beds. To felt the sweaters, I simply washed them in hot soapy water which shrinks the wool and locks the fibers together preventing the sweater from coming unraveled when cut into pieces. Three of the four sweaters were 100% wool and the pastel striped sweater was over 50% wool blend which resulted in a felt with some visible knitting remaining. Constructing my own bed design allowed me to make it just the right size for my cats.

I cut the fabric for the bolster to measure 6 inches wide and long enough to complete a circle around my base with overlap. I used 2-4 pieces of felt for the bolsters depending on the color pattern I created. For the base, I used a platter and added one inch to create an appealing shape for a cat nap.

  • Three inch doubled fabric.
  • Base is one inch longer than platter.
  • Various sweater pieces were used, sleeves were cut to measure 6 inches.

Using a simple blanket stitch I attached the sides to the base (which contained no stuffing). I sewed all the pieces together at one time which made the project come together quickly.

  • Pinning bolster to base.
  • Note the overlap of bolster pieces.
  • Use blanket stitch over the edged of all pieces.
  • This is the resulting seam which is underneath the bed when completed.

Using polyester batting and a long wooden dowel I stuffed the bolsters and then sewed those pieces together with a simple running stitch. I placed them in some of Simon and Kimbers favorite spots and they seem to enjoy them!

  • Simon will still leave it to sit on the keyboard.
  • Simon enjoying his power position on the sectional
  • Kimber enjoying her spot on the back of the sofa.
  • Completed cat beds. I kept the sleeve ribbing for a visual reminder of their origins and to get the “hug”.

Stay warm and be well!

Garden Crafts: Botanical Note Cards

In my previous post Garden Crafts: Pressing Flowers I shared how I have been preserving my garden by pressing and drying flowers and leaves. I thought I would take a minute to share with you some of what I did with those dried pressed flowers. I purchased some blank note cards at my craft store and applied Matte Modge Podge to the card, applied the flower or leaf and then sealed it over with more Modge Podge. I used them immediately to send thank you cards and a birthday greeting and learned they didn’t all travel well. To make sure the delicate petals don’t flake off make sure they are placed on a nice layer of Modge Podge and that they are entirely covered in Modge Podge to seal them in. After I learned this I included a rectangle of parchment paper to protect the front of the card from sticking to the envelope. I also used some elements from my spice cupboard by adding poppy seeds to give it texture and outline the delicate white petals.

Note cards created with dried pressed flowers.
Note cards created with dried pressed flowers.

Now that it is autumn in Michigan I have loaded up my flower press with leaves I’ve collected. I am unsure if they will keep their brilliant fall colors but I am hopeful.

I am trying to collect enough flowers and leaves etc. to have on hand the materials to design more cards over the winter and perhaps try framing some to hang on the walls. I hope this has inspired you to “harvest” items from your garden in a new way. Enjoy!

Baking for Dogs

Gracie has the purple leash and Louie the red.

We are on day 27 of our Stay Home/Stay Safe order here in Michigan, USA and it has been 31 days since the President declared a National Emergency. I did a pretty good job of stocking up on essentials and preparing our family for 30 days of sheltering in place (only taking trips to the pharmacy and bank so far) however I forgot one thing… dog treats. Our dogs, Gracie and Louie are accustomed to getting treats every day at bedtime (this started as an attempt to keep their bellies full so we could sleep in on the weekends) and occasionally in the afternoon just to break up the day and add a little excitement. But no worries I told myself… I can make some!

I needed to make some important exceptions because we avoid peanuts (my daughter is allergic) and we use a largely plant based diet so we did not have a lot of bacon lying around or liver etc to add flavor. Many recipes used peanut butter as a central ingredient in dog biscuits and was the hardest to work around. Substituting almond butter felt too decadent knowing the price tag. After a couple hours of reading I went with a basic recipe from http://www.mkclinton.com Barking From The Bayou which included whole wheat flour, cornmeal, oil and water. I added some of the other popular ingredients that I stumbled across in my research: carrots and broth. My daughter emerged from her room while these were baking and wondered if I was going to serve her beef stew with egg noodles! They did smell pretty tasty and, I did taste them (why not? they are all human grade ingredients) and they were savory and mild with a meaty aftertaste. I do want to highlight that I used sodium free beef bullion so be careful not to make yours too salty if you use a different product.

