DIY Pumpkin Wreath with Bittersweet
A DIY Pumpkin Wreath with Bittersweet is an easy to make wreath that looks great hanging on a door, wall, or over a fireplace.
I’m sharing my DIY Pumpkin and Bittersweet Wreath as part of an Autumn Blog Hop hosted by Rachelle of My Hubbard Home.
This is a five-week event with a different theme each week. I shared my family favorite soup, Fiesta Chowder, for the recipe day of the tour.
If you arrived here from Mantel and Table, welcome! Barbara lives in a 100 year old Portland home and creates fabulous tablescapes.
DIY Pumpkin Wreath with Bittersweet
I made my first version of this wreath in the late 90s after seeing a similar one hanging over an outdoor fireplace in Southern Living.
After many fall seasons of enjoyment, that wreath’s pumpkins and bittersweet faded, and it was taken apart to reuse the grapevine wreath form.
I never forgot that beautiful wreath and this fall I made a similar one that is now on my front door.
I love real Bittersweet and look forward to clipping it each year in the woods.
The Bittersweet I used on this wreath is faux as real Bittersweet sheds and I have had no success with trying to dry it to use the next year.
The pumpkins are picks from Hobby Lobby that I aged using this product.
I love how this wreath looks on our front door. Since this picture was taken in early September, I’ve added pumpkins, gourds, and more mums to my porch.
How to Make the Wreath
This wreath was simple to make and only needs a few supplies.
I already had the wreath form and Bittersweet pieces on hand, so all I had to buy to make this was the pumpkin picks.
Supplies
- 18″ Grapevine Wreath
- Pumpkin Picks – These are similar to what I used. This is another option.
- Bittersweet Sprigs – Several options: this one, this one, or this one.
- Glue gun with glue sticks – Check out my handy glue gun holder!
- Floral Wire to Make a Hanger
Step One – Decide on the placement of the pumpkins.
Step Two – To attach the pumpkin pick to the grapevine wreath form, insert the pick through the wreath.
Then twist the pumpkin pick wire around a few grapevine pieces to secure.
If using pumpkins that aren’t picks, hot glue them into place.
Note that my wreath already had a wire hanger from a previous use. I never get rid of a grapevine wreath. I undecorate it and save it! You can see where I store my wreaths in this post.
Step Three – After the pumpkins are in place, add in sprigs of Bittersweet. I hot glued them into place to keep the wind from blowing them out of the wreath form.
I started by evenly adding large Bittersweet sprigs around the wreath.
Then I filled in the empty areas with smaller sprigs.
My pumpkins were too orange for my taste, so I aged them by wiping them with Dixie Belle gel stain in Tobacco Road.
I’ve used this gel stain for all sorts of projects over the years. A little bit goes a long way.
Wreath on my Door
I love how this wreath looks on my front door.
It won’t be long before we get our first frost which will stimulate Bittersweet to turn orange.
You can see how I use natural bittersweet to decorate my home in late fall in this post.
I Love Making Wreaths. Enjoy these fall wreath ideas!
- Fall Hoop Wreath
- 33 Amazing Fall Wreath Ideas
- DIY Wheat Wreath for Fall
- Magnolia Wreath Styled for Fall
- DIY Crow for Fall Door Decor
- Two Fall Wreaths
- Fall Wreath
- Preserved Gourd Wreath
If you are hopping in order, next up is Debra from My Humble Home and Garden.
More Fall Wreaths to Enjoy
Click on the links below to enjoy the fall wreaths that my friends are sharing today.
If you don’t have time to craft a wreath, here are some beautiful ones available to purchase.
Paula, a grape vine and bittersweet wreath always makes my heart pitter-patter even faster. They are two elements that always say fall is here!
Aging the pumpkins is a good tip to tone down the orange.
Thanks for joining this day of the hop 😉
RR
Thank you so much for hosting, Rachelle! I’m loving how this wreath looks on our front door.
