Friday, February 1, 2013

Valentine Ideas • DIY Twig Heart

Time for me to update my entry ladder, the one I made last spring and have changed with each season. With February's arrival, I updated it for Valentine's Day. This ladder is made from branches and reflects my tendency to incorporate nature into many of my designs. I started with using red plastic solo cups to try and design something creative and weatherproof but that lasted all of 10 minutes of effort. Just not my style. Instead I made rustic hearts from green sticks, twine, bittersweet vines and berries.


I'll post a complete tutorial with my next post because I have been working on improving my photography. I have over twenty images to share and that will make connection time too slow so come back tomorrow for the how to with all the step-by-step photos. Today, enjoy my photographic efforts. ( update: Tutorial is up here)

I made five hearts in a range of sizes. The thickness of the twigs determined the smallest I could craft - which was about 9".


I searched back to memories from my Girl Scout years so many, many years ago and I used a knot designed for pulling in the ends. I thought it was the long shank but when I looked that up I discovered a long shank knot is something else. I'll keep looking but I haven't found it yet. (Update: Here is a link to a video showing the specifics of making a whipping knot - thanks to reader Lynne Carothers for sharing the proper name!)









I added more twine and, after taking out the Christmas arrangements, I hung these rustic hearts from the rungs of my handmade ladder. This is probably the 8th different seasonal arrangement I've made in this ladder, and it is the first time I thought of moving the ladder off my north-facing porch and into the sunshine to get more vibrant pictures!



After the photo shoot I moved it back near the door for more photos.....


I love the red berries (which I pilfered from the Christmas arrangement!) against our siding color.
The twig hearts are a perfect addition to the black birch ladder, which is starting to sprout little white fungi!

Update: Tutorial for the hearts is up here.
Additional update: See the hearts dressed in snowflakes after the blizzard here. Incredibly beautiful.

For those of you just joining my blog, here are links to a few of the other ways I have decorated this ladder over the past year.

Christmas Ladder

Christmas Ladder with Lights:

Pumpkin Ladder

Daisy Ladder for June


A Ladder of Branches • DIY - This is tutorial for making the ladder.



This project inspired me to continue exploring ladders in décor. I collected them ll into a theme page with links to many, many different ways to use ladders in decor


©2013AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

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Sharing this post at the following Link Parties:
Hope to see you there as well!


39 comments:

  1. so very sweet...love how you change the ladder through the seasons...xo

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    1. It has been fun all year. Struggling a little with March ideas though :-)

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  2. Hi Marji,
    I think the technique you used with the twine is called whipping. It is not really a knot but a way to secure the end of a rope to keep it from unraveling. I am an old Girl Scout and currently work with a Boy Scout troop. Funny, when I first saw your photo of the twine heart, I thought that whipping would be a good way to attach the twigs. Similar vision, I guess.

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    1. So right! I just did a goggle search and found a demonstration. I'll go an update the bog. Thanks Lynne!

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  3. So pretty!! And festive too. I would love for you to share it here if you get a chance: http://www.oneartsymama.com/2013/01/shine-on-fridays-65.html

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    1. Just posted there - been looking for another active Friday link party! Thanks for visiting.

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  4. I love this! The ladder is great and the little hearts are so cute. Thanks for sharing it! :)

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    1. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!

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  5. Love this and the simplicity of it. I collected a bunch of rose hips in December which are still good and would work great for this. I'd love for you to link up over at Finding the Pretty & Delicious Linky Party.
    http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/finding-the-pretty-delicious-linky-party-3/

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting Leigh Anne. I just posted on your link party and am now drooling - lots of delicious looking food over there!

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  6. The twig hearts are adorable!! Love the natural look and all the ways you have decorated the ladder.

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    1. Thanks Marlee, appreciate your visiting and taking the time to comment!

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  7. Absolutely adorable!! I just love this.

    I'm having a FACEBOOK Social hop. I'd love for you to hop on over, and join!!

    http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/2013/01/blog-social-hop.html

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  8. So so cute. I love your ladder and your hearts. It looks like the ladder looks great through every season the way you have it decorated. Great photos, too. Thanks for sharing. I just might have to make so for myself. Have a great day.

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    1. Be sure to send pictures if you make one Lori. Thanks for commenting.

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  9. Love this! I love the ladder in all it's Holiday changes through out the year! Following you on FB and would appreciate the favor back:) Stacey~ RealSouthernLiving.com

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    1. Have gone to FB to follow you. thanks for visiting and commenting.

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  10. that looks so adorable! i love the idea and how you really could use them everywhere

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    1. I love ladders in decor. Yes, you can use them anywhere. I did a whole series of posts on using ladders. Check it out under my themes menu above.

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  11. That ladder is just awesome! I'll be back for your tutorial, and I'll have to raid my MIL's grapevine bush - I do know where to find some bittersweet but it's in a complete stranger's yard!

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    1. Wish I had harvested more last fall. Maybe you should make a friend of that stranger :-). The tutorial is up and there is a link above.

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  12. Well the bittersweet hearts are so darling! So simple and yet really pretty. Then I saw your ladder with the different seasonal decorations on it... wow, what a splendid idea and so beautifully done. Thank you for sharing! Little Bit from www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

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    1. Thanks for visiting and commenting. The ladder certainly continues to prove effective with each season although March has me pondering......

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  13. Your twig hearts are fantastic, love it! Also your ladder decor! I also did a twig heart, stop by and see!
    http://shabbyredoforyou.blogspot.com Take care

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    1. Just went for a little stroll over to your site to check out your heart- very different approach and looks great. Did you hand it on your door?

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  14. I love your twig hearts! So adorable! I love the way the berries look when they are dried also:)

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    1. I should have saved more last fall when they were all over the roadside. I just have the few left. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

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  15. Those hearts are awesome! I love anything natural looking.

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  16. This is absolutely adorable!!! First time visiting your blog. I invite you to come link- http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/02/link-party-6.html
    Nancy

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  17. Marji Roy, those are so sweet and you already know I love that ladder! Your Valentine decorating is such a sweet welcome for guests! I'm including a link back in this wee's highlights. ;)

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    1. The ladder has been a treasure all year. Its anniversary is this spring. I'll have to think of a new twist for 2013-14!

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  18. Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured tomorrow morning!
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow night for Make the Scene Monday #60!

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  19. Love the ladder and the fact that it changes with the seasons and holidays. Great use and reuse project!
    Michael
    www.recreatedesigncompany.com

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    1. The forest offers so much for free. I have found it to be an incredible inspiration.

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  20. So pretty...I love seeing all of you holiday variations on your ladder. Happy Valentine's Day!

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    1. March has me stumped! Thanks for visiting and commenting!

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  21. Wow - I adore this twig hearts!!! Thanks for linking up at Romance on a dime!!

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  22. I love those hearts - so simple and organic. And I love them hung from the rustic ladder. I'm going to have to look out for some willow twigs at the cottage when I'm there in the spring.

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  23. I'm coming over from the DIY Showoff link party. This twig heart is great. I also really like your wood ladder and the changes you do each season. Very nice!

    Missy Inspired
    http://missyinspired.blogspot.com

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