Beef Stew Style Dog Biscuits

  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 6 tbs vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 3 packets of granulated sodium free beef or chicken broth
  • 1 finely grated large carrot
  • pinch of salt
  • white flour for dusting the board

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Allow dough to start off a little dry because carrots will impart moisture. Knead the dough on a floured board until smooth. Roll out to 1/4″ thick and use cookie cutter to form shapes, press firmly to cut through bits of carrot. Bake for 20 to 30 min switching trays around halfway through. The biscuits should be dry, hard and lightly golden. Store in air tight container for up to two weeks, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Notice the dough is a little dry allowing the moisture in the carrots to deliver a supple dough.
The dough is smooth with flecks of carrots. I used a medium bone shape and a small fire hydrant shape. Important: The sharp edges of these metal cutters help to cut through the carrot pieces.
These biscuits can be crowded because they will not spread.
My cat Kimber was not impressed.
Louie is a gobble monster!

Whew, the Dogs LOVE them!!

Gracie is always polite.

Hostess Gift Ideas

On Sunday, I was making meals for the coming week and it occurred to me that these simple cookbooks I rely on, would be an outstanding addition to any home chef’s collection. My mother gave me these books because she loved them, and I can see why. The recipes are elegantly simple and use smart time-tested techniques that deliver good results. If you are lucky enough to attend a friend or family member’s holiday dinner or brunch you probably realize the time and energy put into the affair and feel like you are taking advantage just showing up to eat, enter the hostess gift! Here are some ideas…

The Best Soup Cookbook by Marilyn Crowley & Joan Mackle

Robert Rose Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. pp.185. Paperback, $27.22 on Amazon

  • Toppings
  • 125 soup recipes
  • Chowders
  • Consommes
  • Chili
  • Garden soups
  • Classics and new recipes
  • Basic stocks
  • Cold soups
  • 16 color photos

I have not made every recipe, however I have found family favorites that are a snap to pull together like Creamy Corn ‘n’ Cheddar Chowder, Finnish Vegetable Soup and Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Seeds. The Bay Scallop Chowder with Double Smoked Bacon rivals anything you might find in a sophisticated restaurant; it is rich, creamy and amazing.

The Breakfast Book by Marion Cunningham

Alfred A. Knoph, New York pp. 320 Hardcover $16.81 on Amazon

Here is another book that offers a wide range of ideas for the breakfast or brunch menu, including breakfast staples like coffee cake and new ideas like breakfast cookies.

Hardcover Only
  • 288 recipes
  • Hot and cold
  • Menu ideas
  • Beverages

This book has also delivered family favorites: Irish Oatmeal Muffins, Gingersnaps, Oatmeal Bran Breakfast Cookies and Apricot & Prune Coffee Cake. I find my waffle recipe, scones, and biscuits here also. Marion Cunningham is well known for her Fannie Farmer cookbooks which is arguably the first cookbook to give your kids as they leave the nest. It covers almost every expected American meal choice in a straight forward fashion. I am embarrassed to say that mine is in pieces having broken the spine after 25+ years of regular consultation.

Irish Oatmeal Muffins- Double Batch

I always bake a double batch of the Irish Oatmeal Muffins because 1. they are that good, and 2. it uses the entire carton of buttermilk. The magic in this recipe is the process of soaking the rolled oats in buttermilk 6 hours or overnight and then mix in the whole wheat flour, sugar and eggs. They are not too sweet to accompany a roast or soup (which is what I was preparing). Hearty and filling we eat them plain with coffee on the go; their spongey quality allows for eating in the car or on the bus without making a mess.

While these titles are not available as eBooks… Here is how you can give an eBook – no shelf space needed.

Go to Amazon.com and select the Kindle Store from the task bar on the left. Select Kindle e-readers & Books and then select Kindle e books…or

  1. From the Kindle Store in your desktop browser, select the book you want to purchase as a gift. Note: Free books, books on pre-order, and subscriptions cannot be gifted at this time.
  2. On the product detail page, click the Buy for others button.
  3. Enter the personal email address of your gift recipient.Tip: If you are unsure of the email address for your recipient, you can select Email the gift to me before placing your order. This allows you to forward the gift email or print and personally deliver it to your recipient. The gift recipient can enter the Gift Claim Code from the email, after logging in to their Amazon account.
  4. Enter a delivery date and an optional gift message.
  5. Click Place your order to finish your gift purchase using your Amazon 1-Click payment method.

