Hello my fall loving friends! It’s Pinterest Challenge day and today we’re chatting about what we can do with cranberries. I am sharing how to make an easy yet impressive autumn garland with cranberries! Seriously, it’s so cute and perfect for fall or Christmas! Although, this post should be called what not to do when making garland. :/ It’s still easy but I should have had more forethought.
How to make an easy yet impressive autumn garland with cranberries!
If you are new here, the Pinterest Challenge is a monthly post where several of my friends take one photo or idea from Pinterest and challenge ourselves to duplicate it in our own style or come up with something in a certain theme – like cranberries!
If you are hopping over from French Ethereal, welcome! I’m super excited you’re here. You can see what everyone else made at the bottom of this post. There are 12 total cranberry ideas! Let’s go ahead and get started.
Here’s a list of supplies to make a 36″ beautiful cranberry garland. You’ll need:
Supplies: 1 cup Fresh Cranberries, 3 regular sized Oranges, 20 or so large Basil Bay Leaves, Parchment Paper, Cookie Sheet and Oven, 4 foot of thin String, Scissors, Needle to fit string.
The first step is to slice the oranges 1/4″ thick then pat dry with paper towels. You can get about 18 slices from 3 oranges which makes a 36″ garland. Place them in a single layer of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Place them on the lowest rack and bake at 240 degrees for about 3-4 hours. If your oven can go lower than that, even better! A long slow drying process is best.
If you’re like me and want to get the craft done all at one time, you’ll be less aggravated when you dry the orange slices the day before. As you dry them out, turn them every hour or so and closely watch them while they cook. My first batch burned after 2 hours and would have looked more like Halloween garland. All I needed was to string them with a few creepy baby doll heads and I’m famous. Just sayin’.
This is why you want to use Bay leaves instead. Poor little shriveled up Basil.
I also learned that using Bay leaves will work better than Basil unless you don’t care if they shrivel up. The next day, mine looked sad and old so go with Bay leaves. Actually, I plan to use Holly Bush leaves when I make this again. Enough of the sad mistakes I made. On to the good stuff!
The steps to making beautiful garland are easy peasy. Measure about 48″ of string and cut. I used Hemp because I liked the color choices better. Thread it through the needle, tie the end in a knot and start your pattern. My pattern is 3 cranberries, then a slice of dried orange then a leaf. Remember, don’t use Basil – use Bay leaves!
After you’ve used up all of the dried oranges, cranberries and leaves, your garland is ready to tie off. Simply tie a knot on the open end of the garland and voila – you’re done. Spread the sections out evenly and hang.
Isn’t that beautiful?! Now you know how to make an easy yet impressive autumn garland with cranberries! I was so proud of myself. Well, so proud of Julie (a dear friend) who stars in the photos. 😉 I used clear tacks and hung it over the kitchen window. You should have enough string on the ends to tie it around something if you prefer not to use nails or tacks. Just be prepared for the oohs and aahs! It’s seriously so pretty and vibrant!
If you’d like to see last month’s Pinterest Challenge, click here! It’s a fall porch! Next up is Christy from Our Southern Home. She has another fantastic idea using cranberries! Happy crafting and Happy Fall Friends. Send a photo when you make the garland!
So pretty and I’ll bet it smells amazing Cindy! Haha, you should have posted the Halloween version too! Great tip about the basil but where did you get the fresh Bay leaves?
Author
You are right! I should have posted the burnt oranges. Very unappetizing though. LOL! The photo has the basil shown but you can get the bay leaves online. 🙂
This is so pretty! I totally laughed at the “Halloween garland.” I would so do that. This tuned out beautifully. I need to dry some orange slices now for the holidays. I just love the look!!
Author
Thank you Christy. I love it too and will definitely make another!
Cindy
This looks so beautiful!
Author
Thanks so much. Totally worth the crafting mishaps. 😉
Beautiful!!! This looks so festive for now right on through Christmas!! The colors in this garland are just stunning and I LOVE how you used all natural materials. So good!!
Author
Thanks Rachel. You are so right. It will look great from now through Christmas. I’m loving it!
i love this! What a colorful, fresh gardland . I love cranberries and I’m so sorry we can only find the fresh ones here in our area of Virginia around Thanksgiving and Christmas. I plan to buy quite a few bags to freeze. I like to put fresh cranberries in our oatmeal when I cook it. Anyway, thanks for the garland craft – it is so pretty. I have never dried my own oranges, so looking forward to this!
Author
So glad you like it Barb and making this with those adorable grandkids will be the best of crafting days! Share a photo when you get around to it and thanks so much!
I love your garland. It’s so pretty. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Pinterest Challenge. Blessings to you.
Author
Aww, thanks Renae. It’s a great group and we’re happy to have you.
This smells wonderful, I just know and it is so pretty. What a great combination for a garland, thanks Cindy. Pinned.
Author
It does Marlene and there are so many other things you can use to make it smell even stronger. Like cinnamon sticks, apples, pears, etc. Happy Fall!
Can you believe I’ve never dried orange slices? I love this natural garland. The colors are so pretty with the light coming through. Perfect decor to kick off the holidays!
