Frozen Cranberry Pine Wreath

Freeze!  Don’t move.  It’s 26 degrees outside.  I hope you brought your mittens!

Okay, you can move now.  I just wanted to get you in the mood for today’s post…

I’ve been wanting to make a “Frozen Wreath” since I noticed one at Better Homes & Garden’s last year.  I finally did it, and they turned out so cute.

I actually ended up making 2.  I mean, why not?  They are pretty much free to make.

First, I created a “Frozen Cranberry Pine Christmas Wreath”.  I had the pine, pine cones, and the fresh cranberries.  All I needed was the mold.  I found 2 of these bunt pan molds at the thrift store.  I’ve never made a bunt cake.  [gasp]

There really isn’t much to this.  Fill the pan with whatever you are planning to use as the filling.  I’ve seen birdseed, even carrots for Santa’s reindeer.  Place everything the way you would like it to freeze, and then fill it with *water and freeze it.  You could also freeze twine or ribbon in the top so you can hang it from there. (*see note on water below)

The most important thing is that it has to be cold outside.  Not just at night, folks.  It must be below 32 all day.  If you have a warm day come up, just throw it in the freezer until it gets cold again.  Also, beware of the sun.

You can see it’s plenty cold here.  It took this 2 days to freeze completely.  You could freeze it in the freezer as well.

To get it out of the mold, place the pan in warm water and watch it melt around the edges quickly.  I say 30 seconds is all it needs and then it will pop out for you when you turn it upside down.  Then quickly tie with ribbon to hang.

What you also have to consider, is where you are going to put it.  If it melts will cranberries stain my from porch?  Will the birds get to it?  Maybe you want the birds to get to it?

The second one I created was made with just cranberries.

(*note)  The thing I realized with this one, is that if you want the entire wreath to be “clear”, you have to boil the water twice.  I’ll have to remember that next time, although I think it still turned out cute…it has that “feathered freezer burn” look.

If freezing a wreath isn’t for you, you may enjoy this one…I couldn’t let this “Vintage Bulb” beauty go at Homegoods.  It’s made of glass “vintage” bulbs, and cost $24.99.  It’s really heavy and nicely made.  I love it against the wood beams reflected in the mirror.