I’ve been a florist for over 40 years and I never made blankets that way. I’m going to now. Great work! I’ve used styrofoam lumber with hay. Your way is way better. Never too late to learn a better way. Thanks
I want to try my hand at making these for my family members, yet do not know where I could get the balsam branches. please give me ideas as to where I could.
You could cut balsam yourself off property or the woods. You could buy a cheap tree from Home Depot or wherever. You could also buy a larger tree than you want for your home. Many Christmas tree stands will sell off brush they need to cut off trees they sell. I buy mine from a wholesale florist
My wife found this video yesterday and this morning we placed our handmade grave blanket on her parents grave. The size of our blanket, if purchased at our local Christmas tree lot, would probably have cost us $150. We paid $5 for a large bow and $18 for 25 ft of chicken wire!!!!! Wish I could send you a pic as it turned out beautifully😀 Thank you!
Thomas Crawley thank you so much for the info. yesterday was the first anniversary of my Beautiful Mom's Passing. I really want to make this. once again thank you very much.
Erica, I stumbled acrosss your video and was so impressed with the job you guys did that I attempted to make a grave blanket myself. I live in Staten Island and usually pay between $100 and $125 for a really full grave blanket. After spending $12 for a roll of chicken wire and getting all the free branches I wanted from a local Christmas tree stand, using your method, we made the fullest grave blanket ever. My wife decorated it beautifully with ribbons, ornaments, flowers and angels she accumulated over the years and everyone who saw it couldn't believe we made it ourselves! Thank you so much for the instructions you gave. You've started us on a fun, new Christmas tradition!............Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I loved this demo I have made two grave blankets and shared it with lots of friends. I however did learn how heavy they really become once they are completed. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
Wow I am absolutely amazed of how brilliant your method is for creating an evergreen blanket. I’ve made centerpieces that are smaller for a table setting and your way is much easier, and more affordable if you can get the greenery yourself & buy the chicken wire. I went to my husband friends home 5 acres, and he let me trim off branches of all the different types of evergreens. I’ve made a couple of hanging baskets, have 2 planters I need to do, and lastly the remainder to do a blanket similar to yours. Thank you for the great idea and Merry Christmas
Thanks so much for sharing this! My father passed away after an accident in May and this is our first Christmas without him. A couple months ago I began looking for information on grave blankets. I wanted to buy a nice one, but everything I saw online from stores from the year before didn't look very good. I saw this, showed it to my mom and told her I'd make one. I was a little unsure about it, but it turned out beautifully! So many people are telling me it's the most beautiful grave blanket they've ever seen. Your instructions made it so easy! I watched the video a number of times, gathered my supplies, and then watched a little at a time, stopped, and ran out to the garage to do that part. I can't thank you enough for making our first Christmas without dad a little nicer.
by far the BEST video and the prettiest grave blanket on you tube! Thanks so much for sharing your talent. I will be making these for my Mom, Brother and Father-in-law.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video and he is a great teacher! Thank you for sharing I've never seen or heard of this and I've been in the floral industry for 18 years
Hi Wendy. Thanks for the compliments :) we currently do not ship grave blankets although we have shipped out wreaths in the past. I believe the pricing will be the same this year, if not it would only be a dollar or two more.
I love this so much. Difficult to deal w wire, but worth it. Took me about @n hour1/2 . Made it for my forever22 man. I’d put the pic if I could. It’s nicer then his...lol...thank you so much.
Its a beautiful blanket! I do agree its so much better than most sold out there! I just love the height and fullness of the ones you make... I do have a question please.... You wrote you sell yours for $52 fully decorated in 2012... Is this the same price you will sell them this year? Also .. I have two questions about shipping plz... #1 Do you ship yours out? #2 - How do you ship them? TY very much 4 taking time to make this video teaching others to do it! That is a very selfless act, so TY!!
This is beautiful. What are the dimentions of the wire? He said 3 ft but what is the other end and also, what was the final length of that one. I want to make a 6ft one. Thank you!!
