As the sweet corn season ends, stalks are left standing in the garden. What to do with the leftover ears? Here are some ideas for corn cob craft projects.
Cornhusk Dolls from The Old Farmers Almanac (almanac. com):
• Harvest corn ears. Select some fine-grained inner cornhusks.
• Store husks in a dry place until ready for use.
• Soak dried husks in warm water, which makes them easier to handle.
• Husks can be dyed before fashioning into a doll using dyes purchased at a hobby store (Rit is a commercial dye product). This may take some time.
• For the head, make a ball out of a cornhusk, fold two husks over the ball, and tie off for the neck with cotton string or heavy thread.
• Make arms by rolling husks into a tight tube or braiding three husks together, then put the piece through the middle of the doll.
• The dress is made by folding husks over each shoulder and crossing them at waist level.
• Tie the waist with string and cover with a narrow cornhusk.
• Trim the skirt so she can stand up.
• The silks can be glued on for hair.
Corn Container Garden from Midwest Living (midwestliving. com):
• Select terra-cotta pot. The size of the pot depends on the number of ears assembled in the next step.
• Select enough dried ornamental corn cobs to surround the pot.
• Hot-glue the ears, with husks, to the pot.
• Arrange fall flowers, seed heads, berries, or fruit to fill the pot.
Corn and Leaf Wreath
• Make a twig wreath from branches or grape vines or purchase a premade wreath. Form into the desired size.
• Select real foliage or silk leaves.
• Select sufficient ears with husks to fill the wreath. Mini ears make a prettier presentation.
• Fluff husks and arrange ears around the center of the wreath.
• Attach corn with wire or hot glue.
• Fill in gaps with foliage and affix to the wreath with glue.
• Wreaths can adorn doors, be used as a centerpiece or as a garland.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
