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Monday, January 18, 2016

Craft Fun with Herbs, #2 - Orange Wreath How Tuesday

This is the second winter craft post, if you would like to see the scented stones we posted first, check out this post.

Make an Dried Orange Wreath

It is Martin Luther King Day, many people and kids are home today and I thought I would continue my craft series with a wreath you can make to brighten up your home and make it smell great too!


Dry the Oranges

First you will need dried oranges.  This is a great warm-the-house project and it smells good too!


Slice 4 to 5 oranges into uniform thin slices.  The thinner the quicker they dry, but too thin and you will see more curling.  Try to keep the slices the same thickness so they dry evenly.

Pat them dry with paper toweling to get as much moisture off as possible.

Place the slices directly on the wire oven racks. No need to use a tray, because you want the air to circulate all around the slices.

Bake the slices in the oven at 200 degrees for a several hours (about 2 and 1/2)  until they are dry to the touch.  Do not over bake them or they will darken to brown.
dried slices cooling on the counter
I found that the slices darkened as they continued to dry after I took them out of the oven. 


Making the Wreath



Once they were dry and cool.  I began top construct the wreath. Here are all the tools I needed:
     a hot or cool glue gun
     a 12 inch wreath base (I used grape vine, but you can use fabric covered Styrofoam or other style
     scissors
     and a prepared space to work.

Step 1

Cut a few of the orange slices in half.  You need about 10 to 11 halves for a 12 inch wreath.

Step 2 

Glue the halves onto the wreath base around the center circle, making sure the edges touch.



Step 3

Begin adding whole slices to the wreath covering the spots where the haves touch.


 Step 4

Continue adding more slices to fill in the spaces between whole slices until the entire wreath base is covered and cannot be seen.



Step 5 

Hang and enjoy.  I just used a loop of gold ribbon so I could adjust the height against the bedroom door. I wanted it to be non-seasonal, but a seasonal ribbon and a sprig or holly, evergreen or leafy branch would make this perfect for spring or winter holidays.














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