The winter months of January to March can be difficult for many people. The winter blues can be a real hard truth. It’s not surprising – the weather is cold and unpleasant, and the days are so short. For lots of people, the end of the holiday season can be hard, too. In fact, the third Monday in January is commonly referred to as Blue Monday. Although there isn’t much hard science to back up this day as being the most depressing of the year, the winter seasons after the holidays are known for being the hardest for many people.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) impacts a lot of people during these months. SAD is a type of depression associated with changes in seasons. It can make you feel exhausted, tearful, depressed, and generally very low. Some people experience it more than others.
Fight Back Against the Blues
If you’re looking to battle the winter blues, taking care of yourself is important. Experts recommend you don’t worry about setting yourself major new year’s resolutions that are challenging. Instead, focus on simple self care, and fit some fun and positive activities into your daily routine. That’s where crafting projects and DIY wreath making can really be a balm to the soul!
Focus on Self Care
The dark days of winter mean you probably aren’t getting enough sunlight That’s certainly true where Unique in the Creek is based in the Niagara Region of Canada. The grey skies are strongly linked with seasonal affective disorder, and can really make you feel low.
A bit of colour around the house can really do wonders for your mood. While fresh flowers are nice, we all know how quickly they can die. That’s why making a flower wreath is so nice! You don’t have to water it and one wreath is impactful enough to equal a giant bouquet of flowers. Colour plays a strong role in emotions so this is a great time of year to make a bright pink, red, or yellow flower wreath for maximum impact.
Looking forward to something, and planning fun activities or events help focus you on more positive times, to pull through the darker, dismal days. That could be something big, like planning a vacation, but planning crafting and wreath projects for spring and Easter can be equally as effective for your mood.
Focus on Fun
Getting a little colour in your life and home is a great way to beat the blues, and experts suggest it’s actually surprisingly effective. Pair that with a creative activity that you enjoy and you can double down on the winter blues.
Set aside a little time for yourself for some hands-on creativity. We recommend making a beautiful DIY flower wreath. It could be our signature rose, a sunflower wreath, a daisy, or another favourite flower. The resulting wreath will brighten up your home, and you’ll have fun doing it. Every time you look at it, you can feel proud knowing you made it yourself with your own hands and that satisfaction can also be great for your mood
Hobbies keep you busy when it’s yucky out and doing something for yourself really does help you feel better. Crafts and wreath making are especially good for mental health. In fact, research indicates that crafts of any type improve your mood and self-confidence, while lowering stress overall. Win:win!
You can see why crafts like these beautiful flower wreaths are great for bolstering your mood. They look cheery, and will remind you of springtime to come. (Looking forward to things is another way experts recommend combating winter and seasonal depression).
Be sure to check out our Wreath Kits to see what flowers and designs are currently in stock.
Wreath making is a great way to create a bit of “you time”, and that’s good for your mental health and spiritual health. It’s so easy to focus on responsibilities to everyone else, but trust us when we say that it’s important to prioritize yourself too.
In addition to decorating your own home, it can feel great to give at this time of year. You’re not the only one who is feeling low at this time of year. Perk up a friend who is also fighting the winter blues by making a wreath for their home. They’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness, and you can feel good about it too, while enjoying the wreath making process.
So perk yourself up, and get wreathing! A flower wreath will make you feel boosted in no time.
Just getting started? You’ll find everything you need in our shop and be sure to check out our YouTube channel for hundreds of free tutorials and replays so you can follow along and learn our unique wreath making process.
And remember, you’re feeling depressed, be sure to talk to someone. You don’t have to go it alone.
The Christmas and holiday season can be difficult for some people in under-served parts of our community. We’re especially thinking about nursing home residents. For some people, it may be their first Christmas in a nursing home and away from their family. And with the seasonal rise in increased health precautions, many residents may not be able to see their families at all.
The Last Few Years Have Been Rough!
Thinking about the last couple of Covid Christmases, the holiday season has really changed for nursing home residents. It can be a really sad and lonely time. So if anyone could use a little cheer, we think it’s them.
Despite all the challenges, experts and nursing home carers emphasize that it’s important for their residents to mark the celebration, acknowledging and celebrating it, even if it’s limited. And that’s where your beautiful handmade wreaths made with love can come in.
A Gesture Close to Our Hearts
If you’ve been following along with Laurie for a few years, you’ll know that this is an effort close to her heart.
A great way to make a nursing home feel more “homey” over the holidays is to make a homemade wreath or centrepiece to spread cheer and make the nursing home look more festive.
Donating a wreath (or two or more) is such a thoughtful gesture and means the world for these residents. Giving a little of your time and effort to the people in a nursing home in your area can turn a potentially stressful and dark time into the bright and happy time it’s supposed to be.
Put A Smile On Some Faces
Just think about how every time the residents look at your wreath it will put a smile on their face. Your time and caring can make them feel included, cared for, and remembered – and that’s exactly what the Christmas season is supposed to be all about!
