Fall is a glorious time, with the changing leaves and cooler temperatures. It’s also a great time to be creative with some of autumn’s wonderful bounty: apples and oranges. Here, Brenda Hyde tells you how.
Dried apples and oranges are easy, crafty country accents that you can add to wreaths, swags, baskets, or any craft using dried natural items. On their own, you can use them to make ornaments, garlands and much more. Be sure to dry several different sizes of apples and oranges so you have a lot of fruit with which to create!
You will need:
- Apples – green or red
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Knife
- Wire racks
- Matte clear acrylic spray
- Paper towels
Slice apples 1/4 inch thick, leaving in the core. Soak the slices for 20 minutes in a mixture of 2 cups lemon juice and 3 tablespoons salt. Be sure to cover all of the slices completely.
Remove slices and pat dry with paper towels. Place on wire rack placed on cookie sheets (for easy removal) and dehydrate in a 150 oven for approximately 6 hours until dry. If they start to curl, turn them over.
When done, the slices should have a leathery feel. Spray each slice with 2 coats of acrylic spray, drying between coats.
How to make dried oranges
You will need:
- Oranges
- Knife
- Wire racks
- Matte clear acrylic spray
- Paper towels
Cut each orange crosswise into 1/4 inch slices. Discard end pieces. Place each slice on wire racks, then place the wire racks on cookie sheets in a 150 degree oven. Dry for about 6 hours, turning over if edges start to curl. When dried, they should be pliable.
You can use the slices whole or cut in half, depending on what you use them for. Spray either with two coats of spray, allowing to dry between coats.
Let your imagination run wild
Simple ornaments can be made of either dried fruit by threading clear fishing line through the top of the ornament for hanging. You can accent the ornament with twine or raffia bows.
A grouping of apples and/or oranges with a raffia bow make wonderful package accents for gifts. Create your own gift tags and use stamped brown craft paper for wrapping paper. Add small orange or apple slices to a wooden ring for a unique napkin ring.
Once you see all of your festive dried fruit. you will think of more and more uses as your imagination runs wild. They are a wonderful natural accent!