Sweet potato garland is a wonderful accent to primitive or country decor. Stringed sweet potato garland is perfect for hanging on a primitive tree or as garland on a fire place or doorway. I don't suggest putting it outside unless you don't mind the varmints and birds eating it.

Supplies:
Sweet potatoes ( you can use regular potatoes)
Instant coffee
Spices- nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon
Cotton string
Needle

First make your coffee staining mixture
3 heaping tablespoons of instant coffee (I have found that the more expensive coffee gives a deeper stain)
1 cup of boiling water
Mix the two and let steep for a few minutes

Stain your piece of cotton string with this mixture by dipping it in and letting it dry ( I would not do a garland more than 6 feet long) dry this completely.

Do not peel the potatoes but just cut into 1 inch cubes

Mix equal amounts of your spices together in a pie pan

Soak the cubes of potatoes in the coffee mixture then roll them in the spices covering thoroughly ( I like to roll them all once and then roll again)

Tightly string the cubes together because they will shrink while drying

You can let these air dry or place in a 150 degree on a cookie sheet. Be sure to keep checking and scrunching them together as they dry to prevent gaps. ( Have found they are impossible to move on the string after drying)

These are a wonderful addition for fall decorating

Debbie Hainline -Two Old Crows (www.2oldcrows.com) Debbie owns Two Old Crows website where she sells her handpainted American folk and antiques, primitives and vintage collectibles she finds at flea markets, auctions and estate sales.

How to make a primitive twig tree for miniature ornaments.
by Mara Henry

These little trees are so simple and inexpensive to make! They can be rustic and country or so festive for the season, depending how you make it and decorate it. They are made from a tree limb that you get right in your yard and you will also need a few supplies. Once finished this tree is used to hang small ornaments. It can be used for your everyday décor or seasonally, it’s up to you and we will give you some suggestions.

Supplies you will need:

* A small container such as: a terra cotta pot, a rusty bucket or planter , a seasonal container, something lying around the house, or anything you prefer.

* A limb from a tree. You want to choose a limb that is sturdy and has a lot of twigs coming from the limb, so that you have numerous places to hang your ornies. The length of the limb will depend on the size container you are using. For example, a small 4” - 5” pot or bucket would require approximately a foot long branch.

* Plaster of Paris to hold your branch in the pot. This is a better choice for a sturdier hold. However, if you do not have access to it you can also use floral foam.

* Spray Paint. This is only needed if you want to paint your branches, but is not necessary because you can leave them plain for a more natural, rustic look.
Some paint suggestions: Fall/Halloween - Orange or Black, Christmas/Winter - White

* One of the following for a filler: peat moss, potpourri, prim fixins’ (which are just general scented rosehips), for Fall putka pods (look like mini pumpkins), for Christmas mini pine cones. These are just suggestions, you can use anything you want, use your imagination.

*Hot Glue Gun

Step by Step Instructions on how to put it all together:

1. If you are painting your branch you will want to do this first and allow it to dry. You can also paint your pot and allow it to dry. If you are using a terra cotta pot and want to paint it, you will have to used a primer on it first and then paint it any color you want. Also if you are using a pot that has a hole in the bottom and you chose to use plaster of paris, you will want to fill the hole with something. Best suggestions is to get something flat and round, such as a coin and glue it to the bottom (hot glue will work best).

2. Once everything is dry, pour the plaster of paris into the container. You only need to fill it about 2 - 3” high, just enough to hold the branch. If you are using floral foam, you will want to cut a square that will fit inside the container and only about half the height (leave enough room in the container for your filler, to hide the foam). Use hot glue to adhere the foam to the bottom.

3. Place your branch in the center of the plaster of paris or the foam. You will want to allow the plaster of paris to dry & harden before going further so that the branch stays in the center. If you find that the branch will not stand straight you may have to wait until it hardens a little before adding it or use something to prop the branch up in the center.

