Monday, August 26, 2013

DIY Make a Sugar & Spice Garland

How to make a garland of dried apples, oranges rind, nutmeg, cinnamon, anise, bay leaves and nuts. This will add the perfect Fall scent to any room!

You will need the following materials:
6 strands of Raffia, 1 yard of each
24 cinnamon sticks
27 dried apple slices
24 dried orange ribbon slices
24 bay leaves 
Floral wire 18-22 gauge
Large Nail

Preparing your dried fruit:
First you need to completely dry your fruit slices. Slice your fruit into 1/4 inch slices and place on a paper towel lined dish, then cover with more paper towels. Line a glass pie pan with 4 layers of paper towels and microwave the fruit for 3 minutes. Turn the fruit over and microwave another 3 minutes. Then you will need to let the fruit dry out for another day or two. Speed up the drying time by placing the fruit in a warm dry place. To dry the apples you will need to put the slices in lemon juice to prevent them from discoloring. Then follow the microwave instructions for the citrus fruit!

Instructions: 
Take a foot length of wire and twist a small loop at one end. Run 3 strands of raffia through the loop and knot them in the center. You can use any length of wire to adjust the materials properly.

Break all of the cinnamon sticks in half. Use a large nail to make a small hole in the center of each one. The hole should just be large enough to thread the wire through. 

Push the wire through the center of three apple slices to begin the garland. Add three cinnamon sticks then three orange slices, 3 bay leaves then another three cinnamon sticks. Add three more apple slices to start the pattern again. Continue stringing the materials in this order until everything is gone or until you have reached the desired length of the garland. 

Finish the garland by twisting the wire into a loop at the end and running the other three strands of raffia through the loop. Tie the raffia in a knot at the center of the lengths. Hang the garland by tying the raffia ends onto it. Drape it however you wish!



4 comments:

  1. I know this is an older post, but I was curious as to how many whole oranges and apples this will take to make (roughly)?

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    Replies
    1. Depending on how big you're wanting the slices, 4 of each normally.

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    2. Ok, cool. Thanks! That helps :)

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    3. No problem! It is a fun little project especially with Fall coming up. It makes the house smell like Fall, I love it!

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