What are the approximate final measurements of this blanket? I live in south GA and Ive never heard of these. I suppose that you lay this over a slab in a cemetery...correct? I thought this was a video about CASKET blankets, however, this is very interesting and I may try one some time. Thanks so much for the info. Beautiful job.
Valerie Griner yes, people usually lay them over the ground by the headstone in the cemeteries. The final product is about 4-5 feet long and 2-3 feet wide
I really enjoyed this video, they are just beautiful and so full. I would love to help make them for the experience. where are you located, I am in Macomb mi.
Very beautiful. It was difficult hearing since I was at work and didn't want everyone to hear. Where do I order one? I don't want it decorated for Xmas but want it more springy. If it can't be done, I would just like the greens the way it was arranged and I can add palms, etc. Please give me all info so I can purchase one. I live in Berkeley heights, N.J.
you could call us to order one, but shipping would be extraordinarily expensive as the blankets end product are nearly 5 feet long and weigh close to 40 lbs...we are at Spray's Landscape in Cheboygan, Michigan. we have a facebook page as well.
Can you tell me what size the chicken wire would be cut to for an infant's grave? I'm not sure of the typical size for a baby blanket. I lost my full-term baby granddaughter in April this year and I would like to make something special for her.
Hi! We have a tree farm in Indiana and may try this method this year. How much do you charge for this type of grave blanket after it’s been decorated. I’d love to see the finished, ready to sell blanket too. Thank you! Lance Sambol Sambol’s Tree Farm
I live in Kalamazoo mi do you guys ship these grave blankets? I get one every year for my daughters grave but I can never find any that look so thick and beautiful like that
Iv ben making grave blankets for 20yrs now n by far this is the hardest way iv ever seen. No doubt ots a beautiful blanket but to spend all that money on chicken wire is not cost effective. Also balsam doesn't truly push well if u hav even a decent bundle. A bundle is How the brush comes in if u get it from canada. Straw n basket made from lathe n chicken wire works n a new method Iv come up with recently is wood straw n twine. Still makes a gorgeous blanket. Again beautiful blanket air but excessive amount of brush. This blanket b4 decor must b bout 20 25 alone mayb mor
we do not stake ours to the ground as they are heavy enough to stay in place, simple tent or garden stakes would work fine... also, anchoring pins used for landscape fabric work!
best video on the net i am going to try and make this myself for my grand parents and mom and dad and uncle just to many to purches from greenhouse what size is the chicken wire
This is beautiful. I have never seen a grave blanket and love this. Dpesthis go right over the grave like it sounds or does it go across the bottom of the stone?
Your blankets are SO much nicer and more beautiful than any that are available around here for sale, and even what I've seen on the internet. Great work Mike! Do you sell yours? I WANT to make one, but just don't have the time, nor the access to pine. LoL
That's it. That's all it is. a metal fence with branches weaven in evenly. Its so expensive. My grandma past away before I got a chance to know her. My mom and I drive to statin island almost every Christmas to decorate her grave and say a few words. This year I want to surprise my mom and make a Christmas blanket
It depends on decorations lik pine cones varying sizes, piks, stensil, xmas balls varying sizes the materials of making the blanket n also size. Small med lrg. If ur ever interested in making sum shoot me a message n id gladly gov u a few inexpensive ways to make them. U can get most the materials from around the house n yard
@@maggiedarban7450 unfortunately we do not have a website and now we are changing $65 … we have a listing on google business and on social media as spray’s landscape in Cheboygan, Michigan
You could attempt with artificial boughs. They are more detrimental to the environment than natural trees. We don't cut down trees for our boughs. We trim them from trees that stay alive and healthy.
we sell them here at Spray's Landscape in Cheboygan, MI in November and December each year- you can find us on google but we do not have a website- thank you!
