Decorating For Fall

When thinking of decorating for Fall the aromas of dried leaves, apples, spices and the cool crisp air comes to mind. Our eyes are filled with nature's beautiful changing colors. It's the season for witches, scarecrows, gourds, pumpkins and turkeys.

The weather is perfect for hiking and long road trips to see all the changing colors. It's the best time for bonfire parties, sipping apple cider and roasting marshmallows.

We have two holidays in the fall. First, Halloween with trick-or-treat and haunted houses and then Thanksgiving with turkey and all the fixens.

Simple decorating ideas that look effortless are perfect for this time of year. One easy idea is placing different sized and colored pillar candles in a large bowl, platter or tray. Tie corn husk around the center of the candles for a Fall effect.

Place them any where, on a coffee table or dinning table. Pillar candles can be found cheep at discount stores ranging from $1 for 4" - $1.50 for 6" pillars.

Gourds and pumpkins make easy Fall decorations. Place small gourds in clear glass vases or bowls for great fall color or just set a few around on tables, shelves or the fireplace mantel.

Buy pressed leaves from naturespressed.com about 20 leaves for $4.00. Another option: Press Fall leaves between wax paper. Display the fall leaves in picture frames to place on a fireplace mantel, shelves, tables or leaning against the wall.

It's easy ro press leaves. Place leaves between two pieces of wax paper.Place a cloth over the wax paper and iron. The heat from the iron will seal the wax paper together. The wax paper will preserve the leaves and make the colors even more vibrant.

I was lucky this year and found a cornucopia at a local discount store. It's a basket, grass type thing that is pretty big in size and looks amazing on the table. It was a bargain at only $4. I stuffed it with Spanish moss, colorful leaves, plumes and gourds for a simple centerpiece.

I wanted a table runner to place under the cornucopia, in a rough material, something that looked natural. I had this large burlap bag that I thought would be perfect. This is how I made it; doubled the runner by cutting two pieces to the size I wanted. Connected the edges with iron on adhesive.

The burlap bag was brown so I lightened it with an off white latex paint. I decided to add fringe to each end of the runner. So I made a trip to Joann Fabric for fringe. The fringe was white so I placed it in a bowl of hot tea to stain. After the fringe dried I connected it to each end of the runner with iron on adhesive. The total cost of the runner was $3.

Next, I wanted candle holders to place with the cornucopia........something with a natural rugged material. Greg made the candle holders you see pictured with bamboo.

If you have access to bamboo take advantage and cutting down the dead trees. You can use it for some really cool stuff like these bamboo candle holders pictured.

If you don't have access to bamboo trees, try World Market, they sell bamboo.

In a matter of about 10 minutes Greg had cut three candle holders from the dried bamboo tree. They are each 4,6 and 8 inches tall.

The bamboo candle holders are topped with 4" pillar candles. The total cost for the bamboo candle holders and pillar candles, $3 for the candles and $0 for the holders.

Now that's my kind of Fall decorating. Easy, simple, effortless, and thrifty.

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