Easy Autumn Décor: 6 projects to help home feel like fall

By AMY ROGNLIE

It may not feel like fall in Central Texas yet, but it’s coming! And what better way to join in the spirit of the season than drinking a pumpkin spice latte? Just kidding. Even if you don’t like pumpkin spice or consider yourself “crafty”, you will enjoy making these simple home decor items without spending a lot of money.

Decorative Candle Holder

Items needed:
Decorative jar, mason jar, or vase
Half a bag of fresh cranberries, unpopped popcorn kernels or candy corn
Candle
Raffia, twine or ribbon
Directions: Choose a pretty jar or vase and fill it about a quarter of the way full with popcorn kernels or fresh cranberries. Nestle a candle down into the cranberries, then tie a bow around the top of the jar with raffia or decorative twine.

Tiered Autumn Display

Items needed:
Decorative tiered tray or something similar
Assortment of mini pumpkins, pinecones, dried flowers, etc.
Directions: Arrange a mixture of mini pumpkins, small decorative gourds, pinecones and dried or artificial flowers and/or leaves. Twist decorative ribbon or paper throughout the other items as desired.

Fall Leaf Garland

Items needed:
Purchased leaf garland
Strings of orange or white lights (the dollar store is a good source)
Directions: Wrap the leaf garland and lights, if using, around a handrail or porch rail. Or drape it over your fireplace mantle or over the top of a decorative wall mirror.

Pine Cone Garland

Items needed:
Pine cones
Jute twine or thin ribbon
Gold spray paint
Screw-in eye hooks
Pliers (optional, but helpful)
Directions: Screw an eye hook into the larger end of each pine cone, using the pliers to help. Spray the pine cones and the hooks with gold spray paint and let them dry thoroughly. Cut a length of twine about two feet longer than you want your garland to be. For a finished length of four feet, cut a piece of twine six feet long. String one pine cone onto the string and pull it to the middle of the piece of twine, then tie a over the eye hook so the pine cone stays where you want it. Working from the middle pine cone out on both sides, space your pine cones about four inches apart, tying a knot
For each one. Hang your garland on your fireplace mantle or above a doorway.

Autumn in a Bucket

Items needed:
Aluminum bucket from craft store or feed store
Assorted dried or artificial grasses, flower stems, or branches
Piece of floral foam (optional)
Directions: Arrange all items in the bucket, poking the stems into the floral foam as desired for more stability. Tie an autumn-themed or burlap ribbon around the bucket.

Gourd or Log Candles

Items needed:
Several small or medium decorative gourds OR small logs
Tea light candles
Knife and/or chisel and hammer or drill
Fall ribbon, leaves, berries, etc. (optional)
Directions: For the gourds, carve out a hollow in the top of the gourd just big enough to place a tea light candle without it falling through. For the logs, use a drill or a hammer and chisel to hollow out a small hole for a tea light candle to fit in all the way. Set your logs up on end and put one candle in the top, or lay the log horizontally and put several candles in a row. Arrange leaves, pine cones or berries around your logs or gourds for a lovely and unique display on your dining room table.