If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one in a home, you could choose to give some wreaths there, or you could find a residence in your local area. Either way, this is your chance to make the holiday season a little more special for them. Just think about the holiday cheer you could spread to don’t have any family. We promise you, any caring gesture you make over the holidays would be appreciated.
A beautiful, hand-made wreath shows those in a nursing home that they haven’t been forgotten and that someone cares about them. They’ll so appreciate the thoughtfulness and love that went into creating your homemade DIY wreath.
One of the great things about a Christmas wreath is that it can brighten up a whole common area, becoming a point of conversation for the residents. Lots of people will be able to see what you’ve made and be cheered by it, too.
Your creativity and effort will show you care, and it has the side benefit of getting you more into the Christmas spirit!
Think Local
If you are donating to nursing homes where you do not know anyone, but want to bring joy to everyone, check with your local nursing home to ensure they are accepting decorations. Most will be happy to hear from you but it’s always good to double check. Nursing home caretakers appreciate your efforts too, as they know how much it will mean to their residents.
This can also be an opportunity for your whole family to get crafty together and then deliver the finished wreaths as a special activity in the right holiday spirit.
Check online for nursing homes near you that could benefit from your time and care. Canadahelps.org has additional resources to help you.
We’d Love To See Photos 📷
Please, if you do share wreaths with your local nursing home residents, we would love to see photos! Join the Unique Wreath Creators group and drop some pictures for us. It would mean so much to Laurie and all of the team here.
Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday season,
You know we love to countdown to Christmas around here and the holiday season is nearly upon us! Which means the decorating prep is already in full swing. And we’re so excited to tell you about our perfect DIY Christmas Wreath Kits!
It’s the perfect time to start decorating if you haven’t already. Before you know it, December 1st will be here so it’s a great time to start making your Christmas wreath decorations now. We know lots of people have started getting ready along with us since back in October (and even in September) because we truly believe that it’s never too early to start!
No Need to Hunt Around for Wreath & Crafting Materials
One thing about Christmas crafting and wreath making is that it can be frustrating when you you can’t find the materials you need. There’s nothing worse than when you start on a project, find most of the things you need, but can’t get one or two of the final wreath materials. And nobody should feel frustrated doing a holiday craft or when getting ready for Christmas. It should be fun and satisfying.
That’s why if you want to make sure that you have everything you need for the perfect holiday wreath, you’ve got to check out our terrific selection of DIY wreath kits for Christmas. Especially at this time of year, sometimes you can run into difficulties getting what you need on time, but with one of these holiday wreath kits, everything comes right to your door, all in one package. And with all of the items hand-picked by Laurie to go beautifully together, you can’t go wrong.
Here are a few of the wreath kits currently in stock:
These wreath kits are easy enough to make that you can create a beautiful wreath, even if you’re a beginner. On the other hand, they’re still so satisfying to make for veteran wreath makers. Even if you have made lots of wreaths before, you’ll still love working with these kits. Plus, our wreath system is so flexible, there’s a ton of room for creativity, so you can get creative with your own unique twists on the kits to make whatever you can imagine.
With our kits, we’ve taken our unique wreath making system (which already makes wreath making a million times easier and more fun than traditional methods) and we’ve made it even more of accessible by including everything you need to make a perfect wreath all in one convenient kit.
How It Works
1. Start with a UITC™ board. (The board is included with the kit.)
2. Choose your materials; mesh, ribbon & more. (All the materials are included with the kit.)
3. Use zipties to attach your materials to the board. (Yep, zipties are included too!)
4. Add accessories, wreath signs & finishing touches. (All the perfect accessories in the kit is hand-picked by Laurie.)
5. Beautiful results every time! Just follow along with our YouTube tutorials and live rep.
The process looks something like this:
Prepare your wreath board:
Use zipties to attach your mesh and materials:
Add the finishing touches:
Absolutely beautiful results every time!
Not Just For Doors
One of the things that we love here at Unique in the Creek is how these wreaths are perfect for decorating all around the house. They aren’t just for hanging on doors. They’re great for adding a bit of cheery Christmas decor to hang on walls, banisters, columns, and all sorts of different places.
You can hang a beautiful Christmas wreath above your mantel, on closet doors, against a window, or even on the backs of dining room chairs. You can also use a holiday wreath as centerpiece decoration for a dessert table or on your dining table for Christmas dinner. They’re a great way to add a personal touch to your Christmas decorating.
You’re also going to love that these holiday wreaths are simple to hang. They make an easy way to decorate an area that sometimes doesn’t get decorated, and they don’t take up floor space, so they’re good for small rooms.
Christmas Tree Wreath Kits
In our Christmas Tree wreath kits, you get everything you need sent right to your door, which is so convenient! Just jump right in and get started. You get one of our sturdy patented triangle shaped UITC Wreath Boards and all of the mesh, ribbon, zipties, and other pieces you need to make a stunning finished product.
