Sunday, November 9, 2014

Thanksgiving Topiaries

When I think about Thanksgiving, I think about spices, pumpkin pie, and all that goodness coming from the kitchen.  And I really love to create something pretty for my table for Thanksgiving.  So, I came up with this idea to crush old potpourri in a food processor and add spices and yummy smells to the mix, then glue it all to foam cones to make Thanksgiving Topiaries.

Check out this video from a few years ago when I was in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I think you'll like it, just because it will give you a great idea to spice things up on YOUR Thanksgiving table.

P.S.  Don't laugh at my hair!  LOL

Here's what you'll need :

Bagged Potpourri
Food Processor
Cloves
Cinnamon Sticks
Craft Stick
White Craft Glue
Foam Cones & Spheres
Ground Spices
Rubber Band
Ribbon
Tea Lights
Candleholders & Tray
Grab a bag of potpourri and some spices out of the kitchen, because in less than an hour you can make a Spicy Centerpiece! These pretty trees and candles are made with foam shapes and a secret technique with your food processor. Who knew!
Steps:
1. Crush potpourri in a food processor. Be sure to remove large pieces of wood or sticks that would harm the processor. Add a few cloves to add to the fragrance of the mix. Pour the mixture into a shallow bowl.
2. If you want a row of cinnamon sticks around the base, adhere them all the way around the cone with glue. Use a rubber band to hold until dried completely.
3. Spread a generous amount of glue with a craft stick, to completely cover the entire cone. Lay the glue-covered cone into the potpourri mixture as your roll it and scoop handfuls of the mixture over the glue, until it is completely covered.
4. Pour ground spices over the cone to fill in any spaces that are not covered with the potpourri.
5. Press a decorative pinecone or dried flower from the bagged potpourri, into the top of the cone. Let it dry.
6. Tie a ribbon around the base of the cone, tying it into a bow. Place the completed cone on a candleholder and display on a coordinating tray.
7. For the tea light candles, cut a sphere in half, scoop out a hole to place the tea light. Follow the previous steps to cover with potpourri and let it dry. Glue ribbon around the sphere and push a tea light into the top to complete.
Pattie’s Pointer:
This is a fantastic way to use old potpourri that has lost aroma, but too good to throw away. Simply add a few fragrant cloves to the mixture for that holiday fragrance. Not only is this a pretty Thanksgiving centerpiece, but it will also move right into your Christmas decorations by changing the orange plaid ribbon to red velvet bows. Make several to add pizzazz to a holiday buffet that will be sure to impress your guests!

Happy Crafting!
Pattiewack

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