Product Spotlight

• Gorgeous Gourds

  This week we are going to explore how to decorate using mini decorative pumpkins and gourds. Linder’s has them in all shapes and sizes starting at $0.89 each. For $20.00 you can transform your dining room table or mantle into a picturesque horn of plenty. Find any large clear or transparent vase or container that you have around the house. Round or square, tall or short it does not matter. Fill your container with a grouping of like varieties and colors or mix it up and try a little of everything. It’s best to wash the fruit first as some can be a bit dusty or dirty fresh from the field. Gourds must be completely dry before placing them in the vases. Any moisture could lead to premature decomposition.

  
  

  If you have a lower style vase try adding some candles. A Single pillar or a variety of tapered candles at different heights can add cozy warmth on the cool fall nights.  When placing the tapered candles I recommend cutting off the bottom to reach the desired height. Then add a bit of hot melt glue to secure the candle amongst the gourds.

  Fresh Flower Arrangements are a fun project with gourds. For the mum covered pumpkins simply take a small nail and poke holes all around your gourd from top to bottom. Cut the blooms off any variety of daisy mum leaving about ¼ of an inch of the stem. Insert the stems one at a time all the way around starting at the top. I recommend securing each with a bit of oasis floral adhesive. Fill in large gaps by puncturing again in the bare spots. Keep the arrangements cool and they will survive for several days just on the moisture in the pumpkins.

  For a more advanced arrangement try a mediums sized fruit hollowed out and filled with fresh stems.  Scrape out as much of the interior of the pumpkin as possible. If you are designing the container on a slant you will want to use floral foam inside the pumpkin to secure the stems. I also created a decorative base with twisted curly willow to set the pumpkin on. If you choose an upright style there is no need for the foam or willow base. Fill the vessel with fall roses, leucedendron and mixed berries. Very important to keep this arrangement cool and to change the water daily.

  Posted on September 26, 2012

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