4. You can now add your filler to hide the plaster of paris or the foam. Use one of our suggestions or anything you want.

You now have a potted tree that you can decorate however you want!
You can add lights and any small ornaments that you prefer. Here are some suggestions on some that you can make:

Make it into a Memory Tree:
Picture Ornaments - cut out pictures, glue them to cardstock or a decorative piece of scrapbook paper, poke a hole in the paper and use string or homespun to hang . Some picture ideas to remember the memories year after year and you can change your Memory tree seasonally:
For Halloween/Fall go through last years pictures and choose the ones of the kids in their costumes or carving their pumpkins.
For Christmas/Winter choose any of your holiday pictures, kids playing in the snow, building a snowman.
For Summer - kids swimming, picnics, vacations.
For Spring - kids planting flowers, Easter, etc…

Make it into a Seasonal Tree with salt dough ornaments. This is a simple, inexpensive way to make ornaments for each season. You use any tiny cookie cutter to cut out your shapes, after they are baked and completely dry you can paint them with regular arcrylic paints. Use any sting to hang them.

Cinnamon Salt Dough Recipe:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1/2 Cup Cinnamon
1 TBS Corn Starch
3/4 to 1 Cup Warm Water
Fragrance Oil (Optional) use if you want your ornaments to smell great!

I sift all of the dry ingredients together and then add the warm water a little at a time until you get the right consistency. If it's too sticky - add a little more flour. If it's crumbly - add a little more water.
Knead for about 5-10 minutes until dough is smooth. Then let is sit for about 30 minutes.....either in a zip loc bag or plastic container with a lid. You can let it sit on the counter top or the fridge. Then roll out to desired thickness 1/4 to 3/4 and start cookie cutting away or use a sharp knife and do them freehand ( you may have to do this to make something like the candy corn). Let them dry on a cookie sheet and flip them about twice a day. Now you can dry them in the oven at a low temp 150 degrees or air dry them.
It usually take about 3-4 days to air dry, but can take longer depending on the thickness of the ornie.
You can wax dip them or use Modge Podge Glossy and Brush that all over them to give them a glossy waxy look or you can paint them.

There are lots of great recipes out there, so have fun and experiment!

PS: If your going to use them for hanging then make sure to use a straw to poke your hole thru while they are still doughy.

Halloween/Fall cut out candy corn, mini pumpkins, leaves, etc…. and you can paint them accordingly.
Christmas cut out gingerbread men, candy canes, etc…
Everyday cut out hearts and stars.
The ideas are endless when making your own!

Make it into a family tree!
Use ornaments with names of everyone in your family! You can cut out little squares from the dough to look like little tags and once dry you can paint or write the names on. You can find little customized stitchery pillows at the link listed below.

Be creative and use your imagination! Have fun with this craft and get your kids to help or let them make their own!

You can find the finished tree at http://www.especiallyforyouhomedecor.com. You can see what it looks like or maybe you love the idea and want one but just don’t have the time to make it.

You can also find some of your supplies here too. Like the rusty bucket, prim fixins’ and scented putka pods, cookie cutters, fragrance oil, homespun, and if you don’t want to make your ornaments you can find some at our store. If you want a family tree and would like the mini pillow ornaments just visit us and ask to have customized name pillows stitched!

Mara Henry owner of Especially For You Home Décor

Contact: marahenry@raystownwireless.com
Website: http://www.especiallyforyouhomedecor.com

I am a work at home mom with two little girls. If it weren't for my precious little angels, I never would have realized my passion was crafting and making home decor items & gifts. I realized this when I decided to be at home and raise my babies and it started out as a hobby. It has now grown into an online store. I am the owner of www.especiallyforyouhomedecor.com which has been open for 1 1/2 yrs.

My mother-n-law and I work together to create and come up with new designs and to make the handmade items you'll find at our store.
I now try to follow my dreams of having a successful business and helping others to decorate their homes! I am also trying to help others find a hobby in crafting by offering some 'how to 'articles!

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