Fall DIY decor that won’t break the bank
Happy fall y’all! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
With my favourite season underway, decorating my home is a must. But rather than just pulling out last year’s decor of leafy garland, sunflowers, pumpkins and gourds, I challenged myself to making some fall-themed decorations.
A fall staple for me are those beautiful wreaths of twigs, berries, red, orange and yellow leaves and other sprigs of colour. During a recent trip to Charlottetown with my mom (the Lorelei Gilmore to my Rory Gilmore) we hit up a craft store and bought all the necessary supplies. It also happened that a lot of the fall decor was 40 per cent off regular price (score!).
FALL WREATH
What you’ll need:
- Pack of fake leaves $3
- Glue Gun and glue sticks - Twig wreath (brown) $8 - Fall flowers and sprigs $8 Lay down some old newspapers or a towel you don’t mind getting some crafting remnants on. Place the wreath on the sheet and then begin to place leaves and other decor on the wreath. Do not glue down yet – this lets you test the different patters and placements before your final decision.
Once you find an arrangement you like, take a photo of it; that way, if something gets knocked out of place you have a reference point.
Apply hot glue generously to decor and hold in in place for 30 seconds after placement or until glue begins to cool and harden.
THE LANTERN
What you’ll need:
- Four picture frames $1.25 (each)
- Glue gun and glue sticks - Leftover fake leaves and decor
- One pack of fairy lights or flameless candle ($6 to $15)
Take apart each frame, removing the backing and glass. Then hot glue glass to the frame - there’s an edge on the inside of a frame the glass rests against, that’s where you want to put the glue and then place the glass on top. Do this step for the remaining three frames.
Once glass is secured into each frame, glue the frames together. With the inside-side facing in, put glue along edge of a frame. Press a second frame into the glue. You should be left with two sides of your lantern. Repeat until you make a box. Once frames are glued together, take frame backing(s) and cut to size so it can be used as a bottom on the lantern. Glue bottom on lantern.
Flip right-side up and then place loose leaves, gourds and other decor in it. If you want to leave a flameless candle in the lantern, leave enough room, or fill with leaves and gourds and fairy lights for a dreamy fall effect.
Wow homebodies, who knew I could be crafty? There you have it, two DIYS without breaking the bank.
Not a fan of getting your hands dirty? Purchase a metal lantern from IKEA (about $10) and use craft items like leaves and fairy lights for the same effect as your-made lantern.
Until next time!
Millicent Mckay is a Summerside-based journalist, columnist and blogger. She’s new to this interior decorating and making a house a home gig – but she’s a homebody determined to make every corner feel like… home! For more by her check out www.modernmillee.com and her Instagram page @modernmillee.