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Live Love Craft

~ by Leonie Marie

Live Love Craft

Category Archives: Seasonal

Mother’s Meadow

15 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Leonie Marie in Dear Bundle, Spring

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Tags

expecting, flowers, grace, leonie marie, maternal, meadow, mother nature, mother's day, mother-to-be, picnic, secret, surprise

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Dear Bundle,

We discovered the most amazing place!!

Sunday was a Mother’s Day to remember. Even though you are not yet born, your dad wanted to make sure I knew just how much he loved and appreciated me for carrying his little Bundle. So that afternoon, without even a hint about where we were going or what we were doing, he packed us up a lunch, grabbed a blanket and told me to put on my walking shoes and bring my camera.

A picnic, I thought. Such a sweet idea… simple, quaint, kinda romantic… and definitely out of our ordinary. As we loaded into the car, I figured we were probably going to a park or to a lake or somewhere appreciable. But trying not to spoil my own surprise, as my sometimes overly-inquisitive mind often does, I did as I was told and tried not to ask too many questions. After a moderate drive away from town, he suddenly pulled off to the side of the road at what seemed like no destination at all. Looking around me, we were in the middle nowhere. Surrounded by nothing but wooded area, there were no people, no parking lot, no trail, no signage, and no way of knowing just what I was about to encounter.

We grabbed our gear and began walking through the brush and trees. The grass was so high it was hard to walk through, and with no landmarks in sight, I began to wonder just what he was thinking trolling a pregnant lady through all this terrain. Hopefully we weren’t going far.

Just then, I saw a clearing appear up ahead. And I could make out what seemed like a patch of red flowers. But as we got closer and the trees parted, I could see it wasn’t a patch of red flowers at all… It was whole field of red flowers! Suddenly I was standing in the middle of a breathtaking hidden meadow… and it was full of these stunning wild flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see. And the butterflies… the butterflies were everywhere! I just stood there speechless, gazing in amazement at the sight before me.

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My adorable husband was clearing a spot for the blanket where the trees met the meadow, and started setting up his picnic. He said he had stumbled upon this place when scouting off the beaten path just a week before. The remarkable thing is it’s in a public region, but there’s no map identifying its existence, no path to trace its whereabouts and no name that stakes its claim. We decided right then that we will call this place, “Mother’s Meadow.”

It was one of the most beautiful earthly things to me, partly I think because of the mystery it beared. Here we are engrossed in today’s industrious country, entangled in a coveted society. Yet, in the middle of it all, somehow is this magnificent concealed piece of unadulterated, uncharted territory… and we had it all to ourselves. Incredible. It was as if it had been placed there just for us to experience.

Mother Nature reminded me that day of the beauty and sacredness that is all around us. And I am humbled and honored to be a part of her design. Next year when you are here, we will take you to see this special secret place. Until then, may you always know the maternal grace that surrounds and nurtures you day by day. Grow healthy and strong, little one. The meadow awaits you.

Love Always,

Mom

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Your Christmas Wreath, Your Christmas Style.

17 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Leonie Marie in Christmas, Seasonal

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Tags

Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, christmas craft, DIY, Do it yourself, holiday, holiday craft, leonie marie, Ornaments, Pine Cones, traditions, Wreath

The Holiday Season is the pinnacle of traditions, relics and symbols. Everywhere you look you will find messages of peace, love and human compassion. We express them through our gifts, through our homes and through our communities. And as crafters, we tend to take our creative side to new heights, with inspirations to capture the holiday spirit through our own unique styles.

So how do you personify your Christmas style? Truly, the Christmas tree is more than likely the star of this show. In all it’s glory and extravagance, gleaming as the centerpiece of your decorated holiday home. However, it is the commission of another ornamental expression that may provide the first glimpse into capturing your holiday theme. The Christmas wreath, traditionally displayed prominently and proudly on your front door, can say a lot about your style.

My Wreath

In many cultures, Christmas wreaths are used in ceremonial events and carry with them much history and symbolism. They are typically made from evergreen branches which represent strength and wisdom, sustainable throughout the harsh winter months. And the circle shape, having no beginning and no end, denotes everlasting and spiritual life. Throughout the centuries, the Christmas wreath has been a prevalent  household adoration, and we have come to enjoy customizing it to our own unique holiday themes and personas.

