Saturday, July 28, 2012

Succulents Galore!


It looks as though I haven't blogged in almost 2 years! That sounds about right since I've been getting my Master's for the last 2+ years. I'm happy to say that Monday will be my last day of class and then I'll have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and a teaching credential! It's a perfect degree for a crafty auntie I'd say ;) So, I have a little catching up to do with my crafting and telling you all about it.

Yesterday my 8 year old niece, Maya, my sister in law, Linda, and my good friend, Thea, (and Maya's 1st and 2nd grade teacher), made succulent wreaths! I have been kinda addicted to succulents the last few weeks and after getting a Groupon to the California Cactus Center, I have been obsessed. I found the tutorial from a pin on Pinterest from Prudent Baby.

Simple & Stunning Living Succulent Wreath

Over the last couple of weeks Linda and I have been gathering succulent clippings. You can cut branches off of existing plants and they will grow back. You just need to cut them a few days early so the roots can dry prior to re-planting or adding to the wreath. Here is some of the loot:



We also picked up all the necessary materials:


1. Wreath frames: 12" green, wire frame - $2.79/each at Michael's


2. Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss (make sure to get the Long Fibered, NOT the Sphagnum Peat Moss - it will not stay in the wreath): $3.97 at Home Depot (enough for about 3 wreaths)


3. Wire for wrapping the wreath: about $3 at Michael's (enough for more than 3 wreaths)


4. Rooting Hormone (optional but I think will be very beneficial to speed up the rooting process): $5.48 for 2 oz. at Home Depot (enough for a ton of wreaths - yes that's the technical amount ;D)


5. Floral pins or bobby pins for securing the clippings in the wreath: about $3-5 at Michael's for 50 floral pins (enough for 2-3 wreaths depending on how many clippings you use) - bobby pins worked just as well!

Then, we started filling our wreaths with the moss that we had soaked in water per the Prudent Baby tutorial.



After we wrapped the first layer of moss in the wreath, we added a second layer and wrapped again.

Next, we made holes in the moss with a pen or corer to put the clippings in. We dipped the clipping root in the powder rooting hormone and secured it in the hole with the pins. This really was the fun part because we got to design our wreaths however we wanted! Here are some of the final pix!

My wreath

 Linda's wreath

 Maya's wreath
Maya and Linda's' wreaths respectively

Thea's wreath


I'll update the post when I get a picture of Thea's. 

This project was fun to do as a group! We already want to make more for gifts...