Tag Archives: Fall Craft

As Autumn Winds Down

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Depending on where you live, if you don’t have a lot of wind in autumn, you may still have some leaves on your trees. In Northern California where I am, there are still trees laden with golden leaves. However, if your leaves are all gone but you’re still in a fall mood, why not make some fall leaves and decorate with them? I designed this fun fall-themed photo holder as a way to bring all the color of fall inside where it is warm and cozy.

This is an easy fall craft project to make. I used unfinished wooden photo holders and AMACO Cloud Clay for the leaves. Cloud Clay is an air-dry clay so it’s easy to use for kids and adults and it can take quite a bit of detail as you can see in my Gingko leaves. If you don’t have a leaf mold in your stash, you can cut leaf shapes from Cloud Clay using regular scissors once it has dried a bit or you can use a cookie cutter. Cloud Clay colors can be mixed so you can get the colors of your choice – it’s a great medium to use for a range of fun crafts.

Here’s how to make this Fall photo stand :

materials

  • DecoArt Finish It Jumbo Paper Clip Photo Holders
  • AMACO Cloud Clay: Orange, White

tools

  • Acrylic roller (optional)
  • Leaf mold or leaf shape cookie cutter (optional)
  • Gesso
  • Acrylic paint: terra cotta, white
  • Glaze medium
  • White craft glue

basic supplies

scissors, paper towel, paintbrush

directions

Step 1

Paint the photo holders with a coat of gesso and set aside till dry.

Step 2

Paint the photo holders with two coats of terra cotta paint and set aside to dry.

Step 3

Make the leaves by mixing some Orange and White clay to get the color you want. I went for a golden color which matches the colors of the Gingko leaves. Knead the clay until it is soft and pliable. Pinch off enough Cloud Clay to fill your mold and then press the Cloud Clay into the mold to fill it. Release the Cloud Clay from the mold and set it aside to dry. You will need one leaf for each side of each photo holder.If you’re not using a mold, roll the clay to make a 3/8″ sheet and cut your leaf shapes from it using a cookie cutter. Alternately, wait until the clay is dry to the touch and cut leaf shapes from it using sharp scissors.

Step 4

Mix the white paint into some glaze medium and paint the photo holder with the white glaze. Immediately wipe the paint off with a paper towel.

Step 5

When the glaze layer is dry and your Gingko leaves are dry, adhere to the photo holders using Elmer’s white glue.

Step 6

Print some favorite fall photos and place in the photo holders. Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy your personalized photo holder, perhaps contemplating other fun crafts to make this holiday season.

Check back over the next few days as we share more fun crafts for you to make and enjoy.

by Helen Bradley (www.craftinggoodness.com)

Simple Autumn Napkin Rings

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Just like that, the shorter days of autumn are on us. Cooler, crisper days often kick up our creativity, but the demands of life such as school and work leave us with little time to create. If you have been searching for simple fall crafts to make, consider creating these miniature wreaths to adorn your fall table.

With just a few supplies, you will be creating these fall crafts that are as simple as they are fun. You might want to make one for the fall celebration hostess or even your neighbors and friends. They will be delighted to receive these fun fall crafts perfect for autumn decorating.

Gather some unfinished wood pieces such as wood rings, beveled napkin rings, and small ovals. Paint them brown, adding a coat of white to the small ovals when they are dry.

Choose a die cut that is leaf shaped or contains leaf-shaped elements such as this flower layer die by Sizzix. Cut several leaves from various fall colors of wool felt.

Adhere them around the wood ring to resemble a tiny wreath.

 

To add a fun touch to this simple fall craft, apply a rub-on sentiment on the white oval.

Adhere the oval to the center of the wreath.

Adhere the napkin ring to the wood ring to complete this colorful, festive craft!

Melony Bradley (www.mel-designs.typepad.com)

 

Apple Orchard Memories

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Many of our early fall traditions have come and gone this year, but I still have a lot of photos that I want to use to document my family’s memories. It’s Jill Cornell here with you today to share a mini album idea that highlights favorite photos of a fall tradition we love – picking apples at the orchard! My daughters love looking through tiny hand-held mini albums, so I created this “Apple of My Eye” tag mini album with them in mind. (All of the supplies and instructions to make this mini album can be found in the October 2012 issue of Crafts ‘n things.)

 I used a tag album by Maya Road and used the tags as a template to trace onto patterned papers (Farmhouse Collection by Crate Paper), then I either machine-stitched each tag before adhering or traced around the edge with a brown journaling pen.

The design inside the album is very simple. The photos were printed at 2”x3”. I covered the inside cover with a patterned paper that had lines for journaling.

 Each tag has minimal embellishments – a few stickers with sentiments and some chipboard frames, photo corners, etc.

Sometimes, I dressed up the chipboard elements, such as the rhinestones I used here.

