At our house at dinner time….when we sit down to sweet tea and frozen pizza….
….we have a tradition.
It’s called high/low.
We go around the table and tell the high of the day and then a low of the day. It’s usually more highs than lows…..told with lots of hand-waving and excited voices describing the ups and downs of school and the stories of all the drama that goes on in fifth grade.
Lows disguised as comments about a sibling are not allowed.
Detailed descriptions of the lunch menu are welcomed.
It’s a melee.
A free-for-all.
A circus.
All set to a low-pitched roar.
And at the center of it all….when the noise and hustle and bustle and laughter swirls around the dinner table….
….sometimes I catch my husband’s twinkling eye.
And we share a look.
A look that counts our blessings.
Each and every one.
Blessings that the highs are so much more than the lows….that there are stories to make us laugh…..that salisbury steak comes with green beans, mashed potatoes and a roll….that the playground is covered in new mulch.
….and that Betsy Ross and Jackie Kennedy got an A on their speeches.
To help us all count our blessings….I made a wreath.
I asked everyone what they were thankful for and framed the quotes and added some pictures….
And hung the wreath in the kitchen.
It the perfect decoration….
….for when the circus comes to town.
Be Thankful Wreath
Supplies:
picture frames
ribbon
photo paper
old grapevine wreath from the goodwill pile
hot glue
Step 1: Assemble supplies and remove the easels from the frames.
I found these frames at Michaels in the $1.00 aisle.
These frames had a hinge on the back.
I twisted the easel part of the frame until it was loose and then removed the easel part of the frame like shown.
After removing the easel part of the picture frame, the hinge should remain attached to the frame.
This allows the frames to lay flat on the wreath.
Discard hinges (unless you are planning on starting a highly sought after hinge collection).
Step 2: Print out the photographs you want to use with the wreath.
I printed out black and white pictures from my computer onto basic photo paper.
I printed out wallet size photographs and it was almost the perfect size for the 2″x3″ frames.
I then typed out the quotes in different fonts for each word and printed them out on copy paper.
Step 3: Add pictures to frame.
Make sure you have a variety of the 2″ x 3″ frames and you have a selection of horizontal and vertical photographs.
Continue until all frames have been filled.
Step 4: Add a ribbon to the back of the picture frames.
Cut a length of ribbon and thread through the back of the frame opening.
Step 5: Tie ribbon with picture frame onto wreath.
Take the ribbon and wrap it around a branch of the grapevine wreath.
Tie in a knot and secure tightly so the frame lays flat against the wreath.
Trim excess ribbon.
Step 7: Continue adding picture frames to the wreath.
Add the picture frames to the wreath, alternating frame styles and horizontal and vertical pictures.
Picture frames should overlap and be spaced closely together.
Continue until you have filled the entire wreath.
It took me approximately 17 picture frames to complete the wreath.
The wreath is such a fun project to create as a family and a wonderful way to count your blessings…..
…..especially this one. 🙂
Here’s another fun option I created with silhouettes and silver picture frames.
You can see the complete tutorial over at Infarrantly Creative today!
And now for a little more trash to treasure inspiration from
some of these talented blogging friends!
How To Age a Crate
So Much Better With Age
French Finish Mirror
AKA Designs
DIY Bamboo Mirror
Rain On a Tin Roof
Beautiful and thoughtful , I wouldn't expect less from one of the gentlest people in the blogging world.
So while dabbing at the tear in my left eye my right eye was busy taking in the directions on making this beautiful family "Future" heirloom! Just beautiful...that's what I so admire about you, simple, heartfelt and funny! I remember those supper's over mac & cheese, hamburgers and open discussions on everything! with three daughters our kitchen table became the UN, Dear Abby and the nightly news all rolled into one! I miss those days....but now two of my three daughters live only minutes from me so the conversations around the table are pretty much the same only on an adult level! Have a fabulous weekend! L.
