Using apples for a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table or to adorn a side table or buffet is a wonderful alternative to the 
traditional flower centerpieces. Many people use apples in their decor year round, so adding the crow to the basket is totally optional. You can even make the basket and just tuck the crow in for fall and remove it for the rest of the year.
You’ll need:
– small fruit barrel style basket
– black crow (optional)
– faux or real apples
– plastic bags or newspaper
– 1 1/2 wide red wired edged ribbon (3 yards)
– 5/8 inch wide red and white gingham check satin ribbon (3 yards)
– Bowdabra
– Bowdabra Bow Wire
– Scissors
– Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
– Raffia
Instructions:
1. Using a glue stick, glue the gingham check ribbon in the center of the wider red ribbon. Hot glue may be used instead, but using a glue stick makes the ribbon more flexible and easier to work with.
2. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to fit around the basket, then remove the wire from this piece. Wrap ribbon around the basket and secure with a little hot glue.
3. Fill basket with plastic bags to take up space.
4. Cover the plastic bags with raffia.
5. Arrange apples on top of the basket.
6. Cut a piece of Bowdabra wire about 20 inches long. Fold in half and place in the Bowdabra.
7. Cut a piece of ribbon about 9 inches long.Then fold the ribbon in half to find the center and place the center of the ribbon in the Bowdabra.
8. The remaining ribbon will be used for the bow. Insert one end of the ribbon into the Bowdabra. Make a loop about 3 inches long. Before you insert the end of the loop into the Bowdabra, twist the end. The loop will show the right side of the ribbon and the other side will show the wrong side of the ribbon.
9. Make another 3 inch loop on the opposite side and twist before putting the end into the Bowdabra.
10. Repeat steps 8 and 9 until there are 4 loops. Twist one more time. There should be a small piece of ribbon with the wrong side showing.
11. If needed, cut the small piece of remaining ribbon to be about the length of one loop.
12. Then insert the end of the small piece into the Bowdabra. This will make a tiny loop that will be the center of the bow.
13. Scrunch bow center with the Bowdabra Wand.
14. Leave the bow in the Bowdabra for now. Thread the 2 loose ends of the Bowdabra Bow Wire through the loop at the other end. Pull the wire tightly so the bow will not fall apart, then remove from the Bowdabra. Separate the two loose ends of the wire and bring them around to the back of the bow. Double knot, then trim excess wire.
15. Fluff bow as desired, then glue it on the left side of the basket.Trim and dovetail ends.
16. Add the crow to the right side of the apples. It can either be tucked in to be removed after the fall season or glue it to secure.
Your apple basket is now ready to be displayed. If you wish, add more raffia around the basket for a decorative touch.