Kitchen Accents

Add style to everyday items
Make a simple gift special with little touches.....
Clip your card to the gift/book

Or a one-of-a-kind item everyone will admire…

Like many an aspiring artist I have an Etsy Store ThePiratePieMan where I hope to find homes for the many inspired items I have created, things I love so much I assume others will too.

Carrot Cozy $20

A Tea Cozy keeps the pot warm for an hour or more so the second cup is as welcome as the first! This comes in two styles: Carrot Cozy and Hot, Hot, Hot! (teapot not included)

Hot, Hot, Hot! $20

You may have noticed that this post has veered off into a shameless plug for my Etsy store so… while we are here, I will also include some items for the kids which is a legitimate strategy for keeping the hostess happy.

Knitted donuts, cupcakes and bagels are perfect for pretend play.

I hope you all enjoy your holiday gatherings and with these simple, special touches everyone will know how much you care.

For The Love of The Game

I never imagined that part of my daughter’s high school education would include training her to be a warrior.  With the help of coaches Kate Twichell, Casey Lamp, Mike Peters and Erynn O’hara she is a formidable player on the Portage Women’s Lacrosse (PWLAX) JV squad.  Over the years we introduced her to gymnastics, tennis and diving. But n the Spring of 2018 she came home and said “I think I wanna play Lacrosse.” Gulp, I had never seen a lacrosse game.  Initially, I thought it would be a good chance to do some knitting in the stands. I was so wrong.

“Spring” sports in Michigan means winter weather wear.

Women’s lacrosse is designed to be elegant and fast paced; depending more on skill and teamwork without the brute force present in men’s lacrosse.  Players wear wire goggles, colorful mouth guards and carry sticks with nets on the ends for catching, shooting and passing the ball. The players look fierce and focused using their stick to block, defend and shoot.  

Without enough female players in either of the Portage District High Schools they have combined to create Portage Women’s Lacrosse.  This means the girls meet kids from both Portage Northern and Portage Central High School and the friendships help them to feel at home on both campuses.  Fields from each school are called upon for use in practices and games. This year we are enjoying the new Huskie Stadium for our home games while the Central Field is under construction.  The teams color scheme borrows one color from each of the districts high schools; orange (Northern) and navy (Central). Each girl becomes a member of US Lacrosse and enjoys a subscription to their magazine which connects them to the broader Lacrosse community including college level competition.

Portage Northern’s Huskie Stadium

The sport is well known on the east coast where it has been played for hundreds of years. A lot of people (myself included) considered lacrosse a rich white game; however lacrosse has important Native American origins.  Native American cultures believe the game is given to them by the Creator and is considered medicine. Many native kids grow up with a stick in their hand and play lacrosse throughout their childhood. In Michigan, the game is less well known and US Lacrosse holds various clinics and events to help grow the game.  

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

This year, there are some exciting developments in the design of lacrosse sticks that will help new players become better ball handlers from their very first game.  Like my daughter, many PWLAX players have had no previous exposure to the game and are given expert coaching to become valuable team members by their second or third game. Watching my daughter grow in skill, confidence, strength and love for the game has made sitting in the cold stands worth every minute.


Cooking Adventure: “Turkey” Seitan (A.K.A. Turkey Loaf)

On November 22, 2018 in North America, most of us celebrated Thanksgiving.  This is a feast day to commemorate 17th century European colonization.  As children we are told a big meal was served to celebrate the settlers successful preparation for the impending winter and Native Americans peacefully took part.  The Native Americans don’t feel this warmly about the day however.

This year, we bucked the trend and instead of making a turkey we chose to roast a leg of lamb and tried our hand at making a seitan “turkey.”  Of course we started out searching the internet and read a bunch of different recipes and selected this as a starting off point.  Sylvia Bass on her web site Cookie Chicka has a lot of nice photos to accompany her recipe so that you can follow along with confidence, and they helped.  Overall the recipe contains vital wheat gluten, beans, chick pea flour, nutritional yeast, vegetable bullion or “poultry flavored” bullion and spices.  Mix all ingredients and steam them in a foil tube for one hour and then bake for 30 min.  I did not have a large enough system to steam all the ingredients in one tube of foil so I did two and I didn’t have chick pea flour so I used the entire can of white beans.  

Turkey Loaf baking alongside our leg of lamb.
Turkey Loaf after baking

I found it to be a lengthy process but the results were pretty satisfying.  The Turkey Loaf sliced easily and was tender and had all of the flavors we expect for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  I served it with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and broccoli; it was a satisfying meal.  I used ‘Herbs de Provence’ a blend of rosemary, thyme, marjoram, savory and oregano which made it taste a lot like stuffing (a seasoned casserole of bread cubes, carrots, onions and celery with lots of regional variations) which I was not serving so I went for it knowing it would make up for it’s absence.  