In July our 10 year old neighbor boy went for his scheduled visit with his bio dad. He never came home. Bio dad shot him in his sleep then killed himself. His mother asked me to make his grave blanket for him, I have 30 years in the floral industry but have never made a grave blanket; only decorated them. I used this video and gave it a try. It was a beautiful success. If there were a way I could show you a picture I’d love to do that. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate this video and how much it has helped a grieving family to be able to have a custom grave blanket for their son’s site.
What is the exact measurements when the greens was finished? I got 2” on each end from the chicken wire? So I’m guessing it’s 1”-1 1/2” on the sides from chicken wire?
What state do you live in? How much are the grave blankets now, 2023. Also what is the total price including shipping please? I’d love one for my precious baby girl grave. I’d like the large one to cover the whole grave. 6 feet. Tia TFS! Blessings! 🙏❤️😊
sorry, guy's . would need my grocery store's delivery of xmas tree's for this. nice idea but too commercial not stuff readily available to knock up at home.
Brenda Butler no trees are cut down, boughs are collected as a part of a tree trimming process. So, no destruction. Artificial would be much more detrimental to the environment.
why would anyone spend so much on a dead relative? they have no idea and their not watching u from heaven. death isnt judgement day, their asleep in Christ.
Based on your comment, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. This is the 2nd year I have made a grave blanket for my granddaughter who was 2 years old when leukemia took her from us. It brings me comfort. I’m quite certain she watches us from heaven. I decorate her gravesite for every holiday. Quite sad you cannot understand that.
I’ve been a florist for over 40 years and I never made blankets that way. I’m going to now. Great work! I’ve used styrofoam lumber with hay. Your way is way better. Never too late to learn a better way. Thanks
Agreed, what a great technique! Thank you
Thomas would you happen to know where to get the balsam greens? thank you
I want to try my hand at making these for my family members, yet do not know where I could get the balsam branches. please give me ideas as to where I could.
You could cut balsam yourself off property or the woods. You could buy a cheap tree from Home Depot or wherever. You could also buy a larger tree than you want for your home. Many Christmas tree stands will sell off brush they need to cut off trees they sell. I buy mine from a wholesale florist
My wife found this video yesterday and this morning we placed our handmade grave blanket on her parents grave. The size of our blanket, if purchased at our local Christmas tree lot, would probably have cost us $150.
We paid $5 for a large bow and $18 for 25 ft of chicken wire!!!!! Wish I could send you a pic as it turned out beautifully😀
Thank you!
Thomas Crawley thank you so much for the info. yesterday was the first anniversary of my Beautiful Mom's Passing. I really want to make this. once again thank you very much.
Erica, I stumbled acrosss your video and was so impressed with the job you guys did that I attempted to make a grave blanket myself. I live in Staten Island and usually pay between $100 and $125 for a really full grave blanket. After spending $12 for a roll of chicken wire and getting all the free branches I wanted from a local Christmas tree stand, using your method, we made the fullest grave blanket ever. My wife decorated it beautifully with ribbons, ornaments, flowers and angels she accumulated over the years and everyone who saw it couldn't believe we made it ourselves! Thank you so much for the instructions you gave. You've started us on a fun, new Christmas tradition!............Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Vincent Pellizzi thank you! I’m happy it turned out so well for you
I loved this demo I have made two grave blankets and shared it with lots of friends. I however did learn how heavy they really become once they are completed. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
Wow I am absolutely amazed of how brilliant your method is for creating an evergreen blanket. I’ve made centerpieces that are smaller for a table setting and your way is much easier, and more affordable if you can get the greenery yourself & buy the chicken wire. I went to my husband friends home 5 acres, and he let me trim off branches of all the different types of evergreens. I’ve made a couple of hanging baskets, have 2 planters I need to do, and lastly the remainder to do a blanket similar to yours. Thank you for the great idea and Merry Christmas
Thanks so much for sharing this! My father passed away after an accident in May and this is our first Christmas without him. A couple months ago I began looking for information on grave blankets. I wanted to buy a nice one, but everything I saw online from stores from the year before didn't look very good. I saw this, showed it to my mom and told her I'd make one. I was a little unsure about it, but it turned out beautifully! So many people are telling me it's the most beautiful grave blanket they've ever seen.
