My Almost Free Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket - Tutorial - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This fall I gathered a plethora of acorns on my walks at the local park.  I’ve never seen such a variety of sizes and styles and browns in acorns.  Of course, I probably never took the time to look before.  This year in my quest to decorate on less than a dime, I turned to Mother Nature.  And oh my… did she provide an abundance.

I wanted to create a centerpiece for my Thanksgiving table setting.  I had already made lovely oak leaf chargers, so I did what we all do when we want inspiration, I popped over to Pinterest.  While I was looking at pretty tablescapes, I saw an acorn basket and that sparked my creativity.

 

Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket for Fall Home Decor - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

At first, I went looking for a bowl.  I had in mind to fill my acorn bowl with apples and pears and a few leaves to go with my new dinnerware.  But, my local Goodwill store doesn’t have much to offer.  And usually, they price things two or three times what you’d pay at the dollar store for the same item.  But, I was determined to find something.  The store often puts displays of household items over the clothing racks, almost above my head.  Another circle around and I found a basket.  I think it’s designed for serving dinner rolls. It was the perfect size for my project and the color was just right too.  Score!  $2.99 plus tax and I was on my way to a pretty centerpiece.

This acorn basket takes a few acorns, to say the least.  Be sure to collect lots of acorns and prepare your acorns for crafting and decorating as I explained here.

 

You'll want to grace your fall or Thanksgiving table or buffet with this beautiful handcrafted acorn and oak leaf basket.  Click on through for this easy do-able tutorial from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 

How to Make an Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket

 

Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket Tutorial and Supplies Needed - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

 Supplies: Contains affiliate links

 

Steps:

In showing you how to make an acorn and oak leaf basket, I want you to know there is no “right” way to decorate your basket.  When I began covering my basket with acorns I didn’t have a plan.  Feel free to be creative and see what happens.

Otherwise…here is my method:

  • Sort acorns and caps according to size.  This will make the process a little easier.
  • Begin with the bottom row.  I used my largest acorns here. (You can see here where I started and ended.  I didn’t pre-sort my acorns.  I kept looking for the largest ones as I went.  You can see the spot where I ended, the acorns were quite a bit smaller than when I started.)
  • Be careful to glue acorns onto the basket so that they are not touching the table.  This will help so that there isn’t any pressure on the acorns when you have the basket filled.

 

 

A row of acorns followed by a row of cap for this Acorn Oak Leaf Basket - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  • Here, the second row is made up of acorn caps.
  • Using acorn caps will lighten the weight of the basket over all.  It will also create a change in texture.
  • Try to keep the top of your row level, as much as possible.    Some areas use larger or smaller caps to help keep the row fairly level.

 

Three rows completed for this acorn and oak leaf basket at AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  • Next I added caps to the rim of the basket, covering the outer edge, to give it a nice finished touch.

 

Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket with two rows, top and bottom, completed by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  •  This time instead of lining the acorns up like little soldiers, I used smaller ones of varying sizes.  Filling in the gaps allows for a little creativity on the second row from the top.

 

Acorn portion of the acorn and oak leaf basket complete at AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  • Add one more row of caps to the top layer.. row three.  You could add another row to the bottom if you prefer.

 

Completed acorn and oak leaf basket, designed by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  • Using small oak leaves that have been prepared, glue the base of the leaf to the basket.
  • Continue adding leaves, overlapping as shown, until you have completely covered that row of your basket.
  • Your basket is complete… except for one more optional step.

 

Acorn and Oak Leaf Basket Tutorial from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

  • Spray your acorn and oak leaf basket with clear coat spray for an extra measure of preservation.  And to give it a little gloss.

That’s it!  Really it’s quite simply and only takes about an hour to apply the acorns and leaves.

 

Your basket is sure to get many compliments.  Mine has.

It will be a lovely addition to your fall or Thanksgiving table as well as in your home decor.

I’d love to hear how you’ve been decorating with nature’s elements in your home decor!

 

Here are a few more ways I’ve been having fun with Mother Nature’s bounty: 

 

Acorn Photo Frame Tutorial

DIY Acorn Photo Frame

Peacock Feathers and Pampas Grass Wreath and Mantel AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Pine Cone & Pampas Grass Wreath

Coppery Oak Leaf Thanksgiving Menu Frame - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Oak Leaf Thanksgiving Menu Frame ~ Tutorial

 

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Best wishes for An Extraordinary Day!
Diane

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Comments

  1. Lisa says

    I think that is so cute!! I have a ton of acorns and I may have to look around and see if I have a basket now. Great idea. Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving!

  2. Sarah says

    What a charming idea! Love this idea and the frame too. You’ve been busy being creative!
    Happy Holidays!

  3. Mary Anne says

    That little basket is adorable! Love the vintage feel!

  4. Beautiful! Love those gorgeous fall colors.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

  5. how fun to go on a nature walk and find the materials and then create this lovely rustic acorn and oak leaf basket! This basked would be beautiful on the Thanksgiving table or any where in the home!

  6. Mel says

    Oh what a patient soul you are. And it looks like it paid off. What a cutie….and what a keeper, though I doubt it would handle being stored away well.
    Hopefully it’s worth the effort. Funny, I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be. 🙂

    • Diane says

      Mel…I was so happy with the way it turned out. And my friends love it. So, yes…it is worth it. I think I’ll wrap it with paper tightly and cushion it in a box while crossing my fingers. 😉

  7. G’day Looks great! All blog comments appreciated and sharing is caring today!
    Cheers! Joanne @ What’s On The List #SayGdayParty pinned

  8. This is incredibly pretty!
    (pinning and sharing) 🙂

  9. Oh so nice! So much inspiration…
    Have a happy weekend!
    Warmly,
    Titti

  10. What a great idea! I have a yard full of acorns, and I have already baked off a full tray. I was looking for a way to use them, and this is perfect.

  11. Cathy says

    Diana, I LOVE this basket! So, so creative and the perfect centerpiece for a thanksgiving table!
    Hope that you great! Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
    Cathy

  12. Your basket is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, Diane! Pinning 🙂

  13. What a beautiful basket! My grounds are covered (as in you can hardly see the ground anymore) in acorns and leaves right now. What a wonderful idea to make use of them! Thanks for sharing!

  14. Kim says

    Diane, I love all your leaf and acorn projects. This basket is gorgeous! 🙂

  15. Beautiful project- isn’t it amazing what’s lying on the ground outside and what can be done with it!? So glad you linked this one up too. xo! Laura

  16. Beautiful!! Happy Thanksgiving xo

  17. Cathy says

    What a unique basket. Love it. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

  18. Cindy says

    Love this! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  19. I am blown away by the beauty of this basket. I would have never thought I could make it myself! Thank you for sharing with us at #FoodieFriDIY – wanted to pop by to do some sharing and let you know you’ll be featured this week. Thank you for linking up!

    • Debra, you just made my day!! Thank you so much!
      I have to say that this is probably my favorite fall decor project ever. And yes… you should give it a try. 🙂

      All the best for an extraordinary day!

Trackbacks

  1. […] As you may know, I had been collecting acorns.  I created a photo frame and even shared how to prepare acorns for decorating and crafting here.   Hmmm… “What could I do with all those acorns?”  One day as I was browsing through Pinterest, I got the idea that I could cover a bowl or basket with acorns.  I really wasn’t sure what I was going to do… but one acorn or cap at a time and more leaves… made an earthy fall basket that made my heart sing.  I wrote the tutorial for creating the acorn and oak leaf basket here. […]

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