Bringing the feeling of autumn into my home is something I enjoy as I endeavor to make it a sanctuary where everyone feels warm and comfortable and at the same time celebrate the seasons. Taking off your shoes and snuggling up on the sofa is standard operating procedure, guests and all!
Since this is the season of giving thanks for the harvests provided to us throughout the year, symbolizing the earth's bounty by creating a table centerpiece with flowers, pinecones, leaves, acorns, miniature pumpkins, squash and Indian corn, is a tribute to all we have to be thankful for.
The basket we're going to create is what I call my Basket-o-Plenty. It can be large or small and can contain your favorite items. The basket is inspired completely by your own vision. There is no right or wrong. I'll share with you how I make mine and then we can "Go Forth and Create!"
Supplies needed: · Large basket apx. 14" long, 12" wide and 6" deep, w/wo handle. · Natural colored filler · Foam blocks (3 - 4) · Assorted Fall flowers (dried & silk varieties) · Corn husks (available at the craft store) · Artificial grapes (green, red, purple, 1 bunch each) · Miniature pumpkins, Indian corn, acorn and yellow squash · Pine cones (various sizes depending on size of basket) · Leaves (I use artificial or preserved) · Glue gun · Clippers (for stems) · Florist pens
Snippet: You can use artificial vegetables or fresh produce this is entirely up to you.
Begin by placing the foam blocks in the bottom of the basket. These are used to give height to the filler. Strategically place the pumpkin, squash and corn at each end of the basket creating two focal points. Nestle the veggies into place and add more filler around them if necessary to keep them in place. At each end of the basket and at the center, place and drape over the sides a bunch of grapes. You can use the florist pens to secure the grapes to the foam block. Once you have the veggies placed the way you want them, you can use hot glue to help keep them from moving/rolling around, this is optional.
Another Snippet: Sometimes when I need to secure an item, I will cut a small wedge of foam and "pen" it to the larger piece of foam. This creates various heights throughout the piece and gives me someplace to anchor hard to secure items, example, grapes.
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