Getting Ready for Fall - DIY Creative Team

It looks like as soon as we pass the first half of the calendar year, the days start to fly!
July came, then August, and here we are, one step away from Fall.

Well, we better enjoy the approaching season before is too late. This installment of the DIY Creative Team is right on target because we're sharing ideas for how to get ready for Fall.

At the end of this post, you can check what my friends Brenda from Cozy Little House, Susan from Love of Home, and Cassie from Cassie Bustamante are doing to welcome Fall.

For me, the beginning of a new season means changing the mood around the house with simple decor touches, and I think a wreath is a good starting point. ;)

This is a very simple wreath, a Leaf Wreath that you can put together in about 30 minutes, for under ten bucks.
I got the leaves over at Michaels, but I'm sure you can also find them at the dollar store.

They come in the vibrant colors of the season, but I decided to tone them down, making them more appropriate for early Fall decor.

The paint treatment: Elmer's glue crackle painting.

I really wanted some of the color to show thru. - This is how it works:
You give each of the leaves a thick coat of glue. Let it set for a couple of minutes.

Still wet

Then, apply a coat of acrylic paint over the wet glue. I used two tones, white and parchment (ivory color), and didn't even cover the entire surface. 

Do not overbrush.

As the glue and paint dry, the crackled finish begins to appear.

Once the leaves are dry, you can go ahead and make the wreath.

For the wreath form, I used one of those white poster boards. Drew and cut out a 15" diameter circle, cutting the inside part to form a 1½" ring.

Using dots of hot glue, attach the biggest leaves to the ring.

I cut little squares from the same poster board. Those little squares were stacked by two and sometimes by three, to attach the next set of leaves (medium size). That would give the wreath some depth. Keep on layering the leaves from largest to smallest. - I had three sizes.

The final step is to get a piece of ribbon to hang your wreath in place.

I decided to change the decor in my bedroom. This is how the mantel looks now.

Some old books, a polka dot pumpkin, some dried hydrangeas from the garden...

And some wooden beads.

They all say hello FALL!

Have you used the glue crackle finish already? I've done it in the past on a wooden surface where the crackles showed some more. You can see that post right HERE.

But hey, this is how my friends are getting ready for Fall:

 Brenda - Cozy Little House

Susan - Love of Home

Cassie - Cassie Bustamante

Enjoy what you read today?

SUBSCRIBE HERE