Colors of Fall in the Miniature

Fairy Garden

While working at my desk a few days ago, I glanced up and

there in full view of the skylight was our majestic maple tree

in all its beauty. Deep burgundy leaves were partnered with

the summertime green foliage. Seasons are beginning to

change and fall is arriving in Wisconsin. During the past few

days, I have been busy at my computer searching for fall

decorating ideas, which means I need to put on my creative

thinking cap to convert “real size” decorations into miniature

fairy garden designs.

My first thought was “What are some ideas for using the mini

putka pumpkins?” As soon as I saw an image of a fall wreath I

knew what decoration I was going to make… a wreath of

pumpkins. Start with a two-inch steel flat washer that can be

purchased at a hardware store. Considering the 1:12 scale, this size

wreath is suitable for a three-inch wide fairy door or in real size

three-feet. Adhere, using glue, fairy moss onto the washer as a

covering. Next, cut five strands of raffia into one-inch pieces, place

them in a bundle, and bind them together by tying embroidery floss

in the middle. Make approximately 5 of these raffia bundles, which

will be used as fillers in the wreath.

It is now time to adhere the putka pumpkins to the moss

covered washer. Randomly glue the pumpkins to the wreath,

stem side out, until the wreath is covered. Then glue the raffia

bundles to areas that need to be filled in. Another idea is to

insert dried mini flowers or red Dogwood stems to add a little

flair to this miniature putka pumpkin wreath. Hang the wreath

on your mini cottage door by using non-permanent adhesive

dots or suspend by a shepherd’s hook near the doorway. Let’s

decorate the fairy cottage with more pumpkins!

For a quick fall decoration, start with the fruit or vegetable

crate and turn it on its side. Lean the crate against a bale of

hay, a white picket fence, or your favorite fairy cottage. Place

some fairy moss in the bottom of the crate and begin to layer

pumpkins and other gourds inside. For the final accessory to

the crate display, place a spooky black cat or crow on top. Are

you ready for more mini ideas to display with the fall wreath

and the pumpkin filled crate?

Consider decorating the fairy’s mini ladder with a BOO banner.

Shop for a burlap textured ribbon with a width that is slightly

smaller than the rungs on your ladder. To cut the length of the

ribbon, you will need to measure the spaces between the rungs. On

a mossy twig ladder the rungs are one-inch apart and since I will be

doubling the ribbon for three, straight-edged banners, the total

amount of ribbon that will be needed is six-inches. After the three

banners are cut, two-inches in length, fold one banner in half and

using a black permanent marker write the letter "B" on the front.

Continue with the other two banners by writing an "O" on each

banner.

Time to place the banners on the ladder. Starting with the

letter B, drape the banner over a rung, so the letter is showing.

Use a mini adhesive dot to join the back and front bottom

edges of the banner. Place the banner on the second rung or

you may decide to use every other rung. Finally, secure the

last "O" banner on the ladder rung to spell the word, "BOO."

A quick and easy fall decoration has been created!

Along with the pumpkin wreath and the harvest crate, place

the Boo ladder near your miniature cottage. Watch the fairies

smile with delight when they see the fall decorations in the

miniature garden.

Miniature Gardening offers a variety of accessories, fairies,

plants, garden tools & furniture to create enchanting

miniature landscapes for containers or your yard. We carry

the largest online selection of plants for miniature and fairy

gardens and of unique handcrafted miniature hardscape paths

and patios. Visit our website: http://miniature-gardening.com