These are the best years of your life! They will grow up so fast but you will have these wonderful memories!
I love it, Karianne! The black and white is perfection! You should fully expect me to copy you at some point!
Such a cute idea, KariAnne! I have clipped what we're thankful for to branches in our dining room, but this would be a fun way to mix it up this year. Thanks for sharing!!
Ah, another one of your fabulous stories to start my day! I'm going to a 6 hour technology inservice today, when I would MUCH rather go to my little school to make music with my marvelous children, so I needed some sweetness this morning! Let's see......computers or children....which do I love? Simple answer--CHILDREN! Another question--KariAnne or wonders of technology? KARIANNE! I'll be thinking of your wreath and the possibilities while they drone on......
What a fantastic idea! I love the pictures, but the messages are precious! Thanks for sharing a wonderful tutorial! Have a great weekend!
Your Memory Wreath and your Thankful Wreath have to be my most favorite of all wreaths...as they are all about the love of family and the joys you share with one another. Sensational Kari!
I love your wreath and that your family has sit down meals! There are many family's that don't take the time to eat together because of there work schedules. I always enjoyed my daughters highs and lows ,it was a wonderful time to bond and hear what they were up to :)
LOVE these frames KariAnne...I just picked up the supplies to make one as a Christmas gift for the in-laws! Won't I be the favorite now :) thanks for inspiring me!
Super idea...you will have that forever! And...yeah to the "A's"!! Enjoy your weekend! ;)
LOVE this idea! We too do the "high/low" thing when we actually get a chance to sit down and eat dinner together! And, we are so blessed that the highs greatly out weigh the lows. So much to be thankful for! Life to the full! Melissa
Please write a book!
My mom has a whole string of pictures of me sitting on Santa's knee . . . how cute would they be on a wreath? I mean, I always tell people that I was a cute LITTLE kid! LOL ;) Love this!
Frame them and put them on your Christmas tree. I have framed pictures of family from past Christmas' s mixed in with my ornaments
Kari Anne, Your children are so cute and what a wonderful idea with the high/low time at dinner...I am going to pass on this idea to other young families. I always love picture frame wreaths...they bring so much love to a home and this one is super neat. I have done some of these at Christmas time of past years and they are always fun to enjoy. I would love for you to share this thrifty wreath at my Nifty Thrifty Tuesday party on Monday. Blessings, Linda
KariAnne, So sweet! I love the ornate frames. Ahh...Family at the table, is what life is all about.
I love your wreath KariAnne but even more I love your dinner time tradition. I am going to start that one in our home! Thanks for sharing both of them!
What a sweet idea, Karianne, both the wreath and the sharing of the high/low of the day.
What a great way to use your photos. I love it! I'm thinking it may also be a great Christmas gift idea for my in-laws. Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful tradition, Karianne. Such a wonderful way to make memories with your wreath! Hugs, Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
I just love this. I just saw a gal getting rid of a bunch of these frames and thought ehh I'll pass, what the heck would I do with them?!! WELL DUH make a thankful wreath of course! you're brilliant!
Seriously beautiful!
LOVE this idea KariAnne!!!
I love your family stories. I swear you don't look old enough to be a mother of 4! But I appreciate how you take things in stride or at least do your best too. :)
I love this idea and the comment to make as gifts. I can hardly wait to make one and put pictures of my kids and their families in the frames. This will make a great addition to our home. I so enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
We do highs and lows at dinner time, too! We're suppose to give one high and one low and then give everyone else a turn. It's so fun to see our kids squirming to get another turn to share again! We also have a rule....no low can ever be about a sibling. Such sweet memories!
So cute!
adorable, as always! kudos to Jackie and Betsy for their A's!!!!! I love hearing about your big happy family!!!!
I love this idea; it really does make us focus on the right things, such as gratitude. I love your blog also - it's inspiring.
mAHvelous dahling! Simply MAHvelous!