I can feel just a slight change in temperature and some leaves are turning to orange and yellow. Everyone seems to have a "brisker" step. Love it!
I was at the feed store the other day to pick up some cat food and the owners were setting up their autumn display. They had stacked hay bales and were using them to display pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. They also have actual corn stalks from Indiana (corn included). I had forgotten just how tall those stalks could get!
Anyway, they had opened some of the husks and inside were the most beautiful ears of corn that were so rich in deep yellow color, they looked artificial. Well, you know me, I became instantly inspired.
I'm thinking how a centerpiece, featuring a pumpkin, would look really festive and bring the autumn season indoors. This centerpiece can have three variations depending on what you'd like.
We can: 1) decorate the face of the pumpkin then embellish the surrounding area with miniature pumpkins, gourds, multi-colored squash, corn with husks (both Indian and regular corn if available), 2) carve the pumpkin face in lieu of painting one on, hollow out the insides and place a votive candle inside for illumination. Surround the pumpkin with the same items as #1 but be extremely careful that none of the dry items, like the husks, comes into contact with the candle flame. 3) hollow out the pumpkin, paint a pumpkin face then sit a container inside the pumpkin that you have arranged with a mixture of fall flowers and potpourri.
As you can see, this craft project requires very little in regard to supplies.
Items needed will depend on your choice of centerpiece: pumpkin (medium size), craft paint for face, carving utensil (adults only), miniature gourds, squash, Indian corn, regular corn, husks, straw, acorns, pine cones, pine needles and fall leaves (if available) otherwise, check with your local craft store. You can also use silk fall leaves in lieu of the real thing. Additional items, dried or silk fall flowers or mixture of both, container, foam base, autumn scented potpourri, scented candle, colored moss). Snippet: Keep your cornhusks. They can be used to make a cornhusk wreath base.
Project 1: Great Pumpkin face. This is the easiest one of all and would be great for the kids. First, decide what type of "face" you want your pumpkin to have. I would suggest outlining it first, then paint. If you plan on putting the pumpkin on your dining table, place the pumpkin in some sort of flat container. Something like a cookie sheet so the moisture of the pumpkin does not seep through especially if you have a wooden table. Place a layer of straw and/or a mixture of straw and pine needles on the container, center your painted pumpkin and then surround with the miniature corn, gourds and squash. Fill in with husks, add some acorns and fall leaves. Sprinkle the autumn scented potpourri throughout. With this project, as with the others, you can embellish with any other type of fall ornament or holiday ornament you'd like. Have fun!