We actually have eleven different wreath boards, but the triangle shape is perfect for Christmas trees and holiday gnomes.
When Laurie came up with the concept for these boards, she designed them to be strong enough to handle the elements outdoors, so you don’t have to worry about outdoor placements. And the holes are perfectly situated for attaching your mesh, ribbons, and other materials.
The wreath kits also include full rolls of mesh for the ‘body’ of your wreath, so there’s enough to follow the tutorial (all available on YouTube), or do your own thing and get creative with your wreath. Laurie hand picks perfect ribbons to go with the mesh rolls. For example, for our 2022 Elegant Christmas Tree Wreath, she hand selected Sage Winter Foliage to complement the Sage Foil Mesh, and for modern 2022 Modern Christmas Tree Wreath, she picked Black/Red/White/Gold tree ribbon to contrast with the White Snowdrift mesh.
Cute little signs come in these kits as well, perfect for finishing off your wreath. You don’t have to use these signs, the wreaths look beautiful plain, too, but the signs do add a little extra jolly cheer.
More Christmas Wreath Kit Designs
If you prefer a traditional round wreath, there are more DIY wreath kits to choose from. We have a beautiful poinsettia wreath kit that also has everything you need for a perfect Red Poinsettia Wreath.
You also get all the little practical things you need in the wreath kits, including the zip ties to hold everything on to your board, so you really don’t need anything of your own except scissors.
Using these zipties to attach your mesh, ribbons, and materials right onto the board, instead of the old fashioned method of wrapping everything around a frame, saves on the amount of materials you actually use, so there’s less waste.
We also have some fun and quirky holiday wreath kits. Be sure to check what’s in stock for this year, but at the time of writing this we can’t resist also mentioning the Santa Spy Cam Wreath Kit! Santa is spying on you to see if you’re naughty or nice. 😆
Christmas Gift Ideas
These kits also make a great gift. Why not give a wreath kit to a friend or loved one for a fun DIY activity and a beautiful finished wreath made with their own two hands. You could also make the wreath yourself nd give the finished product as a gift, fully completed. A handmade wreath is a perfect gift for some of those hard-to-buy-for people.
This is such a special time of year, and getting ready for the holiday season with handmade crafts like these wreaths is a great way to build anticipation and get into the spirit. Which wreath kit will you choose? Click here to see what’s currently in stock!
Hi Wreath Lovers! We’re so glad you’ve stopped by to read this blog post in which we’re going to dish the dirt on one of our favourite topics: how to choose the best wreath materials and crafting supplies. This is such an important topic and it includes some of the juiciest stuff that any crafter or wreath maker will definitely want to pay attention to!
If you’ve ever watched any of Laurie’s videos and live replays (there are hundreds on our YouTube channel) then you know that we’re very REAL around here. There are no smoke and mirrors, just honesty from one crafter to another. Laurie likes to tell it exactly like it is, and that includes giving advice on how to save money with clever hacks like the tips we provided in this blog post: How to Wreath on a Budget Using Upcycled Materials.
However, though it’s important to know when and how to save money, it’s equally important to know when NOT to scrimp and save. As savvy crafters, it’s critical to know exactly when to spend just a tiny bit more to get authentic and QUALITY materials and supplies.
We promise that the tips we share in this blog post will still result in beautiful wreaths made with fewer materials than traditional wreathing methods, and that your finished wreaths will be able to stand up to the elements. Because who wants to make a wreath that ends up in the garbage after two weeks? No thanks!
The Best Wreath Materials
Here at Unique in the Creek, we’re obsessed with making wreaths! It’s our very favourite thing in the world — right after family, Disney, and the colour bright pink! And it’s our passion to create and source the very best wreath materials you’ll find anywhere, whether that be in a brick-and-mortar store, or in an online retail space!
First things first, let’s talk about the foundation for every sturdy and beautiful wreath. This is your base. Your anchor. Your structure. This is the foundation you’ll build on, so it needs to be strong, tested, and foolproof. That’s right, it all starts with your wreath board!
We now make 11 different kinds of patented wreath boards for all of your wreath and home decor projects:
The wreath board is the main supply you need to take especially seriously to ensure that your wreath will survive the first rainfall of the season or big gust of wind.
Ever since Laurie invented the patented UITC™ Wreath Boards, DIY wreath making has never been easier or more reliable. Our Wreath Making Boards are designed with you, our makers, in mind. Now wreath making takes less time, fewer materials, and you get gorgeous results every time!
Our boards are made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic. They’re light-weight but completely durable. These are boards you can rely on. Best of all, they’re easy to use and perfectly suited to any skill level.
