Monday, November 26, 2012

DIY Cranberry & Bay Leaf Garland

Last week, just before Thanksgiving, while I was at BJs lamenting over the fact that they had run out of my absolute favorite fall vegetable (Brussels sprout, FYI), I decided that, since I was already there, I would pick up a huge bag of cranberries for sauce and baking and a container of bay leaves.



I decided to string these two finds together into an easy and natural garland for my holiday mantel.

 
 
 
 
I measured out my string for a rough idea of how long I wanted the garland. (I always use dental floss when I make a garland, by the way.)
 


Then, using a medium sized needle, I strung the bay leaves and cranberries, making sure I started and finished with the leaves.


 
Doesn't it look gorgeous draped underneath my mantel up against the stark white brick?



This project totally brought back memories for me of stringing cranberries and popcorn for our Christmas tree growing up. Did anyone else ever do that?















Linking to: DIY Show OffUndertheTableandDreamingMod Vintage Life My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia52 MantelsBeyond The Picket FencePhotobucket A Delightsome Life Rooted In Thymevif187Liz Marie Bloghttp://www.jenniferrizzo.com/Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special A Delightsome LifeBoogieboard Cottage”FallFridays Unfolded A Diamond in the StuffHoliday
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39 comments:

  1. Cassie BustamanteNovember 26, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    oh it is beautiful!!!! i love it!

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  2. reganNovember 26, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    This is gorgeous! I grew up in Seattle, and the only cranberries I ever knew about were pureed in a can! Since living in New England though.....we eat cranberries every day now! We love em! I may have to go get some bay leaves now!

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  3. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Love this and the tip on using dental floss it a keeper!

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  4. AnonymousNovember 26, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    O' I'm loving the way the bay leaf shows up so well with the cranberry's.Looks so pretty and I bet it smells wonderful.We never strung cranberry's but I wanting to try for sure after seeing this gorgeous,easy beauty!!

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  5. Manuela@A Cultivated NestNovember 26, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    Very pretty! I have strung popcorn but not cranberries.

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  6. Heather@http://southernabbey.comNovember 26, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    I have never strung food for a tree before...how long will it last? It looks beautiful and fresh!

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  7. GinaNovember 26, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    That really looks so pretty! What a great idea!

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  8. TinaANovember 27, 2012 at 3:47 AM

    It's so pretty! I recently made a garland with peppers, if you want to take a look http://afewprettythings.blogspot.gr/2012/11/red-pepper-garland-for-kitchen.html

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  9. CynthiaNovember 27, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    I love this garland, the bayleaf looks so fabulous. Great job.

    Cynthia

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  10. Anne BoykinNovember 27, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Hi Angela, Your garland is beautiful. I like your idea of using dental floss. I didn't string popcorn for my tree until I was in my twenties but always enjoyed it. Maybe it's time to string some again. Thanks for your lovely blog.

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  11. LauraNovember 27, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    I love your garland. We used to string cranberries and popcorn every year as a kid. We also used to make construction paper chains for our trees. Ahhhh, the memories!!

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  12. Our Neck of the WoodsNovember 27, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    This is so cute! I never would have thought to use cranberries, but I love it! Last year I did string some popcorn for our tree. It was the first year I'd ever tried it and I really like how it turned out.

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  13. Keeping It CozyNovember 27, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    It looks gorgeous! I think you've inspired me to make a cranberry garland. :-)

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  14. Courtenay@Creek Line HouseNovember 27, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    It's beautiful! I've never done the cranberry thing, although we just did some popcorn for the first time this year. How long do the cranberries last?

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  15. Moni - Zuhaus at HomeNovember 27, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Beautiful....I'd like to try that sometime!

