I love fall! After the heat of summer, fall’s cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and colorful landscape are a refreshing change. As the days get shorter and the skies bluer, my brain kicks into creative overdrive thinking of all sorts of projects to begin. The best part is that fall projects are often quick and easy, easy, easy! Plus, my favorite projects provide inspiration for future projects.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at my fall to-do list. It’s guaranteed to get your creative juices stirring!
Things to do this fall:
1) Go yard sale shopping! Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like picking through other people’s junk! I’m always amazed at the things people get rid of. (One person’s yard sale junk is another person’s next crafty project!) Digging through cast-offs is a great way to cultivate ideas for new projects. An old chipped flowerpot? Perfect for using as a toad house. Plain jane pumps? With a little embellishment, they become the perfect shoes to wear with your little black dress. Plaid shirts and overalls? Just the thing for a friendly scarecrow to greet visitors (See idea #2.).
2) Build a scarecrow. A house is not truly ready for autumn without a scarecrow! Scarecrows welcome the season–and occasionally scare away crows. Scarecrows allow you to showcase both your creativity and sense of humor. The best thing is, when it comes to building a scarecrow, there are no rules! They can be scary, funny, serious, large, small, big-headed, or even headless. They can be stuffed with straw, newspaper, old clothes, or nothing at all. Short on ideas? Just google “scarecrow” for inspiration.
3) Create an easy centerpiece. The key word here is easy! No special flower arranging skills are required. Here are the steps: First, select a jug, vase, pitcher or other medium-to-large container that will hold water. Fill it about 2/3 full of water. Second, grab a pair of pruning sheers and head outside. Third, select and cut branches of colorful leaves. Choose from trees, shrubs, vines, or even colorful weeds. Finally, carry branches inside, remove lower leaves, and stick the branches in your container. If you have more than enough branches for your container, pull out another container and make a second arrangement! Using tree branches for arrangements is one of my favorite decorating tricks. It’s a great way to spruce up a room when you are entertaining. I use this trick in summer, too, but fall foliage is much more interesting!
4) Decorate with gourds and pumpkins. Another easy decorating trick. Gourds and pumpkins are everywhere this time of year, from your local supermarket to roadside produce stands. If you pay attention, you can find great prices. Roadside markets generally offer a large selection and reasonable prices, while big box retailers often offer promotional prices on pumpkins. With the addition of a large pumpkin and/or a couple of gourds, an entryway is suddenly seasonal! Smaller gourds and pumpkins look great clustered on a table or fireplace mantle. For extra impact, place them around the cut branch centerpiece from #3!
5) Take a walk. We are all so busy, busy, busy! It’s hard to make time to stop and smell the roses–or in this season to smell the crisp air and the faint scent of burning leaves! This fall, take time to experience the season. Soak in the sights, smells and sounds of nature. You don’t have to head to the mountains to enjoy the scenery. Even a walk around the neighborhood can refresh, invigorate, and inspire. Allow yourself time to just breath deeply and be fully in the moment. Enjoy the now. This season won’t last forever!
I’d love to hear from you! What things are on your fall to-do list? What things do you do to get inspired during the fall months? Share your thoughts and ideas here, or on facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Carol-Artisan-Jewelry/255649044446614