Bastelesel

We enjoyed the October sunshine and made a long walk through the woods of Ratingen collecting things the first autumn winds had blown down. With these you can create the most wonderful  in- and outdoor decoration. Last winter I organized a trunk already cut in sections about 10 inches high at our local provider of timber for fireplaces. In a rather dark corner of our garden our lawn is mostly penetrated by moss. I carefully took it off, removed the remaining soil and pressed it on top of my little trunk. In the middle I shuffled a little hole for a tea light glass to find safe standing. Some cones and a rose hip found on our way are easily pushed into the moss. Around the trunk I crossed a felt ribbon (2 inches wide) which is fixed with two satin ties holding a wooden heart. Placed on a coaster made of cork the decoration is ready. If you only use it indoor you may as well put a large candle into the moss. It also looks very nice if you place the trunk on a wooden tray with further autumn accessories. When the moss has dried you simply replace it by a new charge of it from your garden.

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For this noble light you only need a simple jar (preferably cone-shaped), some nice glassine paper, colored ribbons, a tea light and maybe a pendant. The sheets usually sold in Germany have a size of 11.6×8.6inches so that I cut them in halves obtaining bars of 11,6×4.3 inches. The paper is to be placed round the glass and needs to be fixed with a small piece of two-sided adhesive tape. The first paper has a light purple art nouveau design. That’s why I chose a violet satin ribbon and laid it round the glass twice. Before closing the bow I fixed a filigree porcelain heart.

These two lights are often used for more exclusive dining tables. The paper has a textile structure and a lightly shimmering floral print. I decorated one with a fringy silver thread and the second one with a very thin silver yarn and some pearly curling ribbon. If you prefer it even more sophisticated you should take the original size of your paper.
The fancy ribbons allow you to do without any pendant. For a New Year’s diner however I once fixed some little champagne cups of silver foil.
So with simple water glasses and some ornamental paper you’ll create new and stylish lights at any time. Short days and the coming holidays give room for development.