Fall is a fun and exciting season to decorate. The earthy colors and spicy scents all combine to make your home totally cozy during those crisp autumn months.
If you’re the creative type, you’re probably feeling the urge to make some fall crafts. But wait! Don’t go to the store and spend hard-earned money on fall branches, faux leaves and fake outdoor items.
Make use of the materials around you, in your very own backyard. Your immediate environment is the perfect place to find materials for all those fall-inspired craft projects. And your costs will be completely minimal. Let’s get started:
1. Fall branch bouquet
Try this craft idea for a fun, colorful fall bouquet made entirely of branches (who needs flowers?). Gather an assortment of medium-sized sticks. Lay sticks on newspaper and paint in bright fall colors – red, orange, yellow, gold and brown. Brushed acrylic paints work, but spray paint goes faster. When dry, gather branches together and fasten with rubber band. Display your finished fall craft in a pretty vase.
2. Grapevine wreath
Got dry, dead grapevines in your backyard? We sure do! Remove dry grapevines (and remove leaves), then bend grapevine into a circle, the size of your desired wreath. To fasten edges, tuck the end of the grapevine into a nook or bend in the vine. Add more vines by tucking the ends into the established wreath, and bending around the circle. Continue adding vines until satisfied. The finished wreath can be displayed as-is for fall, or enhanced with paint, leaves, acorns, pinecones or other items.
3. Framed golden leaves
If your backyard is like mine, once autumn hits, the grass is soon completely covered in orange and brown leaves. For a unique fall craft, honor those leaves by framing them in style. Find some pristine leaves in your backyard, without any tears of flaws.
On newspaper, spray both sides of the leaves with gold spray paint, then let dry. Tape or glue down to a piece of mat board, then display inside a frame. This is an easy, elegant looking fall craft.
4. Acorn-bordered mirror or frame
Gather a multitude of acorns from your backyard. Prepare a plain picture frame or mirror with a border. Use tacky glue or a hot glue gun to attach acorns (or their tops) all the way around the border of the frame or mirror. Once finished, you’ll have a very fall-looking decoration, perfect for a cabin or lodge (or any home).
5. Scented hanging pine cones
Search your backyard for an assortment of pine cones (wipe off to remove bugs or dirt before using for crafts). Place pine cones, as well as many drops of scented oil (cinnamon or pumpkin are perfect) in a resealable plastic bag, close, shake, and let sit for 24 hours. When you open the bag, tie a length of cord or ribbon around the end of the pine cone.
A bundle of hanging scented pine cones can be displayed on your front door in place of a wreath, hung from eaves, in front of windows, or hung along a mantle or stairway as a garland. The possibilities are endless for this easy fall craft.
So next time you get inspired to make some seasonal decorations, forget your ritual trip to the craft store and get outside. Search your backyard to find just about all the materials and inspiration you need.
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– Upcycle Tree Branches into Unique Holiday Crafts
– Christmas Crafts for Kids: Polymer Clay Ornaments
– Easy Snowflake Crafts for Winter Decorating