Author
As a matter of fact, NO, I can’t believe it but this was my first time too. Trial and error was my road. Then I decided to look on Pinterest. Geez, why didn’t I do that first?! Lesson learned. LOL.
It’s beautiful! And I bet it smelled amazing!!
Author
It did and I’m totally making another longer one. Woohoo! Thanks bestie!
Cindy, your cranberry-orange garland turned out really beautifully!!! A super long version of this would be so pretty draped around a Christmas tree… I like the bay leaf idea! I wonder if Winco has them in their dried goods section?? I’ll have to check that out. I left my bay tree in California… Loving all the cranberry ideas!!! <3
Happy decorating and happy fall,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Author
Thanks so much. And I thought that same thing Barbara, a tree full of these colors would be beautiful. All we’d have to do is turn on a Hallmark movie and string away! 😉
Turned out great Cindy. Pinned! Laura
Author
Thanks so much Laura.
Cindy, I love how this came out! So colorful. It must smell amazing in your kitchen. I also like the fact this garland works for the fall season and Christmas. Love Love this one photo challenge!
Author
Yes, it’s a 2 fer! LOL!
I want to make a garland with the dried oranges I have too, and can only hope that mine will look half as pretty as yours! Wowza! The color combination with the cranberries looks so festive and what a gorgeous addition to your farmhouse setting. I’m going to look for dried bay leaves in bulk to see what I can find. Thanks for the inspiration!
Author
I know yours will look better than mind. The next time I make one I’ll try Magnolia leaves or maybe Holly or Boxwood. Little pinecones would look cute too. Goodness, I can think of so many combinations. Have fun!
How cute and what a fun idea. This is something I can do with the grands and they would love it. I am sure it smells amazing too.
Author
Oh yes, I think this is a perfect activity for kiddo’s. Like stringing popcorn for Christmas tree garland. Enjoy Ms. Marty!
Cindy, I’ve always wanted to make a garland like this. It’s so beautiful and your post is the inspiration I need! Love it! And thanks for hosting another month of an amazing hop!
Author
My pleasure Kristin. I am seriously enjoying it. Have fun!
Great tips, Cindy, both for what to do and what NOT to do! 🙂 Nonetheless, I’m sure it smelled wonderful. I’ve been wanting to try something like this.
Author
Well wait no longer Niky! You’ll love it when you’re done. Happy Fall!
Such a beautiful natural garland, Cindy! I love the color combinations and I bet is smells amazing! I would love to make one. Thank you so much for the inspiration and for hosting such a fun hop!
Author
My pleasure Lynne. Hope you sit down and make one soon. You will enjoy it tremendously! 🙂
Wow Cindy this is just gorgeous!! Pinning it so I can remember to make one for myself.
Author
Thank you AnnMarie! I plan to make another myself. Happy Fall
I love your cranberry and orange garland! It’s perfect for Fall and even on into the Christmas holiday season! I bet it smells heavenly in your home!
Author
Thank you Kristy. As the days go on, the darker the oranges get and they are so pretty! Have a great weekend and thanks for the visit!
Cindy, that turned out so pretty and I love the shriveled basil leaves! 🙂
Author
Stacey! How are you?! I hope all is well with you. Thank you for the visit. And I think you should make one. It would look amazing hanging off of the shelves in your dining room. 😉
I love cranberries and dried oranges Cindy and even more when they’re strong together! This is such a great idea. Can’t wait to try it.
Author
You’ll love it Kim! Make great gifts too!
I love your garland!! I have always wanted to try this, thank you for the directions 🙂 Hugs, Tanya
Author
My pleasure Tanya. Enjoy!
Cindy, I’m glad that you linked up at Share Your Style as I’m happy to feature your post at SYS #366 for you! I love your orange and cranberry garland and I can imagine that the scent wafting around your home is wonderful… Thanks again for hosting our Pinterest Challenge each month. I appreciate it and it’s fun to return the favor. <3
Happy fall hugs to you,
Barb 🙂
Author
You are so sweet Barbara, thank you! I’m excited to be featured on Share Your Style! That was a fun and very easy project. Happy November!
I’m so glad you shared this fragrant fall garland at Tuesday Turn About, Cindy! I’m delighted to be featuring your post at this week’s party! Pinned!
Author
Aww, thanks so much Julie! I’m always so surprised and excited to see that I won! 😉
I love this! How long do the cranberries last? As they dry can you still use them or will they rot? I’ve heard you can stored the dried orange garland in an air tight container and continue to use for a few years (of course it will darken but it’s just a new type of beautiful)! I wonder if the same goes for the cranberry? Excited to try this 🙂
Author
I am not sure how long the cranberries will last. Mine started to shrivel after about a week. But I bet if you sprayed them with a clear shellac primer, they’d last forever. Just a guess. I threw mine out when the season was over. I saved the oranges though. I put mine in what I thought was an air tight container. When I happened to see them one day they looked disgusting. The ones left in a simple brown paper bag (in our pantry) looked perfect! Could be a fluke. Anyway, I’m so glad you are excited to try it. I love love love the look. Best wishes Sophie!