Your instructions made it so easy! I watched the video a number of times, gathered my supplies, and then watched a little at a time, stopped, and ran out to the garage to do that part.
I can't thank you enough for making our first Christmas without dad a little nicer.
so happy to hear that it turned out well for you.
ajlowr where did you buy the greenery? I'm in Texas.
by far the BEST video and the prettiest grave blanket on you tube! Thanks so much for sharing your talent. I will be making these for my Mom, Brother and Father-in-law.
I'm not a florist and I made these many years ago for my Dad's grave. They always come out beautiful.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video and he is a great teacher! Thank you for sharing I've never seen or heard of this and I've been in the floral industry for 18 years
Petal to the Metal Flowers thank you!
It took me a while to realize what this was. Ooh, hit me kinda hard. He's fast. It is absolutely beautiful!!!
that was a great video- I need to remember this - the idea of the netting can be used for so many shapes- thanks!
Beautiful thank you so much for showing this and sharing how it's done
Thanks for the video. These aren't very common in southern Indiana but with your help we got-r-done.
Loved this!!! So glad I stumbled across it.
Spectacular, elegant and above all natural!
Looks amazing thankyou , you have inspired me to make an australian native one for a friends grave , i bet that spruce smells great🙏🇦🇺🐨
Beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration. Great job.
That with greens alone is beautiful, Mike. You can see the pride in your workmanship!
that really looks beautiful love it
Wow! You are amazing! I Love this!
I love this idea. I work for a cemetery and I have not seen anything like this around here.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Hi Wendy. Thanks for the compliments :) we currently do not ship grave blankets although we have shipped out wreaths in the past. I believe the pricing will be the same this year, if not it would only be a dollar or two more.
Beautiful Love this!!!
Beautiful!!
I love this so much. Difficult to deal w wire, but worth it. Took me about @n hour1/2 . Made it for my forever22 man. I’d put the pic if I could. It’s nicer then his...lol...thank you so much.
Beautiful, I made one for first time the way Mike did. Hopefully this season it might look like the one in video!
I hope so too!
What other kinds of greenery would you use instead of the pines, spruces, etc?
Its a beautiful blanket! I do agree its so much better than most sold out there! I just love the height and fullness of the ones you make... I do have a question please.... You wrote you sell yours for $52 fully decorated in 2012... Is this the same price you will sell them this year? Also .. I have two questions about shipping plz... #1 Do you ship yours out? #2 - How do you ship them? TY very much 4 taking time to make this video teaching others to do it! That is a very selfless act, so TY!!
This is beautiful. What are the dimentions of the wire? He said 3 ft but what is the other end and also, what was the final length of that one. I want to make a 6ft one. Thank you!!
Thanks for your kind words! So happy that you were able to make one successfully!
how many lbs. of boughs you using per blanket?
Great job sir!
I live in Texas and have never heard of a grave blanket. Ever !
I think more people do it up north to minimize the snow on the graves through winter. I live in Michigan, and they're pretty common here.
thank you so much for this helpful video!
very nice!!! im going to do this tonight
Thanks everyone for your kind words !
How much greens do you use?
If I buy 50# balsam boughs, how many of these would that make?
Awesome!
What are the approximate final measurements of this blanket? I live in south GA and Ive never heard of these. I suppose that you lay this over a slab in a cemetery...correct? I thought this was a video about CASKET blankets, however, this is very interesting and I may try one some time. Thanks so much for the info. Beautiful job.
Valerie Griner yes, people usually lay them over the ground by the headstone in the cemeteries. The final product is about 4-5 feet long and 2-3 feet wide
I really enjoyed this video, they are just beautiful and so full. I would love to help make them for the experience. where are you located, I am in Macomb mi.
we are located in Cheboygan, Michigan. And we have a small family operation!
