I love the autumn season. It is not enough for me to see the colorful leaves outside, I also need to have them inside. So, last year I had the idea to paint leaves on the inside of my windows. Lovely idea, but there was some clean-up involved. This year, I have found something even better. A company on Etsy, Wilson Graphics, has beautiful leaf decals. They can be used indoors or out and are waterproof and fade resistant. Perfect for enjoying the falling fall leaves even when I am not outdoors! Check out the huge variety of other decals this company offers. I really like the silhouette ones that feature birds, trees, and animals. Hmm… guess I really like nature.
Craft of the Day
Here in New England, Autumn seems to be on its way. There is a crispness in the air, it is getting darker a little earlier each night, and there are some hints of bright red and orange beginning to show. This time of year ignites my desire to bake and make crafts, so I recently went in search of some new ideas. I came across Martha Stewart’s website. I like that she has added a “Craft of the Day” section. I love to make things using natural materials, so the potato stamp idea really caught my eye. Now as a teacher, potato stamping is not an idea that is new to me. It is, however, like finding that old pair of jeans or sweater in the back of the closet that hasn’t been seen in ages. It automatically becomes new again. So, you can check out the potato stamp craft here. I also wanted to extend the idea with something I did last Thanksgiving. I decided to send cards last Thanksgiving to tell people that I love them and am thankful for them. I bought a pack of creme-colored note cards with envelopes. I went outside and gathered 3 different types of leaves that were in great condition. I then used gold and copper craft paint to make leaf prints on the front of the cards (To avoid glop’s, brush the paint onto each leaf). On the inside of the card, I wrote with a gold gel pen “Thankful for you!”. They turned out beautifully and the gold and copper colors were truly characteristic of the season.
A Fun Way to Welcome Fall
I love the beautiful colors of fall! Each year I am stumped on how to bring the outside indoors. After much experimentation, I discovered an inexpensive way to make it happen. I began by collecting many different leaves that were freshly fallen on the ground. I then gathered different color paints that were representative of fall colors. On each leaf, I painted the different colors. Some were one solid color such as yellow while others had some red and orange. I then used the leaves to make prints on the inside of my windows. It gives the look of fallen leaves through the whole season. Be sure to use a paint that is not too thick. A water based paint may make for easier cleanup and it allows for some sunlight to capture the beauty of your leaves. A stem can be added with some brown paint and a fine brush once you have stamped each leaf on the window and it has dried. To remove your leaves, a CLEAN razor blade will scrape it right off. First dampen the area with a solution of water and ammonia or some glass cleaner. Scrape off painted area and wipe with a clean rag or paper towel. Be careful not to scratch the glass! Wipe the blade off frequently to remove any debris from the blade. *Always keep sharp objects out of reach of children.
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