The full board design and “Unique” streamlined system means no more twisting materials or pipe cleaners around your wreath base, no more gaps or holes in your design, and a tidy back that also won’t rust or damage doors. If you can imagine it, UITC™ Wreath Boards can help you create it easily and beautifully! And yes, we’re on Amazon!
Beware of Imitation Wreath Supplies
There’s nothing sadder than when someone reaches out to us because they’ve accidentally purchased an imitation wreath board and inevitably, it always results in all sorts of problems.
First of all, UITC™ designs don’t work on imitation boards because the holes aren’t in the right positions. That means you won’t be able to use any of our extensive resources, like our video replays and tutorials, to create consistently beautiful finished wreaths.
Second, the quality of these knock-offs is terrible, and your finished work just ends up in the trash within a few weeks because the board isn’t designed to withstand the elements.
So, even though it may have seemed like a “deal” to save just a few cents to get this imitation product, you end up spending more money because the whole wreath has to be disposed of. It’s such a shame!
You can avoid this headache by ensuring you always choosing items trademarked UNIQUE IN THE CREEK™ or UITC™.
Mesh, Ribbon, Wreath Signs & More Crafting Materials
At the time we’re writing this, you’ll probably be aware that there have been some supply chain issues as a result of global events. Hopefully if you come across this blog several months down the road this will be a thing of the past and the supply chain will have corrected itself.
But even with these supply issues, you can be sure that you won’t find a better selection of the best quality wreath materials at the best possible prices than here at uniqueinthecreek.com.
Let’s take a quick look at just a few of the items you’ll find in our shop.
Mesh
This is just a small selection of our mesh. The product list will default to show you the most recent additions of mesh to our shop:
This is just a small selection of our vinyl decals, for use on our Character and Rail Wreath Boards. The product list will default to show you the most recent additions of vinyl decals to our shop:
We also carry a variety of wreath and crafting accessories, all handpicked by Laurie who is an avid crafter herself. She’s picked these to complement a variety of seasonal wreath and crafting designs. Check back regularly, you never know what goodies you’ll find!
Ultimately, when you’re looking for the very best wreath materials, you need to look no further than right here at Unique in the Creek! We’ve got it all, personally selected with love by Laurie. We’re a family business that genuinely cares about our wreath community. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team at info@uniqueinthecreek.com. Happy shopping and wreathing!
Fall is one of the very best times of year to be creative with your home decor. With Thanksgiving it’s all about the abundance of the fall harvest and with Halloween you can go cute, creepy, or scary. There are just so many creative Halloween wreath and Thanksgiving decorating ideas that we’d love to share with you, so let’s dive in!
Are you more of a Halloween wreath type of person…
Here are just a few creative Halloween wreath ideas!
…or do you get more excited by the fall harvest and Thanksgiving decor?
And here are just a few Thanksgiving decorating ideas!
Or why not choose both Halloween and Thanksgiving? Around here, we love all of the fall holidays and all of the creative home decor possibilities associated with them.
Choose Your Own Halloween & Thanksgiving Adventure
There are just so many fantastic crafting opportunities this time of year and every decision you make is an opportunity for CREATIVITY. From your wreath board to your mesh, ribbon, colour choices, and all of your accessories like wreath signs and attachments, every item will contribute to making your wreath unique and personal.
At Unique in the Creek, we now have ELEVEN different types of patented wreath boards! The shape, size, and design of each wreath board lends itself to a new opportunity for your unique ideas. This is where the creative magic starts! Which wreath board will you use?
The UITC™ Wreath Board is the beginning of your wreath making journey. The principle is simple but brilliant: Use zip ties to load your board and then you’ll be able to attach any materials you’d like to create your Halloween or Thanksgiving wreath.
Here you can see Laurie attaching yellow mesh to a board that she has loaded with zip ties to create a beautiful sunflower, perfect for fall:
With this clever and easy system, you’ll get beautiful results every time!
Halloween Wreath & Thanksgiving Decor Materials
Next you’ll pick your colours and materials, which usually begins by choosing up to three colours of mesh. You may just choose one colour of mesh, while designs like our Ombre Flower Wreaths use three colours. Also remember that you can make your wreath with other materials like ribbon, fabric, etc.
Keep in mind that the mesh that’s shown here is simply a default selection of the most recently added to our shop. We add new mesh and materials to our shop every day and we have literally THOUSANDS of products to choose from with a massive selection for fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving designs.
Next, choose your other materials, ribbons, and accessories. Again, please keep in mind that the products displayed here are simply the most recently added to our shop. Browse our huge selection and be inspired by the extensive selection!
A perfect finishing touch to a Halloween or Thanksgiving wreath is often a Wreath Sign. You won’t be disappointed by our selection here either! There are so many options to choose from and your choice will help add personality to your finished design.
Some of our favourite styles of wreaths for fall are the ones that incorporate a cute and seasonal face into the middle, like our signature Scarecrow Wreath.
