This plant which I think is millet grows in the ditches around my yard. Every July I pick a bundle, dry it, and fashion it into a sort of topiary-style arrangement. I’ve made dozens of these and given a few to my daughters. I’m always delighted to see that they are displaying them and that they look quite nice, perched either on their mantles or tables or end tables. They are so easy to make but bring an element of simple country elegance to your house.
Here’s a quick and easy tutorial:
Pick the millet, tie it into bunches and hang from a hanger until dry (1 month or so).
Strip off leaves and arrange in an even bunch secure with elastic bands and cut stems at bottom.
Insert into rustic container and pack tightly with newspaper add some sphagnum moss voila!
Total cost, since I had all the material on hand from other projects over the years: $0.00! How much more frugal can you get?
This is great. I love how they look. I’ll have to figure out if they grow around me. Thanks for including the tutorial. I’m so not crafty, but I could do this!
Wow, what a wonderful decoration. Thank you for sharing this !
How beautiful! The only millet I know is the purple/chocolate kind that my sister grows in her greenhouse to put into beautiful pots on her patio. Deer don’t like millet!
Love this topiary, it says FALL and I bet it looks great on your mantle. Thanks for including the “how to”. I don’t remember seeing millet around here but we have a ton of cat-tails across the street. Might just try it with those.
Just beautiful, Barb. I love the fact you used something from outdoors and didn’t have to buy anything expensive.
We don’t have millet here like that — unless the birds drop it from the bird feeder and it grows, which happens sometimes. :)
Oh, love this! It’s rustic and refined all rolled into one. I don’t know if millet grows around here…all I ever see is weeds :)
They look fantastic. The tutorial and photos are wonderful.
They look wonderful and I love the way they age.
Very pretty, our pastures used to have this grass when I was growing up. It always reminded me of mini-cattails!
you are so talented and creative. and you make everything look so easy peasy. love the fall look here. the first photo is fantastic! love it. happy day to you Barb.
I just love this idea! I can also see that I’m going to love your Autumn mantel too!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
This is so beautiful! I love the natural look, really beautiful!
Love this!
this can be used from cozy cottage to formal elegance!! Love it.
This is wonderful, and thank you so much for sharing the “how-to” here!
That is very striking! Love it. Thank You for linking this with Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Sooooo beautiful! I am officially your newest FAN! This topiary is so lovely…can’t wait to make one. Thank you for sharing. Seriously…Thank you!
Well, you are so talented and creative. and you make everything look so easy. The first photo is fantastic and really interesting way of ordering.
high visibility vests