Turkey Loaf being sliced
Sliced Turkey Loaf

Leftovers…

So the reheated Turkey Loaf was just as delicious the following night.  It will allow you to get thin slices and would easily make a nice sandwich filling.  Here is a list of ideas for what to do with the remaining servings:

  • Mix in with scrambled eggs along with bell peppers. (see photo)
  • Grill thin slices and serve as sandwich filling.
  • Toast and serve as a salad topper. 
  • Add to pasta with tomato sauce.  
  • Cube and add to pizza toppings.

Here I browned small cubes in oil and used them in an omelette with bell peppers and onions and topped with cheese.  We all agreed that I could have added more browned Turkey Loaf because the flavor was welcome and served almost as a sausage stand in. 

I think that this seitan recipe would be easily adjusted to different flavor profiles like:

  • Italian sausage 
  • Gyro or Greek Seasonings
  • Fajita/Mexican

Please comment if you have other recipe ideas or seasoning suggestions.  

Thanks!

The Pirate Pieman

Looking Down

In Spring 2018 we added two dogs to our family of three humans and two cats.  Of course certain chores accompany pet ownership and I am the person most often on poop patrol.  I got this job for a couple of reasons, but primarily they all lead back to… I don’t want to step in poop.  Interestingly this morning as I was scanning for poop (and sticks) preparing to mow the lawn, I noticed that there was a lot going on down there.

I attribute these mushrooms to years of mulching grass clippings and fallen leaves into the lawn and not to dog poop, but I could be wrong. Here is what I learned:

  • It is very hard to be confident that you have identified the mushroom correctly.
  • The Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms will glow in the dark faintly and make you very very sick if eaten.
  • The Stinkhorn Mushroom really does stink and looks like severed fingers after you mow over it in the lawn…gasp!

Meadow Mushrooms

I am giving this impressive collection its own slideshow so you can see how big it is and  how cheerful in the lawn.

 

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Others I found..

I’m trying to refrain from putting in a silly amount of photos..

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So, to be fair those amazing Jack-O-Lantern Mushrooms were growing down the street from me and not in my lawn however they are so impressive I knew you would want to see them.  I am confident that these are correctly identified because I asked my uncle John Trestrail and he is a poison specialist, he said don’t eat them.  I guess eager mushroom hunters can mistake them for Chanterelle’s. There was at least one other mushroom out there that day but I could not figure out what it was, and I am certain that I may have mislabeled some here, so if you know better leave me a comment.

Back to the little stinkers…

So it felt wrong to introduce my menagerie of pets (and their poop) without including photos of them so here we go…

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Yes, all of the sweaters are knit by me, one of the perks of owning small dogs in Michigan.  Cats are not any fun to knit for however, they do like a plush knitted square to sit on year round.

Next time you get a good rain, stop to study what is growing, it may be far more then you ever imagined.

Thanks!

 

Apples Are Confused Roses!?

I became fully aware of my love for apples when I was pregnant.  In 2003 I was living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and while the area did grow some apples it was clear there was an apple “season.”  When apples were out of season they became expensive and it was hard to find any varieties other than Golden and Red Delicious (my least favorite).  I cried that day; that was the only thing to move me to tears during my pregnancy…I had to settle for pineapple.

Michigan is another story, they grow SO MANY apples.  And, right now is apple season!  I’m such a nerd for apples, I have even named some of my Etsy offerings after apple varieties.   Apples can be eaten fresh, cooked, pressed, fermented and when the cider is no longer sweet you get vinegar! Truly amazing!  According to R. Jacobsen’s book Apples of Uncommon Character: 123 Heirlooms, Modern Classics, & Little-Known Wonders, in the 17 and 1800’s a typical homestead would have a dozen different apple varieties growing.  In the 1900’s, as the self sufficient American farm declined America saw the rise of the industrial-scale orchard and the surviving varieties were the Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and MacIntosh; gone were the thousands of regional varieties.

Jacobsen says “apple trees are very patient. It’s nothing for them to wait a hundred years, even two hundred.  There is a bent old Black Oxford tree in Hallowell, Maine, that is 215 years old and still gives a crop of midnight- purple apples each fall.”  He says the last old varieties are dying out and he has set himself to trying to find the identity of these varieties before they are gone forever.