This type of wreath is usually made on a UITC™ Character Wreath Board! If you ever see a cute pumpkin wreath or a bewitching witch wreath with the face set back in the centre, the maker likely achieved that look by applying a vinyl decal to the centre of the Character Board.
Here are just a few examples of some fall and Halloween vinyl decals:
But the possibilities don’t end there! Again, we have ELEVEN different wreath boards to choose from and each type of board lends itself to new creative possibilities. We recently added the new UITC™Rectangle Board to the shop, which we’re really excited about. With this new “swag” board, which comes in a 2-pack, not only can you create rectangle-shaped wreaths, but you can also put the rectangles together to make new creatively-shaped wreath designs and centrepieces too!
Just look at this stunning piece of Thanksgiving home decor that Laurie made made using the Rectangle Board! It can also be placed on your dinner table as a centrepiece.
Halloween and Thanksgiving Tutorials & Live Replays
Laurie has made hundreds of videos showing how she creates her unique designs. These are often live replays where she explains and shows everything step-by-step. Have a look at this video where she makes a turkey wreath for Thanksgiving. Isn’t it cute???
Here’s an absolutely adorable and stylish fall wreath that has been a big hit on Facebook and Pinterest:
And everybody just loves this Trick or Treat wreath for Halloween!
Follow along with Laurie’s video replays below to learn how to make your very own Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Autumn wreath designs from our YouTube channel.
CLICK HERE for the Fall, Autumn, and Thanksgiving playlist:
Laurie isn’t the only creative mind at Unique in the Creek. We recently held our second edition of Wreath Wars, this time between Tanya and Tina Kelly. Though Tanya isn’t even a wreath maker herself, she gave Tina Kelly a good run for her money in this friendly little competition!
And just to get your creative juices flowing, here are a few others we thought you’d enjoy!
As you can see, the sky is the limit when it comes to creating fun and creative Halloween wreaths and Thanksgiving decorations. So now we’d like to know, what will you make???
Get started now and let your creativity run wild! Click here for wreath boards, materials, supplies, kits, and more. Don’t forget to tag #uniqueinthecreek in your photos on Instagram so we can see and share your creations!
When you see a stunning fall wreath design you may think, how could I possibly make something so beautiful myself??? We’ve got your back!! Fall wreath making has never been easier than with the UITC™ wreath making system. Follow our step by step Beginners Guide to Fall Wreath Making to get started and hit the ground running. You’ll be making gorgeous DIY fall decor in no time!
There’s Value in the Wreath Making Process
First things first, we want to emphasize the value of the wreath making process itself. Here’s a bit of back story:
Laurie Franklin is the creative force behind Unique in the Creek. She’s our CEO, inventor, and creative visionary. Thanks to her, wreath making techniques have completely evolved over the last few years. You see back in the day, Laurie taught DIY workshops but she could see that old wreath making methods were cumbersome and frustrating for beginner students, not to mention that it took a lot of materials to make a wreath which could get really expensive.
The old methods were very discouraging for beginners who wanted to make their first fall wreath. Laurie thought to herself, there’s got to be a better way…
That’s when Laurie came up with the Unique in the Creek wreath making process as seen in this guide. She came up with a way for people to make gorgeous, fun wreaths easily from the comfort of their own homes. It’s a unique twist on traditional wreath making!
This unique twist on traditional wreath making saves you time and materials, because our wreath boards and system are designed by makers for makers.
Before we jump into it…
Here’s just a sneek peek!
Before we get into all of the details, let’s see Laurie in action making a gorgeous fall wreath.
We’re going to walk you through the process but here you can start to see that Laurie’s innovative process using a wreath board that she invented makes adding materials to create a wreath so easy and convenient.
Welcome to a brand new DIY wreath making experience!
Let’s dive in to the process.
Fall Wreath Making Starts with UITC™ Wreath Boards
Every beautiful fall wreath starts with a Unique In The Creek™ wreath board. This is the key to Laurie’s system. She designed these innovative boards to simplify the DIY wreath making process. They’re sturdy, made from recycled materials, and can withstand the elements outdoors.
There are 10 different shaped shaped boards to choose from or you can pick up a Starter Pack with our 5 most popular boards.
Because the boards are so durable, you can re-use the boards again and again. While the mesh and other materials you use may fade in the sun over time, you can simple remove all of the materials and start fresh on the same board.
Believe us, the old system used wire frames that were just such a pain to work with and they required many more materials to create a wreath. Consider yourself lucky to be making a beginner fall wreath now with the new wreath boards and wreath making system!
No matter which board you choose, the core method is the same: You’ll use zip ties (aka cable ties) and the holes in the board to affix your materials to the board. The only limit to what you can create for fall is your imagination!
Step 1: Choose your board
The Large Board is our classic round board that’s also often called the Flower Board. There is also a Small Board version that you can make the same exact design on, but on a smaller scale. The Ring Board and Oval Board are also classic shapes to give you the feeling of a more traditional looking wreath.
