Tree Branches and Leaves for Bright Autumn Corner Decor

I know this is hugely late but I'm posting it anyway. Life and projects have eaten my time for months!

Here is the corner of my living room where I keep this urn and painted branches almost all year. The square corner table is perfect for the space and easy to dress up for every season. I change the table cloth and the decor with stuff I have on hand and, of course, bright silk foliage from The Dollar Store.

But first let's go back a bit when the corner was looking a bit cluttered at the end of summer. These two couches form the favorite lounging corner in our house so I try to change it up seasonally. 

Ah, Number One Son likes that spot.

And here it is again, all fluffed up with autumn decor. I added a vase of leaves in a basket on the coffee table

I added a stack of my restyled books which I've crafted to look like vintage editions.

And here's a link....

         http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2014/01/how-to-restyle-books-to-look-like.html

Then I just played around with everything until I liked the design as a whole. That's the fun part!

                          

I have muslin curtains hanging over lace panels on my window wall. So I added my big coffee filter wreath (made from a Dollar Store hula hoop!) and more leafy garlands.

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2013/11/oversize-wreath-from-hula-hoop.html

Here's a link to that easy rosette and autumn leaves wreath decor....

http://makethebestofthings.blogspot.com/2014/09/quick-change-wreath-decor.html

All done fussin' and ready to start enjoying. I love how the corner decor looks with my own paintings on the wall and the ever changing pillows I made for the couches. Holiday season, bring it on!!

Pretty Lace Pumpkins

Since we've moved I have not yet found all my holiday stuff, and I've been itching to get some things changed up. What to do? Why, make some decor with what I can find, of course.

So I shopped my stash and found scraps of black lace yardage, and fabric in white and rusty orange and some crochet thread.....and ta da! Lacy pumpkins to get me kick started.



Cut your lace and backing fabric the same size. Make the length twice as much as the width. This gives you pleasing pumpkin proportions.



Sew both pieces together on the long edge with your longest stitch. Or you can do this by hand with needle and thread. Pull your thread up tight and gather it and tie it off. I put a dab of hot glue on the thread ends to keep them taut. Then sew your short side seam.

Turn it inside out.

Stuff your pumpkin full with fiberfill or whatever you have at hand. I've even used plastic shopping bags in a pinch. Lord knows we have plenty of them!

After stuffing, pull thread on the top edge tightly to gather and tie your threads, then secure with a little bit of hot glue.


Thread a sturdy, long needle with black crochet thread or string. Tie a knot in one end and run it through your pumpkin, straight through the middle. Draw it tight. The tighter it is, the fatter your pumpkin will look. Do this about six times.

Look! Plump pumpkiny goodness!

Glue a stick and some fake leaves at the top for a bit of color. So cute! By this point you will be smiling and quite pleased with yourself. Or is that just me?



And here is the combination of black lace over orange fabric. Gorgeous! I'm thinking now I need to make some black ones with white lace, just to complete the lacy look. And the best part? These didn't cost me a dime since I made them with scraps from my stash. Win win!

Ooh aah. I love the look of the black lace over the solid colors. At the top left is a plain white pumpkin with no lace. I like the pure simplicity of it. Now to the fun part, putting this all together for a colorful display.

I'll be linking up to the fun parties in my sidebar plus The Fall Festival below.  Stop by and take a look, there are always tons of creative ideas out there.