I think the desire to explore more apple varieties is catching because locally I can find up to 6 varieties at my grocery chain.  Every fall we drive to the outskirts of Kalamazoo Michigan and visit Gull Meadow Farms – an orchard, pumpkin patch, bakery and family fun center (but I think these games and props are just a distraction from the enjoyment gained picking apples with your family, but I know kids under 13 would disagree.)  I visit the orchard weekly during apple season; they even have a text message service that tells you when new varieties are being harvested.  Our current favorite is Crimson Crisp and I brought home its cousin Candy Crisp for us all to try.  I am not a fan of the largely popular (and expensive) Honey Crisp because it is TOO sweet.  I prefer an apple that is nicely balanced between tart and sweet with some complex flavors.

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Crimson Crisp and Candy Crisp Apples from Gull Meadow Farms in Richland, Michigan

If you can, go out and try some different apple varieties. Avoid apples flown in from  New Zeland or other far flung areas (even though they are also amazing) and when in season buy local or regional offerings.  I gave myself this pep talk at CostCo and pushed past their apples to make a commitment to drive to the local orchard.

Too many apples? No problem, just cut them into even shapes and add them to a pot with a 1/2 cup of water or apple cider (less if they are juicy, more if they are dry) and cook stirring often until you get applesauce.  I remember arriving in Munster Germany as an exchange student in 1991 and Frau Witz offered me some apple sauce made from apples grown on the tree just outside her backdoor.  It was so comforting, and was the very first thing I had to eat in Germany. I learned how to make it for myself and ate it many times that winter (with cinnamon, no sugar.) I never did learn the name of those apples.

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I told my husband that I was going to write about my love for apples and he told me  about Michigan’s Apple Crunch.  On October 23rd, 400,000 or more people will eat apples to celebrate this amazing fruit.  Here is what I learned from their website:

  • Apples are a member of the rose family
  • It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple
  • The largest apple ever plucked from a tree weighed three pounds, two ounces, and was picked in Caro, Michigan.
  • There are 900 family-operated apple farms throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
  • Michigan is the 3rd largest apple producing state in the country
  • Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with a value of about $100 million annually
  • On average, Michigan harvests about 20 million bushels (840 million pounds) of apples per year
  • Apples are a great source of the fiber pectin. One apple has five grams of fiber
  • The science of apple growing is called pomology

Maybe you can get your hands on some Michigan apples and will join me! Register to take part at Michigan’s Apple Crunch.

Today, I have two pecks of apples in the kitchen and I am not going to think about the end of the season.

Enjoy!

A Point of Pride….

So here in Michigan a fall chill or even full-on winter weather has been known to come too early.  Notably, we often have to send our kids out to trick or treat in their coats and one year it snowed on Halloween! I am not sure when it started, but somewhere along the way I made it a point of personal pride to avoid turning on the furnace until the last possible moment.  September is totally unacceptable and if you’re such a cupcake that you turn on the heat this early, then yes, the rugged people of Michigan are judging you. Now that it is October we are getting into some marginal territory; where it is acceptable in *certain circumstances* however, not fretting about your gas bill when you open the door 50 times for trick or treaters is the real treat.

Here is a Weather Channel chart for when the first snow can be expected. If your area is not listed, follow the link below for other regions in North America.  In 2006 we had record snowfall on October 12… these are the certain circumstances mentioned above.

Avg. First Snow By… Earliest First Snow Avg. Season Snow
Marquette Oct. 13 Sep. 13, 1923 203.6 inches
Rapid City Oct. 16 Sep. 13, 1970 41.6 inches
Int’l Falls Oct. 18 Sep. 14, 1964 71.8 inches
Duluth Oct. 21 Sep. 18, 1991 81.5 inches
Bismarck Oct. 26 Sep. 12, 1903 50.1 inches
Sioux Falls Oct. 31 Sep. 25, 1939 43.4 inches
Mpls./St. Paul Nov. 2 Sep. 24, 1985 53.4 inches
Fargo Nov. 2 Sep. 25, 1912 49.5 inches
Omaha Nov. 10 Sep. 29, 1985 28.4 inches
Cleveland Nov. 10 Oct. 2, 2003 68.3 inches
Des Moines Nov. 10 Oct. 10, 2009 36.8 inches
Milwaukee Nov. 13 Oct. 6, 1889 49.3 inches
Detroit Nov. 15 Oct. 12, 2006 43.8 inches
Chicago Nov. 16 Oct. 12, 2006 37.1 inches
Columbus Nov. 20 Oct. 10, 1906 27.1 inches
Indianapolis Nov. 23 Oct. 18, 1989 25.5 inches
Kansas City Nov. 27 Oct. 17, 1898 18.2 inches
Cincinnati Nov. 28 Oct. 19, 1989 21.3 inches
St. Louis Dec. 3 Oct. 20, 1916 17.7 inches
Wichita Dec. 3 Oct. 22, 1996 15 inches
Louisville Dec. 8 Oct. 19, 1989 13.4 inches

