how to make a beautiful pumpkin centerpiece

My Pumpkin Centerpiece

It’s been a bit hectic around here. Tomorrow we head for Newport Beach to watch Michael’s team row in the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival. And we’re meeting up with Patrick, so the whole family will be together again. Sigh, it doesn’t get much better than that.

But before I go, I did want to share some photos of a pumpkin centerpiece I did for last night’s birthday celebration for Mary. I’ve been dying to make an arrangement using hanging amaranthus and I’m loving how it turned out. Amaranthus is the soft green foliage dangling down this pumpkin.

Do you like it?

This fall centerpiece is actually pretty simple to make and with Thanksgiving around the corner I thought you’d like to see how I did it.

This is vase I picked up from Joann’s Crafts Store. I found a pumpkin that was a perfect height for it.

In this photo I’m holding the vase upside down over the hole just to show you the fit. I had already measured and cut the hole. (Actually my Dad did it while I sipped on red wine and talked to him. He’s another blessing in my life).

You can continue to carve the sides until the vase fits snugly. In fact, a tight fit will prevent air from getting into the pumpkin, which should help it last longer. I chose to skip using any floral foam because the stems of the amaranthus are so delicate. So everything went into a vase filled with water.

Look how pretty. I had brought two bunches of this amaranthus but I learned another lesson about putting flowers into the refrigerator overnight.

This is what happens if the water gets too cold. My other bunch of amaranthus froze. But luckily I had enough.

I used the following items for my arrangement

• amaranthus, hanging
• peach colored roses
• a scarlet red Mum with yellow accents, a cremon, I think
• small red apples, real
• leaves and berries
• cattails

A spiky flower next to the smooth petals of a rose adds interest.

These petite apples were small enough to fit on to a simple wooden skewer. It’s all that I had and it worked, although I did have to tape two skewers together to give one of my apples extra height.

I went around the neighborhood in search of the perfect rose-tinged leaves and berries. I wanted deep purple berries but nature wouldn’t cooperate so I used the apple green ones I found. I already had the deep brown, fuzzy cattails leftover from a grocery store bouquet so I plopped them into the center for added drama. You can see all the textures and colors here.

It’s actually a tall pumpkin. I forgot to take the measurements but it looked rather grand on Tracey’s kitchen island.

I did manage to get some shots for you before I dropped it off.

I think my favorite thing about this arrangement might be the apples. What do you like?

Well, can you imagine this centerpiece on your own Thanksgiving table?

Drop me a line and let me know if you liked this post. And I’d love to hear if you decide to make a pumpkin centerpiece yourself. I’m certainly no expert on flowers or arrangements, so if I can do it, you can too!

And if you’re interested, you can see more of my Fall floral ideas HERE and HERE.

Before I wish you a happy weekend, I can’t forget to acknowledge the people who are still suffering the effects of the recent storm. I feel so sad and continue to pray for those who are in so much need. And I’m very aware of how lucky I am to be able to sit in my warm room and write this post.

Let’s all count our blessings today.

xoxo,

Leslie

I’m linking up here:

• http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/10/open-house-party_31.html?
• http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2012/11/feathered-nest-friday.html?
• http://www.impartinggrace.com/2012/11/grace-at-home-no-33-welcome.html
• http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2012/10/treasure-hunt-thursday-80-highlights.html
• http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/11/its-inspiration-friday-no-88-welcome.html
• http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/11/sns-160-your-favourite-fall-project-and.html
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