Valentine's Day Straw Heart

 

Materials:

Straw wreath base (various sizes available)

Floral wire (thin and thick gauges)

Wire cutters

Dried flowers:

Red roses (different sizes)

Red rosebuds

White baby's breath

Purple sea lavender

Purple larkspur (optional: other blue or purple flowers)

• Ribbon in a Valentine's Day colour (red, pink, white with red hearts)
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dried Flowers: If necessary, trim the stems of the dried flowers to a manageable length. You can leave some longer for a more natural look or keep them shorter for a tighter arrangement.
2. Secure the Ribbon: Cut a length of ribbon long enough to wrap around the wreath and create a bow. Thread one end of the ribbon through the inner straw ring of the wreath and secure it with a piece of floral wire twisted tightly. Wrap the ribbon around the wreath, tucking it under the straw as you go for a neat finish. Tie a bow and secure the remaining ribbon tail with floral wire.
3. Attaching Larger Flowers (Roses): For the roses, use the thicker floral wire. Cut a piece of wire and wrap one end around the stem of a rose securely. Twist the excess wire to create a small hook. Find a spot on the wreath where you want the rose and gently push the hook into the straw. Wrap the remaining floral wire around a nearby straw section to secure the rose in place. Repeat this process for other large flowers like rosebuds.
4. Adding Smaller Flowers: Use the thinner floral wire for smaller and more delicate flowers like baby's breath, sea lavender, and larkspur. You can twist a few stems together and secure them with a piece of wire before attaching them to the wreath. Push the wired end into the straw and wrap the excess wire around a nearby straw section for a secure hold.
5. Building Layers and Dimension: Start with larger flowers like roses towards the back for a base layer. Layer smaller flowers and baby's breath in front for added texture and visual interest.
6. Filling in Gaps: Once you've attached most of the flowers, take a step back and assess your wreath. Fill in any empty spaces with additional baby's breath, sea lavender, or larkspur.
7. Optional Hot Glue: If some flowers are particularly fragile or difficult to secure with wire, you can use a small dab of hot glue to adhere them to the straw wreath.
8. Let Your Creativity Shine! The beauty of this project lies in its customisation. Experiment with different flower combinations, placement, and ribbon colours to create a Valentine's Day wreath that reflects your unique style.

Tips:

• Choose dried flowers in various sizes and textures for a more visually interesting wreath.
• Work gently with dried flowers as they can be fragile.
• Secure the floral wire tightly to ensure the flowers stay in place over time.
• Consider using a variety of purples and blues for the larkspur or other flowers to create a colour palette that complements the red roses.
• If using hot glue, be sparing to avoid damaging the dried flowers.
• Allow the glue to dry completely before hanging the wreath.
• Display your beautiful creation on a door, wall, or window for a touch of rustic Valentine's Day charm!