And on the final pages, I even used a brad (where I removed the prongs) and a button threaded with twine.

To assemble the album, I hooked it together with the ball chain that was included with the album and tied some tulle at the top for a little texture.

Documenting family memories can be so easy, yet it can seem very overwhelming when looking through photos of an event. The key I try to remember is that I don’t have to use every photo but rather choose the highlights and go from there. For those with older children, they can also be involved in the process by selecting photos and journaling their memories of the event. Before the hustle of the holidays is upon us, take some time to document those fall family memories!

Jill Cornell from Blessed Scrapper (www.jillcornell.blogspot.com)

Give Thanks Appliquéd Heart Pocket

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Add color and charm to your Thanksgiving décor with this beautiful heart-shaped pocket that’s sure to let your guests know you hold your blessings close to your heart.

Materials

  • Wichelt Imports Lambswool 28-count Linen, 10” x 8”
  • DMC 6-strand Embroidery Floss: as listed on key; #3033 Very Light Mocha Brown
  • National Nonwovens Rust Polynesian Sunset Woolfelt, 9”x12-1/2”
  • Green grosgrain ribbon, 2/3 yard
  • Yellow buttons, 2/3”, two

Tools

  • Embroidery needle
  • Dritz Fray Check

Stitch Type

  • Backstitch: as indicated on key
  • Cross-stitch: 2 strands
  • French Knot: 1 strand wrapped two times
  • Sheaf Stitch: 2 strands

Basic Supplies

scissors, pen, pencil, straight pins, iron and pressing surface

Directions

Size/Stitch Count

Approximate finished size: 7-1/2″x6″; stitch count: 90 w x 65 h

Heart

1. Print heart pocket cross-stitch chart and key. Stitch design centered on fabric over two threads.

2. To create stalks, work sheaf stitch on top of cross-stitched field. For sheaf stitch: Stitch five vertical straight stitches over six squares. After stitching fifth straight stitch, bring threaded needle up from back, under center of stitches. Move needle under, around top and back under five straight stitches to gather gently at center. Secure thread ends on fabric back to hold in place. Continue with remaining stacks.

Sheaf Chart

3. When stitching is complete, carefully press design. Trace heart template onto paper and cut out. Place large heart pattern close to top edge of felt piece. Track around pattern with pen. Flip felt and repeat to make a second heart. Cut out both heart shapes, just inside inked lines. Center small heart pattern on back of stitch design. Check centering by holding up to light. Pin in place and trace heart using pencil on wrong side of stitched piece. Remove pattern and double check tracing. Adjust as needed and carefully cut out on traced lines. Apply Fray Check to raw edges.

4. When dry, center stitched heart on top of one of felt hearts. Pin in place; use two strands DMC #3033 to buttonhole stitch along edge of stitched heart, attaching to felt backing. (Note: To finish off buttonhole stitch at end, catch first stitch with last stitch and knot ends on back.) Place layered heart on top of remaining felt heart. Pin in place; and buttonhole stitch outer edges with two strands DMC #918. To create a pocket, be sure to stitch through only single felt layers along top edges (between large X’s shown on chart) and begin stitching front top edge. Start at upper right and work from right to left continuing around outside of heart.

5. Create hanger by folding 1” flat loops on each end of ribbon. Place looped ends on each side of heart, center small button on each, and stitch through all layers to secure ribbon ends and buttons in place.

by Lettie Eckberg for The Needle’s Notion

Autumn Centerpiece

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Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Become your own personal florist – it’s easier than you think. Impress family and friends by making this beautiful autumn centerpiece this Thanksgiving season.

Materials

  • Dow STRYOFOAM Brand Foam Disc, 2″x8″
  • Silk autumn leaves bush
  • Silk mum and berry bush
  • Autumn fruit and gourd picks, three
  • Glass candleholder, 5-1⁄2″ diameter., 8″ tall
  • Spice-scented candle, 4″ tall
  • Glass floral beads, small bag
  • Aleene’s Tacky Glue

Tools

  • Wire cutters
  • Scissors

Directions

Centerpiece Base

1. Cut foundation foliage to 8″ lengths. Dip ends in glue and insert into side of disc, facing to the right and rotating disc counter-clockwise as you insert foliage. Leave room in center of disc for placement of glass candleholder.

2. Cut flowers into 5″ lengths, dip ends in glue, and insert at various positions within foliage.

3. Dip pick ends in glue and insert at equal intervals throughout.

4. Let dry for two hours. Fluff foliage for a more natural look.

Candleholder

1. Gently place glass beads in bottom of candleholder.

2. Insert candle and place holder in center of base. (Note: Never leave lit candles unattended.)

Tip

Substitute the candleholder and candle with a jar candle. You’ll find so many great color and scents!

by Barb Sunderlage