How it all begins…

Last week I went to a fabulous craft fair.  There were hundreds of very talented crafts people there.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I can’t wait to go again next year! So many wonderful ideas.  One item that I loved was a wreath made from dried limes, oranges and cinnamon sticks.  I tried drying fruit once before, unsuccessfully I might add. So I wasn’t interested in doing that, but I was interested in working with cinnamon.  Cinnamon, cloves, oranges; I was on a mission.  It has been years since I last made a pomander (something aromatic that used to be for scenting linens/clothes). They are quite easy to make.  A simple cooking thermometer can be used to poke small holes into an orange.  This is where you can be creative with different designs!  I did a fancy “S” on two sides, and then rows of three on the other sides.

The cloves go in easily when using a cooking thermometer to make holes in an orange.

Rows of three on two sides, and a fancy “S” on the other sides.

I used a ribbon just to break up the space, and I pinned it on the top and bottom to keep it in place.  Easy enough!  Now, what to do with the pomander?  I decided on making a table wreath arrangement.  I used a straw framed circle wreath, floral pins (or “u” pins), greens and my garden shears.

Straw frame circle wreath

Garden shears, eucalyptus, holly, and evergreens

I really enjoy working with my hands and getting a little creative time.  To me, this is the fun part of getting ready for Christmas!  Being given eucalyptus from my neighbor the other day really made me smile.  I’ve added eucalyptus to my “need to buy for the garden” list!  How awesome to have such different textures and colors right there in the back/front yard!  It smells lovely, too!

table wreath in process. (You can see the plastic plate in the center)

clove & orange pomander with cinnamon sticks

I used a small rubber band to keep three cinnamon sticks in place, and then tied them with a ribbon.  I used three oranges, and paired them with three cinnamon sticks.  I had a large pretty white candle that fit in the center of the wreath nicely.  I was delighted that it all just came together.  The arrangement is sitting on a clear plastic plate.

aerial view – groups of threes!

We didn’t have any red berries last year, yet this year there are so many!  I just had to use them.  🙂

Clove & Orange Pomander Wreath

You can see the lights to our Christmas tree in the background.

Finished candle table arrangement made of clove & orange pomander with cinnamon.

I hope your Christmas preparations are going well and that you are able to enjoy the process!  Slowing down is the hardest part for me.  I just need to speed things up for a couple more days and THEN, hopefully, I can slow the pace down!

Merry Christmas!
Dana