Fall is perfection download and DIY crafts
I turned on my space heater this morning for the first time in months and that can mean only one thing—FALL IS HERE! I love fall as much as the next person. Bring on the pumpkin spice flavored anything/everything. Bring on tights and not having to shave as frequently. Bring on oversized sweaters and slippers. Bring on cool nights and a lot more cuddling. Bring on football and soccer. Bring on the beauty of a world in color.
You might just say that fall IS perfection. Did you see what I just did there?
My hats off to all of you who have the energy to decorate for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. I’m more of a decorate for fall type of girl. Mostly because I always seem to run out of time/energy. Which is why I’m a fan of things that I can use again and again, look like I put A LOT of effort into, and are versatile. Because if I’m spending time creating something it better pull it’s weight.
These following crafts are the perfect compliment to our Fall is Perfection subway art. And we won’t tell anybody you didn’t slave all weekend on them.
For both our Fall Leaf Garland and our Circle Leaf Garland you’re going to need to collect and preserve leaves. This is the hardest part of the craft and it’s really not that hard. Properly preserved leaves will last a long, long time. Just a couple of things to keep in mind. First, it’s best to pick leaves straight from the trees so you know they’re fresh. Second, get your leaves into Glycerin right away as it’ll help better preserve the color. Third, the colors are going to fade and change slightly. Reds and Oranges are going to take on a russet hue. Green is going to become a brown-green. Fourth, don’t get skimpy on the glycerin or take them out too early. I learned this the hard way when I created a beautiful leaf banners for a fall wedding, only to not be able to keep them as I skimped on the glycerin AND didn’t leave them to soak long enough.
How to preserve leaves
Step 1
Mix glycerin and water in a 1:2 ratio. One parts glycerin: two parts water.
Step 2
Place leaves on the bottom of a pan and cover with the water/glycerin mixture. Make sure that there is enough solution to cover all the leaves completely. You may want to weigh down the leaves with another pan.
Step 3
Soak the leaves for 3-4 days. Yes days. Soak until the leaves feel soft and supple and if you have to, soak them longer until they feel that way.
Step 4
Once they are done. Gently blot leaves with a paper towel.
DIY circle leaf garland
I heart this garland kind of a lot. Nothing beats the beauty found in nature. This garland is insanely easy once you have the leaves all preserved.
Materials Needed
- Preserved leaves
- Twine/ribbon
- 1” circle punch
- hot glue gun
Using a 1” hole punch cut out circles from the preserved leaves. Attach the circles to the twine/ribbon with the hot glue gun. (You can also use masking tape if you don’t have a glue gun.) See. So simple.
Fall leaf garland
The opportunities for these garlands are endless.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Preserved leaves
- Hot glue gun
- Twine/ribbon
Step one
Attach the leaves to your choose strip or twine using a hot glue gun. Be careful not to burn your fingers!
Circle garlands
There are circle garlands and then there are circle garlands. This is the second type of garlands and all because of a little sewing.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Cardstock
- 1” circle hole punch
- sewing machine and thread
- twine/ribbon
- hot glue gun
I cut out the shapes first and then ran them through the sewing machine on different settings, but you could also sew the paper first and then cut out the shapes. Then I glued the final shapes to the string.