If you’d like to affix a face or imagery to your board, you have two ways of doing so. You can choose the Character Board, which has space to apply a vinyl decal in the centre of the board. This is popular for a lot of fall wreath designs like scarecrows with adorable face decals used in the centre of the wreath. Or, after creating your wreath on any of the 10 boards, you can attach a wreath sign at the end, which adds another layer of dimension to your wreath.
The Triangle Board is a seasonal favourite for fall and the holidays. For example, you can use it to make a gnome wreath, an angel wreath, or you can make Laurie’s viral holiday design by using this board to make a Christmas tree wreath.
Our all new Rectangle Board is a game changer! You can use this board for centrepieces and other creative designs by connecting each piece with zip ties. Use a single board or multiple, the choice is up to you!
The Rail Board, Wing Board, Horse Board, and Cross Board each offer unique design possibilities. For today’s step by step guide we’ll be featuring the Large Board, but be sure to check out our YouTube playlists for ideas for each and every type of board.
Step 2: Use zip ties to attach your materials to the board
You can either load your board with zip ties as you go, or you can pre-load your board. Here’s a short tutorial that shows you how to load your wreath board with zip ties:
This tutorial shows you how to to pre-load your board:
Step 3: Add your materials
The next step in the fall wreath making process is where you give shape to your wreath by choosing your materials. Many fall wreaths are made using mesh, but you can also use foam, ribbon, fabric, or any other material you’d like.
Once you’ve selected your materials, you’ll add them to the board using the zip ties:
There are so many ways to fold your materials to give the aesthetic you’re looking for. Laurie has created an entire Beginner Wreath Making playlist on YouTube to show you dozens of ways to fold your materials as well as other handy DIY wreath making tips.
As you continue to add your materials to the board, at times it will be useful to flip the board over to add materials from the back. Here you can see Laurie tucking in mesh to look like leaves peeking out from the flower petals:
Here’s Laurie adding the finishing touch, a flower centre, in the middle of her fall sunflower wreath:
Let’s look at another example of a fall flower wreath. This is a very popular fall ombre flower wreath made using three different shades of mesh:
Remember, you can use those zip ties to attach just about anything to your wreath!
In no time at all you’ll be putting the finishing touches on your fall wreath.
Watch the full live replay:
Both of those fall flower wreaths were made using the Large Board, but remember that you can use the exact same techniques on any board at all. We have tutorials for every type of board on our YouTube channel.
Fall Wreath Making – Example 3
Here is a fall wreath that Laurie made using the Rail Board. Here, you can see that not all wreaths on our boards are made with mesh!
By using different combinations of materials you get unique and beautiful results! And it’s just so easy with Laurie’s wreath making system!
Click here to watch the full live replay:
BONUS: Holiday Wreath – Example 4
We’ve just launched our new Rectangle Board and with the holidays just around the corner, we’re throwing in this bonus example to get you thinking about the festive season. There is so much you can do with the modular nature of this board. They come in 2-packs and the possibilities are truly endless!
Just like with our regular boards, you can attach any materials using cable ties (zip ties) to build your creation.
The finished product has a great dynamic and can fit on a pillar or narrow space just as well as on a door.
Watch the full video here to learn to #MakeitlikeLaurie:
And by the way, the Rectangle Board is also FANTASTIC for making a centrepiece for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table! Check out this video.
Fall Wreath Making Ideas, Tutorials & Replays
Remember, the above are just a few examples of fall wreaths that you can make using the UITC™ wreath making system. We have hundreds of live replays and tutorials on our YouTube channel so be sure to subscribe and hit the little bell so you’ll be notified of new videos.
When you’re just getting started with beginner wreath making, a terrific option is to start with one of our All-In-One Wreath Kits. We have new kits available all the time that change by season. They include the exact materials you need to make your first DIY wreath. Click here to see what wreath kits are currently available.
DIY Fall Wreath Making Has Never Been Easier!
We’re so excited for you to use the steps we’ve outlined in this guide to get started with your own fall wreath making. Remember, we have all of the materials you need in our shop and hundreds of tutorials and live replays on our YouTube channel.
Also, if you’re kind and supportive, we’d love to invite you to join the Unique Creators Facebook group. This is a very warm and helpful community group that’s perfect for beginners. You can get inspiration from other wreath makers, ask for advice, and share photos of your creations. We’d love to see what you make!
Just six months until Christmas… which means it’s time to start your DIY holiday decor now! 😂🎄🥳
But seriously, it’s no secret that we absolutely love Christmas around here. And it really does pay off when you start your crafting, wreathing, and DIY gift making early. Getting started now alleviates the time crunch in late November, it spreads out expenses so your credit card doesn’t take a big hit all at once, and it’s just plain fun!
