"A word fitly spoken is like
apples of gold in pictures of silver"
Proverbs 16:24

Autumn Decorating Tips~*~
From Janet McCarron

-Place a pot on a terra cotta tray that is one size larger than the pot (to have room around the pot to decorate). In the pot place a potted mum, and use the tray to surround it with fall leaves and seedpods. Tie several pieces of raffia around the pot and tie a bow. This is neat in an entry way or on a porch.

-Galvanized buckets come in all sizes and you usually can find them on clearance this time of year. Tie a torn piece of cotton in fall colors around the middle into a bow and fill the bucket with pinecones, gourds, acorns and fall leaves.

-Using a terra cotta tray as a base, place a large autumn scented pillar candle. Surround the candle with real or silk sunflowers, placing them on the tray.

-Use an inexpensive shallow wicker basket and line it with fall leaves. On top of those place 2 or 3 miniature ears of Indian corn with the husks still attached on each side of the basket. In the middle place a pie sized pumpkin with a raffia bow tied around the stem.

-Fill clear glass vases or glasses with twigs, nuts, cinnamon sticks, herb sprigs or other seed pods. If you have three vases of different heights you can group them on a tray covered with leaves or corn stalks for a rustic looks. You can also tie a raffia bow around each glass.

-Place three mini pumpkins that you've hallowed out on a terracotta tray. Insert a fall scented candle into each pumpkin. On the tray scatter acorns, cranberries, and pinecones.

-Use a medium sized apple basket and line it with pine branches so they stick out of the top fairly evenly around the basket. Place apples, pinecones and a purchased scarecrow in the basket. You could use a wicker basket with this as well, and add a fall themed bow.

-Floating candles are nice too. Place them in a pretty glass bowl and surround the bowl with fall leaves, twigs, and other natural treasures.

-Hollow out a pumpkin big enough to hold a small or medium sized mum. Keep it in the plastic pot that it's in when you purchase it and insert it into the pumpkin. Use moss to cover the top of the pot. If you wish you can add a fall themed bow and attach it with wire or a long pin to the pumpkin.

-The mini bales of straw are so much fun to work with! You can wire two of them together for a neat centerpiece using a scarecrow and a mini pumpkin accented with fall silk flowers.

-Fill a glass bowl with fresh cranberries that have been frozen the day before. Place 3 tea lights in the bowl to nestle in the cranberries. This is simple but pretty!