(looks good enough to eat :)
Both a decorative and functional project, with the amount of potpourri inside, it keeps smelling great for quite a very long time.
It makes a wonderful gift !
Materials:
One aluminum foil pie pan
Two squares of tan felt
1/3 yard of pale pink net or tuelle
Scissors
Glue gun
1 quart of dry potpourri, in scents such as, apple, peach, cinnamon or a combination that you like.
White glue
Cinnamon spice in shaker
Small Paint brush
Method:
Lay pie pan upside down on netting and trace a circle 1 inch outside the pie pan border, cut the netting on this line. (set aside)
Heap your favorite potpourri in the pie tin, then lay netting over it. Using your glue gun, tack netting to rim in at least 8 places. this will secure the netting to the pie tin and keeep the potpourri in place.
Cut 2 strips, each 1 inch wide from long side of felt. Then glue this strip to the rim of pie plate. (over netting)
Pinch and ruffle as you glue to resemble pie crust edge. You may use all the felt strips, depending on how much you pinch and ruffle. If this happens cut more and continue around the edge until completed.
Next, cut 3/4 inch strips from long side of felt. Begin the lattice top for pie by laying first strip across imddle of pie. Blue down both ends. Trim off any excess and save. Lay next lattice piece over top of first piece and perpendicular to first, and place off center by 1 inch. Then glue both ends down.
Lay next strip 1 inch over from first lattice strip that was placed down and weave over and under lattice already in place. Do not glue... It is easier to continue weaving and alternating lattice before tacking down the remaining strips. You may have to cut more strips.
Dip a wet paintbrush into thinned white glue and very lightly brush over lattice top and crust. while glue is wet, gently shake cinnamon over top to give the pie a 'browned' look.
Tip: Place finished pie in a glass deep dish pie plate. Keep it on your stove top, the pilot light or oven vent will spread the delicious aroma.
Tip: When not in use, keep this pie stored in a large Ziplock bag, will help preserve fragrance.
Tip: To restore lost fragrance, apply drops of potpourri oil or essential oils, inbetween lattice strips and through netting. Give a gentle shake to distribute oils.
This is how I gave it to my Mother in Law last Thanksgiving.
Into a large flat basket:
I added some colorful napkins, a jar of homemade mocha coffee & embellished with maple leaves from my grandmother's backyard !
(The leaves were georgious colors last year :)
