Hi!  SaraL here with another photo hybrid how-to for you!

With autumn pretty well established here, I thought I’d show you a fun, seasonal use for Heather’s DIY Printable Templates: Basket and Berries, which make sweet table favours should you be having guests come over for dinner sometime soon!  …this may even be a nice idea to bookmark for your Thanksgiving planning too!

What started out as strawberry  templates actually make sweet acorns  when decorated in the browns, oranges, golds from Heather’s fall-themed Golden Days kit – don’t you think?

…and if you turn them upside down, they can make fun mini pumpkins or physallis (aka Chinese Lanterns or Cape Gooseberries)!

Regardless of how you decide to decorate yours – berry, acorn or squash – here’s how to put them together.

Do remember, that I’ve used lots photos in the steps, so this how-to may make it look like a lengthier process than it really is – honestly!

Step1:  Open the template in your chosen format & decorate using your digi-stash.  Then print & cut out, just as per Heather’s instructions!

Step 2: Punch out the holes in your printout.  I used my lovely Big Bite tool to do this as you can see in the photo, but a sharp pencil plus a blob of blu-tac would work – but do protect your work surface and take care over the size of hole you punch!

Step 3: Score & crease/ fold the small tab of the berry box.  I used a ‘scoring board’ and bone folder (that curvy white tool in the photos), but I have very successfully used a bone folder (which is inexpensive & readily available from craft stores) plus a ruler, and I do know people who use a simple butter knife & ruler to achieve the same end! …just remember not to press too hard and to protect your work surface again if you choose to use a knife.

Step 4: Adhere/ glue the tab to the underside of the opposite side, making a cone-like shape.

Step 5: Add the treat to your berry box. Take a length of ribbon, twine etc as per Heather’s instructions.  Fold in half & tie a knot where folded in the centre.

Step 6: Thread the ribbon ends through the hole of one ‘flap’ of the berry, from the inside of the berry through to the patterned outside.

Step 7: Continue threading the ribbon through the hole of each ‘flap’, from the inside to the patterned outside. Gently pull tight.

Step 8:  Add the leaves the same way, threading the ribbon through.

Step 9: Tie the ribbon ends into a simple bow and you’re finished!

As an alternative, how about threading the looped end of the ribbon through the holes, knotting the ends on the inside.  You can then use this loop to hang the favours on twigs in a vase for a very autumnal display!

The favours could be presented individually on each guests plate, or in a simple handmade basket!

I used the accompanying basket template from Heather’s DIY Printable Templates: Basket and Berries in the photo above – and made a little place card/ tag to complement it.

I hope you have a go at making your own – and if you do, please pop a photo of them into Heather’s gallery at the Sweet Shoppe so we can admire your work too!

‘til next time

SaraL