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/first-snow-average-date

Portage Michigan is about half-way between Chicago and Detroit so there are two techniques I use to maintain my ability to proudly say “I have not turned on my furnace yet” even when the temps get chilly:

  1. Use the oven
  2. knitting

Making a pumpkin pie or roasting some vegetables is a great way to get your kids to stop complaining about the cold.  Here is what I prepared today …

IMG_4471
Roasted brussels sprouts, potatoes and cauliflower rice drizzled with Siracha.

This was a good way to keep the oven on for at least 45 min shoveling trays in and out at 425 degrees.  Just in case I am the only one who eats the brussels sprouts I baked an Apple Dapple Cake (sans frosting) to make sure everyone has a full tummy.

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I could not bring myself to add the frosting after dumping two cups of sugar into the batter.  The cake kept the oven on for one hour and we are all pretty happy about that with overnight temps in the 40’s.

The other approach is knitting.  This is the time of year we start wearing hats in the house; including snuggly sweatshirts, socks and scarves.  I have just finished knitting for my new grand niece and can begin everyone’s hat for this year any time.  Here is a collection of hats made last year; most of them gifted.

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This mini Mackintosh Jacket will need to wait for the little one to grow into it.  However, having the yarn piled into your lap is a nice way to stay warm. Here’s to making it to Halloween before turning on the furnace, wish me luck!

D.I.Y. Halloween Wreath

Halloween Wreath made from grapevine, toy snakes and spray paint.
Halloween wreath.

So Pinterest is a wealth of inspiration and with a trip to your Dollar Store and some spray paint you can make this basic snake wreath in a couple hours. For a couple more dollars you can give it some flair with a skeleton and roses.  Keep reading to learn how.

Getting Started

If you have access to some vines (grapevines or Virginia creeper for example) you have a free resource.  See my blog post on working with grapevines to get this basic wreath shape https://piratepieman.home.blog/2018/09/25/grapevine-time. Or, you can purchase a grapevine wreath from your local craft store.  Joanne’s Fabrics and Michaels are always running a promotion or offer a coupon so depending on the size you want this could cost about $5-$10.

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Grapevine Wreath

Supplies You Need

  • vine wreath
  • cool temp mini glue gun
  • wire
  • wire cutters
  • pliers
  • spray paint- metallic bronze
  • dollar store: skull, snakes, bugs, flowers, skeleton hand tongs, ribbon, mini hat

Supplies needed
Dollar Store embelishments

 Assembly

I used a combination of wire and hot glue to affix the snakes and bugs to the wreath.  I also wove the snakes in among the vines; do what works to keep them secure.

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Add dollar store snakes

When everything is attached begin spray painting.  It is easy to miss spots because of all of the twisty vines and snakes so take time to walk around the project and turn it around so that you get an even application.   This process may take a couple coats.  I did mine outside so clean up was simple and the area was well ventilated.

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Halloween Wreath made from grapevine, toy snakes and spray paint.

This is where going back to Pinterest is a lot of fun.  People are super creative and I was inspired by wreaths using skeletons.  I found a simple skeleton head, some arms and black roses with eyeballs at the Dollar Store.  As you can see I thought I would use the black spooky fabric in my design but instead used some gold mesh ribbon; do what appeals to you.  I poked holes in the back of the skull and threaded wire through to secure it to the wreath.

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I got my Halloween Box up from the basement and repurposed a costume headband.  I found the key to this project was the even application of the snakes all around the wreath and then using a pop of color to add some luxury and visual interest.

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Halloween wreath.

In past years I have hung the basic snake wreath with just a bow and I liked how the snakes are camouflaged and hidden in the simple design.  However this year I decided to change things and added embellishments.  About every other year I find I get a little tired of my designs and I take items off or just add new elements so that I am excited to see it on display.

Happy Halloween!