Easy Dried Apple Crafts

By Brandie Valenzuela

Do you remember the last time you were in someone's home that had an apple pie baking in the oven? Ahhh, the aromas of a fresh baked pie --it is simply irresistible! Well, now you can recreate this delicious scent in your own home, or in the homes of your loved ones, by making dried cinnamon scented apple crafts. None of them are hard to make and results are wonderful! Hang one of these on your wall and you will surely impress all of your guests.

For each apple craft, you will need:

• Juice of approximately 8-10 lemons
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 8 - 10 large firm apples
• 8 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• 1 teaspoon cloves
• 8" - 10" sturdy, heavy gauge wire (for a wreath)
• Jute (for garland or apple stacker)
• 1 - 1 1/2 yards of ribbon or fabric scraps

To prepare and dry your apples:

1) Place lemon juice in a large bowl, and stir in salt.

2) Peel, core, and slice apples horizontally into 1/4" thick circles. Soak slices in lemon juice bowl for approximately 6-10 minutes, making sure each side of the slices has a chance to absorb some of the lemon juice.

3) Meanwhile, mix spices in a bowl and blend well.

4) Remove the slices from the bowl and place them on paper towels. Pat tops of apple slices with paper towels.

5) Dust apples slices with spice mixture. Turn slices over

and repeat on opposite side.

6) Place apples slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 150-200 degrees F for 6 hours or until completely dried. Apple slices should be slightly pliable.

To Create An Apple Wreath:

1) Fold each apple slice in half, and then into quarters and thread the apples slices onto the wire. Continue to pack on the folded apples until the wire is completely filled.

2) When the wire is completely covered, use pliers to bend ends into hooks so that they can connect and close. Carefully shape wire into desired shape. I recommend either a circle or heart shape.

3) Using your ribbon or fabric scraps, create a hanger for your wreath.

4) Hang on your wall, or package as a gift for someone special.

To Create An Apple Garland:

1) Cut of enough jute for your desired length of garland - remember, your apple garland shouldn't be too long, but approximately 2-4 works well. Also, it is always better to have too much, than not enough.

2) Start stringing on apple slices. Push one end of jute through the middle of each apple slice.

3) Consider alternating several apple slices and then a piece of tied on fabric strip.

4) Hang on your wall!

To Create An Apple Stacker:

1) Using an approximate 12" piece of jute, tie one end to about three cinnamon sticks that are laid in a a bundle.

2) Being to string on apple slices by pushing jute through the center of each slice. Consider alternating several slices with a piece of fabric tied on.

3) When apple stacker is the desired length, end with three more cinnamon sticks in a bundle and tie a loop so that you can hang your apple stacker proudly!

©2001 Brandie Valenzuela

About The Author:

Brandie is a freelance writing mother of three children. She is also the editor of the Family First Newsletter at:

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