Great video, u guys must b busy this time of year
Victoria Payton thank you! And yes we are pretty busy !!
Great idea,Iove
I have made Grave blanket for many years ,but I am going to try this like it very much, but not tell me how much retail ????
Very beautiful. It was difficult hearing since I was at work and didn't want everyone to hear. Where do I order one? I don't want it decorated for Xmas but want it more springy. If it can't be done, I would just like the greens the way it was arranged and I can add palms, etc. Please give me all info so I can purchase one. I live in Berkeley heights, N.J.
you could call us to order one, but shipping would be extraordinarily expensive as the blankets end product are nearly 5 feet long and weigh close to 40 lbs...we are at Spray's Landscape in Cheboygan, Michigan. we have a facebook page as well.
Can you tell me what size the chicken wire would be cut to for an infant's grave? I'm not sure of the typical size for a baby blanket. I lost my full-term baby granddaughter in April this year and I would like to make something special for her.
He said 1 inch chicken wire.
Hi! We have a tree farm in Indiana and may try this method this year. How much do you charge for this type of grave blanket after it’s been decorated. I’d love to see the finished, ready to sell blanket too.
Thank you!
Lance Sambol
Sambol’s Tree Farm
We usually charge around $55-$60 ... will post a fully decorated one this fall when we start our season! Thank you!
I live in Kalamazoo mi do you guys ship these grave blankets? I get one every year for my daughters grave but I can never find any that look so thick and beautiful like that
+jennie hodges I'm sorry we are unable to ship grave blankets! we are located in Cheboygan Michigan if you are in the area, start making them Nov. 1!
Iv ben making grave blankets for 20yrs now n by far this is the hardest way iv ever seen. No doubt ots a beautiful blanket but to spend all that money on chicken wire is not cost effective. Also balsam doesn't truly push well if u hav even a decent bundle. A bundle is How the brush comes in if u get it from canada. Straw n basket made from lathe n chicken wire works n a new method Iv come up with recently is wood straw n twine. Still makes a gorgeous blanket. Again beautiful blanket air but excessive amount of brush. This blanket b4 decor must b bout 20 25 alone mayb mor
That is an awesome video..Thank you for sharing..My one question is, how do they stake these to the ground?
we do not stake ours to the ground as they are heavy enough to stay in place, simple tent or garden stakes would work fine... also, anchoring pins used for landscape fabric work!
Thank you so much..
Where did you get the wire from
What kind of wire is he using? I love this video!
just basic chicken wire fencing!
What the name of the greenery plant you used
And for a snow tipped effect use white spray paint
best video on the net i am going to try and make this myself for my grand parents and mom and dad and uncle just to many to purches from greenhouse what size is the chicken wire
How long will this last? I understand that weather plays a role but what is the average time these stay looking fresh?
They last all winter into the early spring here in northern Michigan. They are for outdoor use and we only use fresh cut greens so that helps.
wondeful
well we live in northern Michigan, we could probably get more for them elsewhere!
Cities like Saginaw and Bay City sell them for as much as $160!
This is beautiful. I have never seen a grave blanket and love this. Dpesthis go right over the grave like it sounds or does it go across the bottom of the stone?
Natalia Lopes people usually place them directly over the grave
Your blankets are SO much nicer and more beautiful than any that are available around here for sale, and even what I've seen on the internet. Great work Mike!
Do you sell yours? I WANT to make one, but just don't have the time, nor the access to pine. LoL
thank you! we do sell them, we are located in Cheboygan Michigan :)
That's it. That's all it is. a metal fence with branches weaven in evenly. Its so expensive. My grandma past away before I got a chance to know her. My mom and I drive to statin island almost every Christmas to decorate her grave and say a few words. This year I want to surprise my mom and make a Christmas blanket
Did you do it?
KyleMatthew Raven why is this expensive?