Keep in mind that some of the best holiday creativity takes place in the summer. Did you know that “The Christmas Song” (otherwise known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) was written in July on a blistering hot summer’s day? Clearly, Robert Wells and Mel Tormé had the right idea dreaming about the holiday season while sitting by the pool. 😎☀️
So kick off those flip flops, pour yourself a mojito, and ease into some relaxing festive crafting…
Christmas in July: Make a Plan
Now is your chance to create your vision for this holiday season. Maybe you’d like to establish a theme this year, with an emphasis on angels, or gnomes, or reindeer, or Santa and Mrs. Claus. Or maybe you’d like to unify your overall style aesthetic with a rustic or modern look or with a unified colour palette. The DIY holiday decor possibilities are endless and when you plan ahead, you actually have the time to execute that big vision without feeling rushed or running out of time.
BOARDS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Top row – Character Board, Cross Board, Large Board. Bottom row – Rail Board, Triangle Board, Large Board
DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
A gift made with your own hands truly comes from the heart. Your loved ones will appreciate whatever it is you make for them, but by planning now you have the luxury of time to consider what you’d enjoy making for them. And of course, at Unique in the Creek we’re obsessed with DIY wreath making!
A handmade wreath makes a wonderful piece of home decor for both outdoors and in. Plus, our wreath making system makes the Christmas wreath making process so easy and fun. You’re going to love that DIY feeling!
So start making that list and checking it twice:
Wreath Themes
Traditional Wreath
Christmas Tree
Angel
Gnome
Reindeer
Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus
Elf
Snowman
Poinsettia or other flower
Cross
Additional Considerations
Style (traditional, rustic, modern)
Colour palette
Destination (indoors, outdoors, on a door, fence, etc.)
Storage until the holidays
Materials needed
For your materials, consider what you already have that could be upcycled and integrated with new materials to create a gift that’s beautiful, cost effective, and sustainable!
BOARDS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Top row – Triangle Board, Character Board, Character Board. Bottom row – Oval Board, Rail Board, Triangle Board
DIY Home Decor starts with UITC™ Wreath Boards
Christmas wreath making, crafting, and DIY gift making all starts on our UITC™ Wreath Making Boards. Our wreath boards are the base for all your holiday wreath creations. You’ll love how they make the whole Christmas wreath and Christmas crafting process an absolute breeze!
These boards are where the DIY holiday decor magic really starts. All of our boards are made from 100% recycled plastic. They’re also weather-resistant, made to withstand all kinds of outdoor conditions. This is very important in the cold and snowy late fall and winter months! You can even re-use our boards if you’d prefer to make another design. They are durable and constructed to last!
Our Christmas tree, angel, and gnome wreath designs all use our Triangle Board. These are some of our most well-loved Christmas designs and it’s no wonder why Laurie’s original Christmas Tree Wreath went viral on Pinterest and is still wildly popular.
Add an adorable Santa, Mrs. Claus, or Frosty the Snowman face to your wreath by using the Character Wreath Board. These boards can also be used to add other imagery like a holiday greeting or cozy winter scene available as vinyl decals. That same imagery also works beautifully with our Rail Wreath Board to create a dynamic and festive piece of DIY home decor.
If you’re new to wreath making and looking for the perfect Christmas in July kickstart, grab a UITC Starter Pack to fire up your creative juices!
Anyone at any skill level can do it!
You don’t need any experience to start your Christmas in July wreath making. The same basic wreath making steps apply no matter which type of board you use. In the following examples, we’ve used the Triangle Wreath Board to show how to make Laurie’s viral Christmas Tree Wreath but it’s the same idea no matter which design you’re making.
First, load the board with zip ties.
Then use the zip ties to attach your mesh or other materials to the board.
Before long, you’ll have a gorgeous wreath to give as a gift or to hang in your home or on your door.
Here’s an example using the Character Wreath Board. In this case, you add your festive vinyl decal first.
Then add your zip ties and start attaching your mesh and other materials.
You’ll be so pleased with how it all comes together!
Free Wreath Making Tutorials & Live Replays
We have hundreds of live replays and DIY wreath making tutorials to give you inspiration and guide you through the wreath making techniques. Here are just a few videos from our Christmas Wreath Playlist on YouTube.
Featured Maker: Laurie Franklin
In our blogs we often post a featured wreath maker. For our Christmas in July blog, we figured what better creator to feature than Laurie herself from Unique in the Creek! After all, she was the first maker to create so many iconic designs like the viral Christmas Tree, Gnome, Angel, and others.
Also, Laurie is the innovator who came up with our unique patented wreath boards to make DIY wreath making a snap. That’s why every single wreath that you see in today’s blog was made by Laurie herself. 👏👏👏
If you love DIY holiday decor and Christmas as much as Laurie does, you’re going to have so much fun with Unique in the Creek! So be sure to join our community! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and join our Unique Creators Facebook Group!