This year, I had the pleasure of making my very own traditional Christmas wreath under the guidance of a well-known community florist, Stephanie Egly. Owner of Stephanie’s Secret Garden in Poolesville, MD (www.stephaniessecretgarden.com), Stephanie is a premier floral resource for weddings and events, known throughout the MD, VA and DC area for her beautiful one-of-a-kind specialty arrangements. She also attracts an abundance of DIY crafters to attend her fun-filled wreath-making and floral design workshops. Thank you, Stephanie, for your hands-on tutorial and for helping us to add some holiday cheer to our homes this season!

MAKING OUR CHRISTMAS WREATHS

Supplies:

1. Evergreen Branches. Use an assortment of evergreens with a variety of textures, colors and scents for added beauty to your wreath. Some that we used were: Spruce, White Pine, Cedar, Boxwood, Berried Juniper and Douglas Fir.

2. Circular Wire Wreath Form

3. Floral Wire (22 – 24 gauge)

4. Floral Shears or Pruners

5. Floral Craft Glue

6. Decorative Ribbon / Pine Cones / Embellishments

STEP ONE

Using your floral shears, snip a variety of evergreen branches and arrange them to your liking into a handheld bunch.

photo 1

STEP TWO 

Tie your bunch together by wrapping a strand of floral wire around the base of the branches several times until secure. Repeat steps One and Two until you have enough bunches to go completely around your wire wreath form (usually about 9 – 12).

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STEP THREE

Place one bunch onto your wire wreath form at an angle so that the branches point slightly outward. With the floral wire, weave the base of the bunch snuggly onto the wire form. Using this same technique, wire the next bunches on one at a time, layering them so that each bunch overlaps and hides the base and the wiring of the previous one.

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STEP FOUR

Once you have covered your entire wire form with branches, your wreath should have a nice full shape without any bare spots. Fill in bare spots accordingly with additional branches.

STEP FIVE

Personalize your wreath! Add personal touches such as ribbon, pine cones and embellishments using a strong floral glue.

Your Christmas wreath is complete! Here are a few of the masterpieces and their artisans from the workshop:



I wasted no time getting mine home and on my front door…

My Wreath

STORAGE

If you can’t hang your masterpiece right away, keep it in a paper bag and store in a cool dry place.

Enjoy your hand-made Christmas creation and may it bring joy and character to your home and family this holiday season!

Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting,

Leonie Marie

For more information on Stephanie’s floral services and upcoming workshops , you can follow her on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanies-Secret-Garden-Flower-Shop/175280946422?ref=stream&viewer_id=1106730968

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The colors of Autumn in my own back yard

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by Leonie Marie in Autumn, Seasonal

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Autumn, colors, dining, Fall, gardening, Home and Garden, home decor, interior design, leaf, leaves, leonie marie, napkin rings, photography, putdoors, red, trees, warm, yard

Stepped outside today and was captivated by what I saw. Captured these images from my balcony and felt compelled to share. Have a beautiful day!

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Fall Themed Napkin Rings

07 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by Leonie Marie in Autumn, Seasonal

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Tags

Autumn, beads, dinnerware, DUY, Fall, handmade, holiday, leaves, leonie marie, napkin, napkin rings, nest, orange, red, Tableware, thanksgiving

As promised, here are the Fall-themed napkin rings I made with bead, berry and leaf flourishes. My Thanksgiving table is coming together!


Like what you see? I can make you some too!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/168395009/fall-themed-napkin-rings-set-of-5?ref=shop_home_feat

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Having some fun with this season’s Autumn accents

20 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by Leonie Marie in Autumn, Seasonal

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Tags

Autumn, dining, Fall, home, home decor, interior design, lighting, table, thanksgiving


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Leonie Marie

Leonie Marie

Leonie Marie

So many fun projects to get into!

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My Book Project

Goal to begin submission processDecember 31, 2017
My goal is to begin the submission process of "My Little Wishing Star" to publishers by the end of this year.

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