It depends on decorations lik pine cones varying sizes, piks, stensil, xmas balls varying sizes the materials of making the blanket n also size. Small med lrg. If ur ever interested in making sum shoot me a message n id gladly gov u a few inexpensive ways to make them. U can get most the materials from around the house n yard
Could you make these and somehow attach them to the top of a headstone?
these measure about 5 1/2 feet long, would be too large for a headstone topper. They are designed to be laid on the ground at the gravesite
What do you recommend charging for something such as this?
Browning’s in 2019 we charged $59 for a full size fully decorated grave blanket.
@@WilkinsonErica wow! I was expecting it to be in the region of 300! What is your website please?
@@maggiedarban7450 unfortunately we do not have a website and now we are changing $65 … we have a listing on google business and on social media as spray’s landscape in Cheboygan, Michigan
You could attempt with artificial boughs. They are more detrimental to the environment than natural trees. We don't cut down trees for our boughs. We trim them from trees that stay alive and healthy.
Is there a website for this guy. Does he sell them? Beautiful work.
we sell them here at Spray's Landscape in Cheboygan, MI in November and December each year- you can find us on google but we do not have a website- thank you!
In July our 10 year old neighbor boy went for his scheduled visit with his bio dad. He never came home. Bio dad shot him in his sleep then killed himself. His mother asked me to make his grave blanket for him, I have 30 years in the floral industry but have never made a grave blanket; only decorated them. I used this video and gave it a try. It was a beautiful success. If there were a way I could show you a picture I’d love to do that. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate this video and how much it has helped a grieving family to be able to have a custom grave blanket for their son’s site.
What is the exact measurements when the greens was finished? I got 2” on each end from the chicken wire? So I’m guessing it’s 1”-1 1/2” on the sides from chicken wire?
Finished grave blankets are approximately 5 foot in length, are 2 1/2 feet wide and stand about 1 1/2 feet high.
@@WilkinsonErica thank you
they retail for $52 fully decorated (bows, cones and berries) this year 2012
What state do you live in? How much are the grave blankets now, 2023. Also what is the total price including shipping please? I’d love one for my precious baby girl grave. I’d like the large one to cover the whole grave. 6 feet. Tia TFS! Blessings! 🙏❤️😊
Do you have another way to make this, other than with greenery? If so, is there a video?
Beverly Clark no, we only make them with greenery but I’m sure you could use other materials if you wanted!
no, sorry, we only make these with fresh cut boughs
Where do you get the greens/branches?
We buy boughs from people that cut/harvest them using sustainable forestry methods.
What kind of branches are you using
deanna weber we use balsam, white pine, whatever we have
I’d love to see it decorated.
you can see photos on our facebook page @SpraysGarden
@@WilkinsonErica can’t find this on Facebook? Help!
What metal is that? Is it hard chicken wire? Thank you
It is chicken wire
and thats decorated
How long was your chicken wire again?
For a full size blanket he starts with 3 ft of chicken wire
Does it stay in tight ?
yes
has to be at least $100.00
no good will catch wind and be on every grave in the cemetery!!!
Ken Kall actually they are quite heavy and do not require any stakes to hold them in place but thank you
sorry, guy's . would need my grocery store's delivery of xmas tree's for this. nice idea but too commercial not stuff readily available to knock up at home.
but yu have to cut down trees and i dont want to do that can you just use the fake branches rather than real
Brenda Butler no trees are cut down, boughs are collected as a part of a tree trimming process. So, no destruction. Artificial would be much more detrimental to the environment.
why would anyone spend so much on a dead relative? they have no idea and their not watching u from heaven. death isnt judgement day, their asleep in Christ.
Based on your comment, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. This is the 2nd year I have made a grave blanket for my granddaughter who was 2 years old when leukemia took her from us. It brings me comfort. I’m quite certain she watches us from heaven. I decorate her gravesite for every holiday. Quite sad you cannot understand that.