With the start of October just around
the corner, this is a great time to work on craft projects for the season that
can be a part of your décor until Thanksgiving.
Whether you’re going it alone or bringing the kids in to participate,
too, get some supplies ready for a crafty good time.
Buying a craft store swag of fall
leaves can work on its own, but you are limited to the one long piece unless
you start taking it apart. Pull the
leaves from the plastic center and opt for a variety of uses. Tie string, raffia, or ribbon strands in
varying lengths to the ends of individual leaves and hang them in a window or
doorway using push pins or clip rings as a disconnected banner. String them together for a thin garland to
hang on the mantle, on a door, or on a buffet or hutch. Tuck little clusters of leaves under other
centerpiece items like vases and pumpkins for a connected, fuller look. Fill cylinder vases with leaves and wrap a
wide section of ribbon around the outside, tying the ends in a knot.
Make your own front door wreath by
starting with a foam circle if you intend to cover the entire surface or a
dried natural wreath to add accents onto.
Use a hot glue gun to add feathers, leaves, artificial mum blooms,
acorns, burlap, other fabric strips, or mini gourds, pumpkins, or dried
corn.
Paint pumpkins with craft paint or
spray paint for a front door display.
Paint them solid or use painters’ tape, string, or freehand skills to
make your own design; look at online examples for a creative boost. Rest them on cake stands or turntables
covered with newspaper for the best coverage.
You could use stencils to paint your house numbers or lettering for a
monogram or saying. Pinecones and acorns
could also be spray painted and used as a bowl or vase filler.
Find fitting wall decals online and
give them more longevity than one season applied to a wall by applying them to
a plain wrapped canvas, a mirror, the glass of a frame you fill with craft
paper, or a serving plate you rest on a stand or hang on the wall. You could also buy decal lettering and apply
to a set of canisters or glass vases and spell out anything you wish. Decorate the outside of glass cylinder vases
for a centerpiece using a hot glue gun and twigs, cinnamon sticks, fabric
strips, ribbon, burlap, or contact paper.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star September 29th.