Paula
Paula, what are the low growing plants, with purple/blue spikes, at your front entrance? Can’t wait for your stitch fix fashion “show”.
Hi, Karen! The plants are Catmint. It blooms spring to fall and is deer resistant.
Paula
I realized after I wrote my first reply that you are asking about my Lirope, not my Catmint. Lirope is very hardy but it can be tempting to deer.
Paula
Paula, thank you so much for the correction. Like I said before…I can’t wait for your reviews of stitch fix…..you ALWAYS LOOK JUST BEAUTIFUL!!! ESPECIALLY with SHERMAN!!!
Lots of Sherman pictures on this month’s Stitch Fix review! It’s on the blog now!
Paula your wreath is gorgeous. I love how it looks on your front door.
Thank you so much, Judy! I’m really enjoying it.
Paula
I love the bittersweet combined with the pumpkins Paula, and so smart to “age” your mini pumpkins with a little paint!
Your wreath will work for all the fall holidays, and makes your entryway look welcoming and festive!
Thank you so much, Jenna! I’m loving how it looks on our front door and I’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.
Paula
Love the look of your wreath and how you aged the pumpkins! Nice job, looks beautiful! Thanks for the hot glue gun tip (holder project) I sent that over to my husband so he can build me one for my glue gun. I don’t have a great spot for it in my studio and could use something far sturdier to keep it in place.
Thank you, Lisa! Jeff will whip a glue gun holder up for you in no time. It’s a super handy item to have for crafting.
Paula
Darling wreath Paula! I just love the bittersweet and pumpkin combination. I’ve got to remember your trick of aging the bright orange pumpkins. Simply brilliant!
Thank you, Michelle! The pumkins look so much better aged.
Paula
Paula I love your beautiful wreath! The colors are so perfect for fall and the grapevine gives it a rustic feel. One of these days I’ll have to attempt making one myself. Your instructions make it look so easy!
Shelley
This was a super easy wreath to make!
Paula
Paula, I’ve never heard of the Dixie Belle gel stain in Tobacco Road.for aging. I’m going to have to investigate! Your wreath looks perfectly autumnal. I love the bittersweet with the pumpkins!
This product works so well on wood or for crafts. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of the bottle that I have.
Paula
Paula, your grapevine, pumpkin and bittersweet wreath is lovely. I especially like how you “aged” the pumpkins which made them look more realistic. A good tip!
Thank you so much, Debbee! Looking forward to seeing what you made for this fun hop.
Paula
That is so perfectly fall Paula! The bittersweet is so delicate and pretty. I want to check out your other posts with bittersweet too – I bet it looks lovely in your home!
So nice hopping with you! Happy Wednesday!
Thank you, Barbara! Did you see my fall mantel? It’s full of bittersweet! Looking forward to clipping some real bittersweet once we get our first frost which makes the berries turn red.
Paula
Love the wreath, Paula! This is a terrific DIY guide! Thank you!!
Love the simplicity of this project! Looks great!
So many pretty wreaths! I didn’t know those stems are called bittersweet.
I love it …love the bittersweet!!
So pretty! And simple!
I love this wreath!
this came out so great!
I love the simplicity of this wreath – it’s stunning. Thanks for sharing.
So pretty! I love fall wreaths! Bittersweet adds interest to the wreath!
So pretty. I love wreaths inside and outside.
Paula, your wreath is so pretty, and perfect for fall. I do the same thing, – undecorate old grapevine wreaths and style them a new way! I love the use of the bittersweet with the pumpkins! Bravo!
Thank you so much, Chloe! No need to buy when you can reuse what you already have.
Paula
The wreath looks great and is so simple to make. Thanks for the tutorial, Paula!
Thank you, Kasia! I’m definitely enjoying it on my front door this fall season.
Paula
What a great job you did! Easy, yet so beautiful! Your blog is so pretty and it is fast becoming one of my favorites!
You are so sweet, Kim! I feel the same way about your lovely blog.
Paula
Paula, your fall wreath is so pretty! I love the combination of bittersweet and pumpkins!