Spin Photos Into Pop Art

Man, four minutes can fly, especially when they’re over in three and a half. That’s what happened last week when I was on ABC TV News showing viewers how to make seasonal centerpieces. Thanks to the expert gliding-along skills of anchor Bertha Lynn, I breezed through my demo, and got through all four seasons plus a bonus holiday centerpiece. Whew!

The topic was one I covered in a recent column: How to create home décor using stuff you have lying around the house – like husbands. I say that because when I told Dan that I was trying to make something out of nothing, he told me I was the world champion. So he had that coming. Anyway, for those who missed it, or for whom the demo just went too fast, (and no, they don’t provide a link) here’s the recap, or at least what I tried to say:

To make a seasonal centerpiece, you need three things:

1. Fabric – Use a scrap, about a square yard, of material you have left from some interior project — drapes, bedding, pillows – or that old bridesmaid dress (yikes!). Think seasonal. I like humble fabrics, burlap or loose-weave linen, in summer, cotton toile in spring, corduroy in fall, and velvet in winter. The scrap does not need finished edges, because you tuck them in. Scrunch up the fabric so it looks billowy, like it’s tossed on, but, of course, it isn’t. Don’t smooth it out like a tablecloth.

2. Container – Find a large wooden, glass, metallic or ceramic bowl or platter. I prefer simple, so no hand-cut crystal or painted china. Set it on the scrunched fabric.

3. Seasonal accent – Organic choices from the outdoors are my first choice. Fruit is perfect. Pears, apples or citrus look great set artfully in your container. Here’s the difference between something that looks like groceries and something that looks like a still life: Take the stupid little stickers off. Arrange only one kind of fruit in odd numbers. Stack them a little. Vegetables, such as heads of ruffled cabbage or eggplant, can also look marvelous. Flowers, of course, pinecones, squash will also do, so long as the accent fits the season. Here’are some seasonal suggestions:

§     Summer: Burlap, a distressed dark wood platter and lemons.

§     Spring: Lavender silk, a glass trifle bowl filled with water, and floating Gerbera daisies.

§     Fall: A paisley printed cotton in harvest colors, a cream ceramic platter, gourds.

§     Winter: Burgundy velvet, a large silver bowl, glass holiday ornaments in a single color.

So, in case I didn’t say it all on air, that’s what I meant to say last week. I’ll be back on ABC May 5 talking about frugal masterpieces, so tune in. I’ll talk fast.