Make your own Branch Centerpiece

Decorating your home with branches is a great way to add interest to your décor. You can shop for branches online at walmart.com or you can make your own by using branches from your trees.

Using your own branches is a frugal and fun way to create unique decorations. I have created branch decorations for under $10.00, of course, it does take the time to complete but if you enjoy doing crafts then you will love making branch centerpieces.

The best time to gather branches in late summer or after the trees or shrubs have been pruned. If you have no branches then look for them at a park.  Look for a branch that is 18 to 24 inches in length, it should have a straight center branch then side branches.

Clean the branch with warm soapy Dawn antibacterial dish soap to remove excess dirt. Let the branch air dry. When the branches are dry you would then treat them with a pesticide to kill any insects. Allow the branches to dry.

Spray paint the branches the color of your choice. I like the colors gold, silver or white, but you can choose the color that you like. Use a spray paint like the brand name Krylon or Rust-Oleum.  It is best to spray the branches lightly otherwise it can be messy. You can always reapply the paint with second spraying.

When branches are dry, secure them so they are standing upright. Buy from the craft store a Styrofoam block and a hot glue gun. Push the branches into the center of the Styrofoam block and use a glue gun to keep the branches in place. Gluing around the top of Styrofoam and the base of the branch is good.

When branches are secure you would then put the Styrofoam block into the display box or vase. If using a vase to display your branches then choose one that is not clear, a pattern or color vase, pot or urn is best.

Decorating Ideas

Decorate your branches with glitter by spraying the tip of the branches with glue then dust the branches in the glitter.

You can also decorate your branches with Halloween lights or garland. For autumn drape a swag of autumn leaves or small lightweight autumn season ornaments.

Here is another way to decorate, learn how to use the leaves from your trees.  

Easy to Make Pumpkins in Wheelbarrow Decorations

One of my favorite outdoor decorations for the autumn season is the wheelbarrow planter. This decoration is fun to put together, you can make it with your kids as an afternoon autumn activity.

There are no rules as to how to put this outdoor decoration together however you do need to be creative and have fun.  Here is an outdoor display that I designed  I hope that it inspires you to make your own outdoor decorations for the autumn season.  

Directions for Outdoor Autumn Decorations

1. Shop for nursery-grown potted mums but instead of setting them in the wheelbarrow in the plastic planter, buy a decorative pot, I like the metal ones because they are more interesting, and give the planter a “farm look”. If you have clay pots then use that.
2. Buy an assortment of mum colors like yellow and burgundy or orange flowers. Buy a variety of real pumpkins choose small , medium and large. You may also want to buy a white pumpkin for contrast and interest.
3. Set up your wheelbarrow as a feature in your yard. When you determine the location I recommend that you put a rock in front of the wheel so that it does not move forward.

For wheelbarrow, flowers do the following

• Start with your tallest plants in the back and work forward. Separate the plants with pumpkins, add pine cones and autumn leaves to your display. Even cut sunflowers will add to the arrangement. Sunflowers that are dried do not lose their color, or you can add silk flowers and leaves, do this if your wheelbarrow is protected from the rain.
• Buy a hay bale and set it next to the wheelbarrow. Decorate the hay bale with the remaining pumpkins or buy an outdoor scarecrow to sit on top of the hay.

Flowers in Pumpkin Base Autumn Decor How To

When it comes to decorating my home for the autumn season  I use fresh pumpkins and create floral arrangements for my tables. I prefer to use natural products for my centerpieces including the flower insert but have used silk floral arrangements also.

Fresh pumpkins are not expensive considering you get a fabulous decoration and get to make pumpkin pie with the puree.  Here is an art set that I designed that will inspire you to make your own flowers in a pumpkin autumn decoration for your home.

Autumn Floral Arrangement by sgolis 

How to Make Flowers in Pumpkin Decorations

1. Shop at the pumpkin patch or at your locally for a medium rounded pumpkin with a stem. 
2. Look the pumpkin over by checking it for bruises to the flesh or discoloration. You will need a nearly perfect pumpkin for this seasonal decoration.
3. When you get the pumpkin home wash the outside it to remove any dirt. 
4. Set the pumpkin with the  stem facing upward. determine how big the opening should be to hold a potted chrysanthemum plant. 
5. Cut the pumpkin to allow an opening for autumn season flowers.
6. Remove the seeds and the pumpkin pulp. Keep the seeds because you can roast them. Keep the pulp to make puree for pie or other baked goods; cookies or muffins.
7. Wash the inside of the pumpkin. Make sure the strings are removed and that surface is clean. There should be no pulp remaining, you want a clean pumpkin shell.
8. Let the pumpkin dry thoroughly. When the pumpkin is dry you would then set a potted chrysanthemum into the pumpkin. Or make your own bouquet; buy a variety of silk flower stems from the craft center like Hobby Lobby or Walmart.com.

Tips remove the real plant from the pumpkin to water. Let it drain thoroughly before putting back in the pumpkin

Easy Autumn Floral Centerpiece Instructions

One of my clients had asked me if I could make an autumn centerpiece for her.  She had seen one at Hobby Lobby that she liked but did not want to pay the asking price.  She had many craft items as well as an assortment of silk and dried autumn flowers and grasses.  

 I went to Hobby Lobby and looked at the centerpiece. I could make it and so I accepted the contract.  My out of pocket was minimal and compensation was more than enough considering I had fun making the autumn floral centerpiece.

I made the floral arrangements as seen on my clients table

For this project I used:
2- Already made craft dowel vases from the craft store
Florist craft dry foam
Florist tape
Natural craft raffia 8 ounces of long strong fibers
2 bouquets of assorted wildflower and sunflower matching bouquets
Dried stems of  thistle, wheat, and assorted grass plumes
Hot glue gun

To make this arrangement I cut a piece of dry florist foam and taped in the bottom of the wood vase.   I used the florist tape to wrap around the silk bouquet and naturally dried accents. This ensured that the flowers would stay gathered in the bouquet and would not separate.

Add natural dried grasses to the arrangement

In order to keep the flower stems from dropping hot glued them before I inserted them into florist dry foam. It is best to put the stems into the center of the foam.  When the glue is dry and flower are secure then work with the flowers and grass stems to make them look pretty.  I decorated this arrangement with a raffia bow. Wrap the raffia around the vase several times. The raffia bow will face to the front with long ties.  Keep the raffia in place by using your hot glue gun to attach the wrap to the woodcraft vase.

And you are done. I hope you will enjoy making this pretty autumn centerpiece.

Grass arrangement in a clay pot by Pixabay public domain photos:http://pixabay.com/en/dried-flowers-bouquet-clay-pot-233303/