Simple Scented Apple Wreath Instructions

The smell of apples is in the air! One of our favorite things about this time of year is fresh, crisp, delicious apples. They're perfect for baking, snacking, and even decorating.

Decorate your kitchen with this easy apple wreath and enjoy the delicious scents of apples and cinnamon in your kitchen. It's the perfect size to hang over the kitchen door or even from the knob of a cabinet. This is so easy and smells so good that it's great to make on the day of a party. Your kitchen will smell delicious.

• Craft wire
• 5-6 apples
• A sharp kitchen knife (or mandoline)
• A wide knitting needle or long nail
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Raffia or ribbons

• Food dryer
• Acrylic craft spray

1. Before slicing each apple, you may wish to push a knitting needle or nail down the length of it along the core to make it easier to wire the wreath later.
2. Slice the apples thinly across the core. The average thickness should be about 1/8 inch.
3. Arrange the apples on a drying tray, or on cookie sheets. Sprinkle gently with the ground spices, and place in food dryer or in the oven on low heat for several hours, until dry.
4. When the apples are dry, simply string them like beads onto the wire, form into a circlet, and wind the wire at the connection to make a hook.
5. You can hide the hook and decorate the wreath by attaching a bow of raffia or ribbon to the top, where the connection is made.

6. Preserve your wreath for the future by spraying generously with a matte acrylic craft spray.
7. Use fine copper wire or ribbons to attach cinnamon sticks and dried herbs to the wreath.

1. Slice the apple across the core in thick slices (about 1/2 inch each). A good size apple will yield 2-3 usable slices. Discard or snack on top and bottom pieces.
2. Use the nail to make a hole across the length of each slice.
3. Arrange the apples on a drying tray or on cookie sheets. Sprinkle gently with the ground spices, and place in food dryer or in the oven on low heat for several hours, until dry.
4. When the apples are dry, simply string them like beads onto the wire, form into a circlet, and wind the wire at the connection to make a hook. In this variation, the "star" in the middle of the slices will be visible.
5. You can hide the hook and decorate the wreath by attaching a bow of raffia or ribbon to the top, where the connection is made.

Tip: You can also use dried fruits from the potpourri section of the craft store. Just wire them together. No baking required!

Idea: If you or someone you know has put their house up for sale, try making an apple wreath before the house is shown. The homey smell will invite people in.