Sweet Potato Garland
Sweet potato garland is a wonderful accent to primitive or country decor. Stringed sweet potato garland is perfect for hanging on a primitive tree or as garland on a fire place or doorway. I don’t suggest putting it outside unless you don’t mind the varmit and birds eating it.
Supplies: Sweet potatoes ( you can use regular potatoes) Instant coffee Spices- nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon Cotton string Needle
First make your coffee staining mixture 3 heaping tablespoons of instant coffee (I have found that the more expensive coffee gives a deeper stain) 1 cup of boiling water Mix the two and let steep for a few minutes
Stain your piece of cotton string with this mixture by dipping it in and letting it dry ( I would not do a garland more than 6 feet long) dry this completely.
Do not peel the potatoes but just cut into 1 inch cubes
Mix equal amounts of your spices together in a pie pan
Soak the cubes of potatoes in the coffee mixture then roll them in the spices covering thoroughly ( I like to roll them all once and then roll again)
Tightly string the cubes together because they will shrink while drying
You can let these air dry or place in a 150 degree on a cookie sheet. Be sure to keep checking and scrunching them together as they dry to prevent gaps. ( Have found they are impossible to move on the string after drying)
These are a wonderful addition for fall decorating
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