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  16. AngieOuellette-TowerNovember 28, 2012 at 7:52 PM

    This is so beautiful!! I'm your newest follower from "52 Mantels" blog hop - this is my blog if you wanted to follow back: godsgrowinggarden.com
    Thanks
    Angie

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  17. Dixie n DottieNovember 28, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Looks great! Very creative! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Christmas link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_11_27_archive.html

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  18. Diane | An Extraordinary DayNovember 28, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    I love this!! Actually my husband strings cranberries or cranberries and popcorn almost every year. Good man he is. It's actually on his to-do list for tomorrow...his day off! I just might need to add some bay leaves...this would be perfect as a garland over the kitchen window.
    Thanks for sharing!!!

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  19. SandyNovember 29, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    The popcorn yes, but not the cranberries. Tell me
    will the cranberries dry and look just as nice. I'd
    have to save them.. in fact I'm going out to get some
    and make garland..
    So pretty.
    Sandy

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  20. Amber's Snippets of DesignNovember 29, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Love it! So Simple and so pretty...Not to mention, cranberries are one of my very most favorite Christmas decorating props! Thank you for sharing!
    xo,
    amber
    snippets{of}design.com

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  21. Amy KinserNovember 29, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Your garland is just beautiful. I love the red against the white!

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  22. Sandi~A Cottage MuseNovember 29, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Sure do remember!!
    Using cranberries in my decor for my holiday party this weekend!

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  23. At The Picket FenceNovember 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM

    That is so sweet! The combination of the cranberries and bay leaves is perfect and it looks lovely. Thank you so much for linking it up to Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

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  24. UnknownDecember 2, 2012 at 2:00 PM

    How timely! I was just wondering how to make a cranberry garland to add to my kitchen tree. Thanks for the info! Yours is LOVELY!

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  25. Debra@CommonGroundDecember 2, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    "Simply" beautiful. love the green and dark red on the white fireplace brick!!

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  26. Danni@SiloHillFarmDecember 2, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    Angela that is so beautiful! Simple and natural...can't beat that!

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  27. Our Pinteresting FamilyDecember 2, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    so beautiful and simple. I love it.

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  28. Stan and Jody GabaraDecember 4, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    Angela, Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful garland on Simple & Sweet Fridays. Love the combination of bay leaves and cranberries!

    Jody

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  29. keri @ shaken togetherDecember 4, 2012 at 6:30 AM

    This garland is so simple but the perfect festive holiday colors! Stopped by from the Winthrop Chronicles and I'm a new follower :) Happy Tuesday!

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  30. Elise EnghDecember 4, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    That is gorgeous! I have a bag of cranberries in my fridge right now. I may have to copy you :)

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  31. Dixie n DottieDecember 5, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    So creative! Looks great! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Christmas link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_12_04_archive.html

    ReplyDelete
  32. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art BoutiqueDecember 6, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Simply perfect Angela... I'll be featuring this at tomorrow's Shabbilicious Friday party.

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  33. AnonymousDecember 10, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    Love this! Simple and elegant!

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  34. AnonymousDecember 10, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    This is too cute! Bay leaves remind me so much of my grandmother. Thanks for bringing back holiday memories and for linking up at A Crafty Christmas!

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  35. Dana @ Cooking At Cafe DDecember 11, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    Oh, I love the idea of using dental floss as string.
    Pinned you...
    And, gave you a little bump on our FB page :)
    ~ Dana

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-at-Caf%C3%A9-D/313769131121

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  36. Karah @ thespacebetweenblogDecember 11, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    This is so simple and sweet. Absolutely adorable! Thank you so much for linking up to our party!!

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  37. AnonymousDecember 11, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    It looks great! I don't know if I'd have the patience for it, but it's worth it!

    Karen

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  38. SuzyDecember 12, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    I have vivid memories of my mother making popcorn especially for stringing. Then I have nightmares about having to put the strands of tinsel on the tree one.strand.at.a.time. Remember that? Anyway, I love the cranberries combined with bay leaves. So Christmasy and I bet it smells wonderful too! Thank you so much for linking up to the Better Late Than Never Christmas Inspirations bloghop.

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  39. UnknownNovember 10, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    This is so interesting blog. I am appreciating your effort. An excellent read. I will certainly be back. Herbs De Provence

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Thank you so much for stopping by Number Fifty-Three! I look forward to your comments.