Buying and Using Bittersweet in Fall Decor

In an aha moment, I realized that I could buy dried flowers off of eBay. 

I bought some blue hydrangeas from Washington state and used those in some displays around the house. 

The thought that I might be able to find bittersweet occurred to me one September.
I located some sellers in New England and I've been ordering it ever since. 

This year on September 8th, I ordered 1lb. of bittersweet from a Connecticut seller. It arrived 5 days later. 

1lb-Farm-Fresh-Cut-New-England-Bittersweet-No-Leaves

Here is the link to the seller I used.  

Here are some ways I've used it in my vignettes. 

The ceramic pumpkin in the birdcage is my favorite pumpkin. The stem broke at some point but I repaired it. Normally, once something is broken, it gets tossed but not this. I found it at the local high school craft fair and wanted to get another one but the seller isn't there anymore. 

My tool box crow display cracks me up. 

The first time my bittersweet came it had leaves. 

None of my other purchases have had leaves. 

Everyone needs to "capture" a crow and put it in a birdcage. 

I also ordered this scarecrow off of eBay. I thought he was hand made. He's not but he's still a cutie. 

As soon as your package of bittersweet arrives, separate it and lay it out to dry. This makes it easier to work with later.  

Some was tucked into a wreath featuring burlap sunflowers. 

There's my favorite pumpkin in another vignette. 

In the centerpiece during the chicken feeder craze. 

Are velvet pumpkins still a craze? 

On the porch with the best IKEA throw. Sadly, this throw has been discontinued. 

The inside of the house is almost decorated for fall.

I just need to go by the produce store for some outside pumpkins and then I'll decorate the front porch. 

I hope this inspires you to get some bittersweet. 

It's just too cute. 

Katie

Fresh Bittersweet

A bite of sweet followed by a bitter aftertaste. 

  

A sweet memory lace with a touch of sadness.

A charming vine dotted with a perfect pop of orange.

The American Bittersweet vine is on the decline while the Oriental Bittersweet vine requires vigilance to keep it from becoming invasive, 

but, what a sweet darling of fall.

I'm sharing ways that I've used fresh bittersweet in decor in the last three years.

A few years ago, I discovered that I could get it off of eBay.

In a couple of days, it come wrapped in tissue paper with a cute bow. 

I was thrilled since it doesn't grow in our area.

I love the yellow casing around that gorgeous orange berry.
The curling tendrils are just too adorable.

I bought mine from a seller called The Happy Crow. 

It makes a darling display with my happy crow in the garden room. 

It's cute in my chicken feeder from Tractor Supply. 

Sadly, it doesn't keep from year to year. 
The berries and casings drop like crazy causing a little bitterness at clean up time. 

Do you like bittersweet? 

Two weeks from today, I kick off a blog tour featuring some awesome Texas bloggers. 

Please make plans to visit everyday with links to some wonderful fall inspiration. 
Happy Monday! 
Katie 

Fresh Bittersweet

It's bittersweet time!

It is perfect for natural fall decorating but it doesn't grow in Texas.  

Did you know that there are sellers on eBay that will ship it to those of us in western regions?  

Three nights ago I did a search for fresh bittersweet vine.

There were about three or four different sellers. 

I went with a 5 - 7ft leafless vine from the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

It was $14.99. Shipping was $9.00.

It came today. 

I opened it immediately. 

I adore the packaging. 

There were four bundles wrapped in white tissue paper. 

There isn't one seven foot long vine but quite a few smaller vines totally more than seven feet. 

The largest is about three feet long. 

It is still pliable for a little while but the longer it dries, the less pliable it will be. 

Several of these pieces will be used in swags. 

Several will be used in wreaths. 

I shaped them accordingly. 

Last year I stuck the package in the garage until I was ready to decorate. 

The vines were already pretty dry and harder to work with.

Look at all this inspiration from my Fall Pinterest board.

If you like to decorate with naturals, this stuff is a must have.

It is poisonous so be careful around small children. 

You can have it in three business days. 

Keep in mind that it is a little messy because it sheds but

it all goes in the compost or rubbish pile at the end of the season. 

It doesn't keep from year to year so there is no need for a complicated tote system like I have. 

It's perfect for those of you that like the real deal. 

Three business days! 

You will love this stuff. 

Katie   
Linking with,
Ms Toody Goo Shoes

A Stroll Thru Life 
Coastal Charm

Savvy Southern Style

French Country Cottage

Stone Gable Cottage

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Funky Junk Interiors

From My Front Porch to Yours

Common Ground
 Between Naps on the Porch