Savor the Season: Centerpieces

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
~George Eliot

Autumn is indefinitely my favorite season, and one for which I truly enjoy decorating our home. I try to savor each minute of decorating rather than throw all of my things up in a hurry- in the same sense that one sips a mug of steamy hot cocoa on a cool evening. The effect is lost otherwise. :o)

I began decorating for the season by creating a new centerpiece for our dining room table. Last year, I used a ready-made centerpiece (I believe) among other things, and I wanted a new look for not much money. Here is my solution:

For this centerpiece, you need:

• 2 faux foam pumpkins (one slightly smaller than the other)
• decorative wire garland (I used 2 lengths)
• hot glue and glue gun
• a sharp knife

The first thing I did to create this centerpiece was to take a sharp knife and saw the stem off the top of the larger of the two foam pumpkins. This would create a smooth surface for stacking them.

Then I applied a generous amount of hot glue to the bottom of the smaller pumpkin and pressed it onto the top of the larger one.

Then I took my wire garlands and twisted them out straight, spreading out the individual pieces. When spread, I bent each garland in half. Finally I formed each garland into a circle, securing the ends by twisting them together.

I laid one "garland circle" on my cake plate in the center of our table, placed the pumpkin tower on top of it, and then wrapped the second circle around the middle of the tower. To give it added fullness, I tucked in some fabric "leaves" which I had purchased last year on clearance. I am very pleased with the effect. :o)

Flanked with some hurricane globes with golden pillars, I think it makes for a wonderfully festive look.

Some additional ideas for autumn centerpieces would include:

• Filling a large hurricane globe with layers of dried beans, popcorn, and peas and nestling a candle in the center.
• An arrangement of small pumpkins and gourds in a pretty bowl.
• A pumpkin which has been cut and hulled out for a bright flowerpot of chrysanthemums.
• An arrangement of autumn-hued candles on a platter or large plate.

Tomorrow...place settings!

Comments

[Linna]

Ever so beautiful!Thank you for sharing this easy project.

[Chrissy]

Thanks for sharing. Turned out fabulous!

[Chrissy]

Thanks for sharing. Turned out fabulous!

[Shan]

Dearest Mrs. Wilt,

You have outdone yourself. I plan to pick up the makings for this centerpiece and create one myself. Oh, how I love the fall!!

Kindredly yours,
Shan

[Mrs. Elliott]

It looks beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Vida]

What a fun centerpiece! In reading your post, we just realized we haven't put any fall things out yet. Thanks for the reminder and inspiring idea!

~ Vida, Ashley, and Ruth

[Michelle]

How lovely - but I must say that I've never seen a foam pumpkin for sale here in Australia! Pumpkins must be the US National Vegetable!

Love Michelle

[Mrs. Bonnie]

That turned out just lovely! I've seen a slightly similair(sp?) one done with real mini pumpkins, coat hangers, and a flower pot. I'm hoping to try it out this year.
Enjoying the decorating posts, I was starting to miss them!

[Mrs. Wilt]

LOL about pumpkins being our national vegetable! It is very true that you can almost just as easily find faux food as real food here, though, and some of it actually looks good enough to eat! :o)

I have seen this done with real pumpkins too- on a front porch or in planters (which I want to try this year as well). The fake pumpkins give a bit more "staying power", however. Best wishes to anyone trying this project- make sure to use LOTS of hot glue and let it dry completely. ;o)

In His joy, Mrs. Wilt

[Melissa]

So lovely!

[Keriann]

Oh I love that! I think I'll do this over the weekend-thanks for the inspiration!

[Leigh]

I just made this centerpiece and it's gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing!

[~Kayla~]

That is beautiful! THNX for showing us how it's done!

[Amy]

I am running out to get the supplies today :) Thank you so much for such a cute idea and the instructions on how to do it!!

[mimi]

I usually dislike fall decrations, but this is very elegant and tasteful. You have a great sense of style! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Catherine]

Your display is beautiful. I am very envious that you can get things like that. You just don't get the selection over here. How I long to visit the States again!!