I decided to give my harvest wreath and dried flower bucket a Christmas holiday upgrade by adding balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and winterberries (Ilex verticillata). 
Here is the before photo:
As you can see, the mermaid is still hanging out on the porch, keeping Buddha company (he is a bit out of the picture to the left). I think he is a good influence, helping her see that her vanity is only a reflection of her ego, not her true soul. 😉
I removed the gold oak leaves from the harvest wreath, then added evergreens, pinecones and a few manmade baubles to add a bit of glitz: sage green, faux eucalyptus sprigs and a couple glittery, round balls. For comparison, here is the original: 
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase what is blooming in our gardens by creating arrangements to enjoy inside our homes. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week. Feel free to join in, sharing your own weekly creation with a link to Cathy’s blog.
Eliza Waters 
That’s one super duper wreath Eliza!!
Thank you so much, Val!
Eliza, you never fail to amaze me. What a lovely addition the greens and the berries are! and your wreath is soooooo beautiful. I looked at it and had one of those ‘you MADE that?’ moments. But of course some talented, artistic person with a very good eye makes all the things that appear here. Wowsers.
Many thanks for all those wonderful compliments, Lisa… I’m blushing! 😉
I just plop things in a vase and shake them around. You, on the other hand…Wow.
🙂 Thank you sincerely. I do enjoy the process very much, especially if they come out well, which isn’t always the case. 😉
Beautiful and I bet it smells really good too with balsam pine in it. Mmmmmm.
Balsam is the best! After it rains, the scent of the trees at the end of our property fills the air with that delicious scent. Mmmm, indeed! Thanks, Mary.
Eliza the wreath is absolutely gorgeous! Please come over to Queensland and make something that will survive heat and thunderstorms.(I wonder if I can find my crow-ash cones to use)
Thank you, Maureen, if I ever do make it ‘down under’ I’d be sure to pay you a visit and do a little ‘creating’ with the local flora. Wouldn’t that be fun! 🙂
You are talented. They are beautiful!
Thank you so much, Cindy!
Festive 🙂 You are very gifted with your arrangments
Thank you very much!
I loooove the wreath so much!! 💖🎄💖🎄💖🎄
Thank you, Trini! 🙂
I love your wreath!! …and that pop of really makes your fall arrangement sparkle for the holidays!
Thank you so much!
Very impressive upgrades, both of them. It is if they’ve reincarnated, young & fresh.
What a nice thought – thank you! 🙂
Both stunning, you are one very talented lady!
Thank you very much for the wonderful compliment, Pauline!
Your wreath is absolutely gorgeous Eliza and so is the beautiful door you hang it from, the combination is perfect.
Thank you so much, Julie. 🙂
I am now officially in the Holiday Spirit! Nice
🙂 Thanks, Michael. Glad to give a lift!
Just stunning.
Many thanks, Sylvia. 🙂
They both turned out beautiful. Your flower decorating skills are showing again. 🙂
Thank you, Judy! 🙂
Beautiful! And I’ll be interested in hearing about the mermaid’s spiritual progress. Vanity is a hard one to overcome 😉
😀 She is a work in progress for sure! Thanks, Laurie!
Just lovely! Merry merry!
Thank you, Kathy! How’s the weather? 🙂
It is divine Eliza! I have already seen several Monarchs, the Zebra Butterflies and a Great Horned Owl. Hope to get out kayaking soon. Looks pretty mild in my Northern home, too! How about you?
Sounds wonderful! I’d love to see the monarch and zebra butterflies, as well as the owl.
Actually, right now I’m in L.A. and it was 82 today – soooo loving it. What a treat. Fly back to the cold on Sat.
We’ve been running about 10 degrees above normal in MA. They say El Nino will give us a mild winter for a change and cold air will stay in Canada. I am all for that!
Upgrading requires a lot of creativity, congratulations, Eliza!
Thank you, Anca!
You are very creative Eliza, very festive wreath.
Thank you very much, Brian!
These are stunning.
Thank you so much!
So pretty. Your upgrades breathe fresh life into both wreath and basket, Eliza. Mermaid looks a little cold, though. New life and vibrant read definitely take us from autumn to the holidays! ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you, E. Yes, the mermaid might be a bit chilly! 😉
What wonderful decorations.
Thank you, Fi!
As everyone says, you have such a good eye, Eliza ☺Your mermaid will be a changed woman (?) after hanging about with Buddha for several weeks!
Thank you, Cathy. Yes, let’s hope she is! 😉
The addition of the berries and evergreens really dressed up the fall arrangement, Eliza. I will also have to rave about your wonderful wreath, it is so balanced and colorful, with so many interesting varied fruits and leaves.
Many thanks, Hannah. 🙂
I think the bucket is my favorite. Love the addition of berries and evergreens.
Thank you!
You have added “glorious” with your new-addition touches. 🙂
Thank you so much, Dor! 🙂
Eliza these are stunning and how clever. It is fabulous when we can turn a vase into something else with a few additions and deletions. I love using dried materials for this reason!
Thank you, Donna! Yes, so long as they can take the wear and tear, they can be used for several arrangements. Hydrangea is especially good.
Una Serie Estupenda, Llena De Colorido Y Muy Acertada Para Estas Fechas… Un Saludo.
Muchas gracias, Jose!
The picture at the top is one of my favorite pieces of yours, Eliza.
Thank you very much, Kim. 🙂
Beautiful, as always – I am making some pots this weekend for the front and back porches (or just the front, if I get lazy). I hope they look half this good!
I’m sure they will look great. Will Choppy be helping? 🙂
If by “helping” you mean keeping an eye out for squirrels while we work, then yes.
Gorgeous! That little bit of green and red did the trick. You are so clever and creative!
🙂 Thanks!
Wow! The wreath is absolutely gorgeous Eliza! And the facelift you gave your bucket is just amazing – what a difference some berries and fir branches can make! Very inspiring, as I may also have to recycle or facelift some of my arrangements over the next few weeks! I really love those golden leaves on your wreath – a lovely idea that I hadn’t seen before. 🙂
Many thanks, Cathy. It made sense to ‘recycle’ – what a concept! 🙂
So inspiring to see what a few greens and berries do. Love it
Thank you, Carole!
These are so gorgeous!