Inexpensive Fall Centerpiece

I love having centerpieces on my table. You can do it very inexpensively instead of paying outrageous prices but still go for the same look. Go to your yard, park, or along the side of the road, which is where I start. Look for pine cones. I love them and they are free.

If you get them early, they still may be "wet" and you'll need to dry them out. I put mine in a bag. Put in dry place, anywhere where they don't absorb outside moisture. Also, I can examine them for bugs and things that aren't easily seen by your eye. I leave the cones in the bag until they feel dry, just to be really sure nothing has laid eggs or they have bugs (This has only happened one time in my life). You can put them in a sealed baggie if you want to be sure.

Next, I go to the fabric store. I usually go to the aisle where they display the bolts only having a few yards left. You don't have to do this, but the prices are great. I have noticed that the people who sew start a season ahead, just like in magazines.

When buying remnants, you can get enough for a table runner, place mats, or a piece to just fit in the center of table. They always have the latest colors and designs for the season; plaids, different colors, and burlap. it's all there. Fall with its bright oranges and reds. This year, a bright golden yellow was my choice.

Select candles to pick up on one of the colors. You can use all the same color if you like. I'm not a matchy type person, so I like different sizes in the heights. Sometimes I use the round ones. They can be burned later after you disassemble the centerpiece; I use them for looks.

I have picked up a ceramic bowl, where you can put pumpkins at Halloween time (aren't out yet) along with my pine cones. I have it in the center of my table.

I used place mats this year but love changing it up, to brighten it up. It's beautiful with the place mat and a big bowl filled with pine cones and pumpkins. The candles frame it and everyone complements me on how wonderful it looks. You can omit the pine cones and use apples or fruit of several colors matching your table runner, place mat, or center piece of material.

If you do not sew, don't worry. You can purchase the tape that you just iron along the edge. Also I did see some fabric glue you could use, depending on what fabric weight you picked. The burlap is so neat because it comes in so many fall colors now. You can just take out the last few threads on the ends, leaving you with frayed edges.

Note: In my kitchen, a couple new hand towels hanging on the oven door, new oven mitts, and $3.00 rugs gave my kitchen a wonderful fall look.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA