MAKE NATURAL DECORATIONS... FOR LESS

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9. Now it's time to glue on your flowers, nuts, and berries. The easiest way to do this is to remember that your garland is six 1-foot sections. Your aim is space out your drieds in six equidistant groups. To do this, lay your garland out the length of your table. Starting with the red, place all six yarrow heads evenly right alongside your garland; then take your lamb's ears and place two by each yarrow piece; next, the Queen Anne's lace, then the rosehips, until all your accent pieces are distributed in the six groupings.

10. Now, working with your first group of drieds, carefully arrange your yarrow, hydrangea, and lamb's ears within the first foot section of your garland, using all the drieds for that section. (See photo for my arrangement but feel free to create your own.)

After the flowers are arranged to your liking, glue the 1-foot section of drieds in place, making sure that the stems of larger items (yarrow, teasels) get glued to the base.

11. Create the same arrangement five more times down the garland and glue each section. Now stand back and take a good look at your work. Your eyes should travel easily down the garland with equal spacing and repetition of design. If you catch a hole or a missing color, just make corrections until the garland looks full.

12. Spray dried flowers, nuts, and berries with a clear acrylic spray for added shine and moisture protection.

After you've finished decorating your garland, it's time to decide which way you're going to use it. To hang, make a small loop on the back of the braid with wreath wire and use a sturdy nail.

When it's time to store, place the garland carefully in a box and tuck tissue paper all around. You may have to replace some of the drieds next year, but any loose items can be fixed with a glue gun quite easily. The fresh greens should keep just fine as long as you remember to use long-lasting ones like white pine, white cedar, arborvitae, balsam, or boxwood. Beware of hemlock and spruce, as they tend to dry out quickly.

And remember, if by February it's time for the garlands to be replaced by other decorations, think about your front porch. Hung vertically, just next to the door (as long as it's not in direct rain or wind), it adds a great touch.

Editors note: Susi Jacobson has foraged, created, and sold her natural designs for eight years in Munster, PA, alongside woodcarver Tom McCarty and their daughter Holly. A teacher she has written A Country Woman's Guide to Drieds. She can be contacted at Rd. 1, Box 597, Munster, PA 15938.

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