40 | S I M P L Y T O G E T H E R
DIY FESTIVE GARLAND A simple festive garland contrasting two beautiful natural elements - A Popcorn & Cranberry Festive Garland
Have you heard about this tradition before? It’s an American one, and I have recollections of reading about it as a child and it is something that has always stuck with me. So this year I decided to have a go at making my own. It's so simple, beautiful, I love the different textures and the natural elements. It can easily be made so that it lasts, and if packed away carefully can be used year and year again. Alternatively leave the popcorn and cranberries au naturel and they can be fed to the birds after being used as decorations!
Directions
Pick
through
the
cranberries,
discard any that are a bit mushy! Instructions What you will need: Popcorn that you have popped on the stove (not microwave!) Fresh cranberries Fishing line or Thread, and a needle If you are wanting to make a garland that lasts year after year, some clear varnish.
Next, make your popcorn. I saw a tip to do this a day or two before, to make sure it dries out a bit so isn't so brittle. Thread your needle and knot the string at one end. Measure out how long you want the garland to be and add extra if you want to hang it on something. Plan
out
your
design
before
beginning, do you want to alternate cranberry/popcorn/cranberry
or
create a more imaginative pattern? Once
you
planned
have begin
your
pattern
stringing
the
popcorn and cranberries on. I found it easiest to thread the popcorn if you pushed the needle through the chunkier middle bit, the edges of the kernel tend to crumble! Once
you
have
reached
your
desired length, secure with another knot. *If varnishing, at this point you will want to spray with the clear varnish and leave to dry* Display and enjoy!