Before you start your DIY home decor, we unfortunately need to give a little attention to knock-off boards. They’re out there, and we’ve been seeing them more and more. These boards are lower quality, are typically made overseas, and won’t work with our replays.
Authentic UITC™ Wreath Boards: 👍 Always have the UITC™ logo embossed on the back. ❤️ Are weather-proof and durable, made to withstand the elements. 👍 Have the holes laid out in a clear pattern. ❤️ Have clearly numbered rows of holes. 👍 Are the *only* boards that will work with #MakeitlikeLaurie replays & tutorials. ❤️ Are made here in North America!
Remember, when in doubt, genuine UITC™ Wreath Boards can be purchased through our online shop or through one of our Authorized Distributors. When you purchase your boards one of these ways, you are guaranteed to be “authentically unique!”
We hope you have a wonderful time with your Christmas in July decorating. Be sure to share your photos on social media and tag us in your finished designs! #uniqueinthecreek
Do you want to take your unique home decor projects to the next level?
If you’re a wreath maker or crafter, you might already be familiar with UITC™ Wreath Making Boards. Our boards help you create a stunning wreath, with less time and less materials than traditional wreathing methods.
But here’s a little secret, you can actually modify our boards OR our signature designs to create almost anything you can imagine! For instance, maybe you’d like to make a wreath in an unconventional shape. Or perhaps you’d like to make a large, show-stopping wall art piece. We can help and we have dozens of free videos to help you on your creating journey HERE.
We’ve always said that your imagination is your only limitation with our boards! This is even more true when you utilize board and design modifications to create a truly unique creation!
Laurie, founder and CEO of Unique in the Creek, showing off the Oval Wreath Board
Make Unique Home Decor with UITC™ Wreath Boards
UITC™ Wreath Boards are the base for all your wreath making and DIY home decor projects. They’re made entirely of 100% recycled plastic, they’re weather resistant and they can be reused! The best feature is the patterned holes to which you can attach all your materials easily and quickly. Our Boards are easy and fun to use; no matter your skill level, you get stunning results every time!
As of April 2022, we have 10 wreath boards available that you can use as-is or modify:
We recommend using zip ties with all of our wreath boards to attach your materials. You can use any material you wish as long as you can get a zip tie around it! This helps you use fewer materials so that the wreath making process is much more cost effective and environmentally friendly.
And speaking of materials, everything you need to make creative home decor is located in our online shop: from mesh, to ribbon, to wreath signs, to vinyls for our Character & Rail Wreath Boards, to all kinds of accessories, we have it all! We’re your one-stop shop for all your DIY home decor and wreath making needs.
Safety First While Modifying Your Wreath Boards
Before we dive into all the ways you can modify your UITC™ Wreath Boards, we must provide a little disclaimer.
When you’re cutting a board, drilling in extra holes to a board, or taking apart a board in any way, please remember that sharp, jagged edges and/or areas that are prone to snagging can be created in the process.
We recommend sanding down any areas where the board was cut or punctured to make those areas smooth. Not only will this stop materials from snagging or tearing, but it will also reduce the risk of anyone harming themselves on any sharp edges. UITC™ cannot be held liable for any injuries that may occur during or after the board modification process.
Make Unique Home Decor by Modifying a Wreath Board
So, what are some of the ways our wreath boards can be modified? We’re glad you asked! Our incredibly talented group of creators in the Unique Wreath Creators Facebook group have posted so many creative design ideas over the years using modified boards. We’d like to share some of them with you!
Cut the Wreath Board to Create a New Shape
Probably one of the most popular ways to modify a UITC™ Wreath Board is to simply remove a piece of it, creating a new shape.
Laurie’s Kentucky Derby wreath, made on a modified Oval Board
In the above wreath, Laurie, founder and CEO of Unique in the Creek, started with the Oval Wreath Board. She then cut off the bottom section, creating a horseshoe shape. Laurie then built a wreath upon the newly-modified board to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. It looks just like a wreath that could be hung around a winning horse’s neck. Beautiful!
Julie’s Basket of Flowers Wreath (L) and Dawn Shuler Downe’s American Wreath (R), both made on modified Wing Boards
In the above photos, Wing Wreath Boards were used. Both boards were modified differently by two separate creators to create two distinct designs. Note that with both designs, the Wing Board was rotated 90 degrees.
For her basket of flowers wreath, Julie O’Brien cut down one side of the Wing Board so it would resemble a basket. She left the other side of the board unmodified so that the flowers and greenery could be attached in such a way that make them look like they were bursting from the basket!
For her patriotic American wreath, Robin Shuler Downe cut off one entire side of the Wing Board, making it one wing instead of two. This gives the wreath a completely new shape!
Christmas Swag by Joan Kendall Ward (Bella Creations) on a modified Cross Board
If you’d like to make creative home decor in “straight line” design, you can chop off the sides of the Cross Wreath Board. Joan Kendall Ward did just that here to create this Christmas swag. Such festive results!
