Sunflowers and Apples Wreath
Fall is Here!
Now that Fall is officially here, let's celebrate by creating a wreath that incorporates two common symbols of this season: the sunflower and apples. As we look ahead to the months of October and November, months that complete and finish the liturgical year, these two symbols in nature can connect our thoughts to the liturgy and the final "gathering in."
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the symbol of obedience. They spend their entire day simply turning their faces towards the sun. Wherever it goes, they follow. It is such a simple and honest action. There is no hiding or subterfuge. They, with their broad, open faces, are completely transparent. They challenge us to do the same. Do we travel through our days with our heads down, not looking to the Son? Do we seek God's presence throughout the hours of the week? Do we look for him in spite of clouds and rain?
Apples
Apples, on the other hand, were originally the symbols of disobedience. The apple, for one reason or another, is the fruit typically portrayed as what Eve plucked from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, the first act of turning from God. This action set in motion the chasm between God and us and handed onto all of us Original Sin. Yet, the apple has a happy ending. Because God did not leave us to our own devices, but instead responded with mercy - first by establishing the covenants with Israel and then by giving us the New and Eternal Covenant in Jesus Christ - the apple was transformed. Now, the apple is linked to learning. Yes, learning takes work now and is not effortless and delightful. However, all learning - even if it is not explicitly and overtly about God - can reveal him and his ways, if pursued with humility. St. Pio, for example, used to kneel when he did his studies as he recognized that learning algebra was still glorifying God.
As the school begins again and thousands of students of all ages take up their studies again, in whatever form or fashion that may be in this most unusual year, let us be intentional in why we study and look to the sunflower and apple to inspire us to pursue obedience and true wisdom.
Want to Give It a Try?
Here are the instructions for making the Sunflower and Apples Wreath above.
Now that Fall is officially here, let's celebrate by creating a wreath that incorporates two common symbols of this season: the sunflower and apples. As we look ahead to the months of October and November, months that complete and finish the liturgical year, these two symbols in nature can connect our thoughts to the liturgy and the final "gathering in."
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are the symbol of obedience. They spend their entire day simply turning their faces towards the sun. Wherever it goes, they follow. It is such a simple and honest action. There is no hiding or subterfuge. They, with their broad, open faces, are completely transparent. They challenge us to do the same. Do we travel through our days with our heads down, not looking to the Son? Do we seek God's presence throughout the hours of the week? Do we look for him in spite of clouds and rain?
Apples
Apples, on the other hand, were originally the symbols of disobedience. The apple, for one reason or another, is the fruit typically portrayed as what Eve plucked from the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, the first act of turning from God. This action set in motion the chasm between God and us and handed onto all of us Original Sin. Yet, the apple has a happy ending. Because God did not leave us to our own devices, but instead responded with mercy - first by establishing the covenants with Israel and then by giving us the New and Eternal Covenant in Jesus Christ - the apple was transformed. Now, the apple is linked to learning. Yes, learning takes work now and is not effortless and delightful. However, all learning - even if it is not explicitly and overtly about God - can reveal him and his ways, if pursued with humility. St. Pio, for example, used to kneel when he did his studies as he recognized that learning algebra was still glorifying God.
As the school begins again and thousands of students of all ages take up their studies again, in whatever form or fashion that may be in this most unusual year, let us be intentional in why we study and look to the sunflower and apple to inspire us to pursue obedience and true wisdom.
Want to Give It a Try?
Here are the instructions for making the Sunflower and Apples Wreath above.
1. Gather your supplies. You will need:
-a decorated sign with sunflowers and apples
-a wreath that the decorated sign will attach to (not too much bigger than your sign)
-wire to wrap around your wreath
-pipe cleaners
-a few silk or paper sunflowers
-decorative bows (I used green and yellow and one bigger red bow)
-two bags of mesh tube (I used green but use whatever color you like)
-red curling ribbon
- a strand of battery-operated lights, if desired
-hot glue gun or cement glue
-decorative gingham ribbon, 1.5" wide (shown below)
-a decorated sign with sunflowers and apples
-a wreath that the decorated sign will attach to (not too much bigger than your sign)
-wire to wrap around your wreath
-pipe cleaners
-a few silk or paper sunflowers
-decorative bows (I used green and yellow and one bigger red bow)
-two bags of mesh tube (I used green but use whatever color you like)
-red curling ribbon
- a strand of battery-operated lights, if desired
-hot glue gun or cement glue
-decorative gingham ribbon, 1.5" wide (shown below)
2. Wrap the wire around the wreath. It should be loose enough to be able to slide pipe cleaners and ribbon under.
Here's the wreath completed, fully wrapped with wire.
3. Cut your pipe cleaners into 4" pieces. You'll need at least 20 pieces.
Next, open the bags of mesh tubes and make several loops. Hold them in your hand, roughly measuring the length by holding them behind the wreath. When you like the length, cut the strand of mesh loop. My loops were about 8 inches, top to bottom, 3 loops to a set.
Next, open the bags of mesh tubes and make several loops. Hold them in your hand, roughly measuring the length by holding them behind the wreath. When you like the length, cut the strand of mesh loop. My loops were about 8 inches, top to bottom, 3 loops to a set.
4. Using a piece of pipe cleaner, tie the ends of the loops together, while you also tie the loop to the wire. Wrap one end of the mesh tube with a pipe cleaner piece a couple of times, then run the pipe cleaner under the wire on the wreath and fasten it tightly, so that the mesh tube doesn't fall off.
5. Repeat step 4 with more loops of the mesh tube, working all around the wreath.
6. Cut several long strips of the red curling ribbon. Fasten it to the wreath by tying it tightly to the wire. Do this around the entire wreath. Curl the ribbon so that it stays tucked up close to the mesh tubing.
Here's the wreath with the red curling ribbon attached all the way around.
7. Now is the time to attach the battery-operated strand of lights, if you choose to add one. Just place the battery compartment inside the wreath and secure it with two or three twist ties, so that it is snug and secure. It will be covered on the front by the decorative sign, and you can change the batteries from the back.
Turn the strand on to see it better, then weave it around the outside edges of the mesh loops.
8. Get your decorated sign ready to use. Cut off any straps or hangers. Remove any price tags, stickers, etc. Using the hot glue gun or cement glue, stick it onto the wreath. (Put the glue on the wreath, not the sign, then press down hard for a sure fitting.) Let it dry.
9.Make the decorative bow. First, gather the ribbon in your hand, as shown.
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Then, start folding it into a bow, as shown.
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Fold the ribbon into a double bow.
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Pinch it in the middle.
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Tie a sunflower onto the bow, using a twist tie or pipe cleaner piece.
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Here's the finished bow from the front. Glue it onto your decorative sign. I put it on the top corner.
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Finally, make another bow from the ribbon in the same way and glue it onto the decorative sign. Glue a big bow in the center. (I used a red and bow with a gold ball.) Glue two other smaller bows beneath it. (I used the two green and yellow bows.) Glue or tie any sunflowers, apples, leaves, etc. you have and want to use around the mesh tubing. Take a piece of pipe cleaner and make a hanger for the wreath, by threading it through the wire on the wreath, on the back, hanging it at the length you want.
You are finished! Enjoy it!
You are finished! Enjoy it!
