Any excuse to get crafty is a good one– which is why autumn brings with it no shortage of opportunities for DIY decorating. Here are three easy projects that will have your space looking extra fall-sy in no time.
Papier-Mâché Pumpkins
You’ll need:
- Balloons
- newspaper other scrap paper
- Green curling ribbon
- Green pom poms
- Hot glue or tacky glue
- Mod podge or papier-mâché paste*
- Paintbrush
- Orange acrylic and/or craft paint
*Note: You can make your own paste by mixing white craft glue with water in a large bowl.
- Blow a balloon up to your desired size. Tie the balloon off.
- Tear your paper into small strips, and apply to the balloon by dipping the paper in paste. You can apply more paste with a paintbrush if necessary.
- Cover your balloon completely, leaving a small hole where the end of the balloon will remain exposed, and allow the paste to dry.
- Once dry, pop the balloon and paint the papier-mâché shell orange. Allow paint to dry.
- Attach a few ribbon curls and a pom pom at the top of the ‘pumpkin’, covering the opening.
Metallic Leaf Garland
You’ll need:
- Scrap cardboard
- Pencil or pen
- Precision knife/X-Acto knife
- Silver, copper, and/or gold craft paint
- Paintbrushes
- Heavy duty hole punch
- Autumn or earth-toned yarn
- Draw leaves of desired shape and size on the surface of the cardboard. Carefully cut the leaves out with your precision knife.
- Punch a hole at the base of each leaf, and paint them in your desired colors. Allow the leaves to dry.
- Thread the yarn through each leaf, tying a knot around each leaf you add. You can space these out however you like, although 2-3 inch spaces are a good reference point.
Mini Doorknob Wreaths
You’ll need:
- Pipe cleaners (orange, yellow, brown, red, etc.)
- Green satin ribbon
- Hot glue gun
- Orange buttons
- Twist 3-5 pipe cleaners together, and then shape into a circle.
- Tie a small bow with your ribbon and glue it to the place where the ends of the pipe cleaners meet.
- Once the ribbon is dry, glue the button in the center of the ribbon.
- Hang your ‘wreaths’ from any door or cabinet knobs as desired.
