Author: Kathleen Wilson
Source: articleage.com
Fall is my favorite time of year for decorating. Well, ok, so
maybe it's just behind the holidays, but you know what I mean! I
think it's because it represents a time of coming home and
cuddling in, preparing for the long cold days of winter.
Cacooning, halloween face painting pictures
, in a home filled with warmth and personality…mmm, no
better feeling, especially in times when life doesn't feel as
secure as it once did for many of us. How do you decorate your
home for the winding down of autumn when the money's tight? Read
this article, and you're on your way!
Fall is the best time, halloween face painting pictures
, for decorating organically; that is, with
natural elements. Natural ornaments for the home are abundantly
available this time, halloween face painting pictures
, of year, are extremely cheap or free, and
give us a good feeling of grounded goodness from Mother Earth.
So get the kids, and go on a nature walk! Make sure to take a
bag with you, and be sure only to collect fallen items that are
not protected, or on private land. (Don't worry, I'm going to
tell you what to do with all this in a minute!) Everything, halloween face painting pictures
, that
appeals to you is fair game here, and remember to look at
texture, color, or even memories an item brings back for you.
Acorns, pinecones, seed pods, sticks or branches, driftwood,
shells, empty wasp nests, bird nests, or cocoons, pressed and
dried flowers, back chunks, even, halloween face painting pictures
, pretty rocks! And of course,
cut and bring in those fall wildflowers! Sunflowers, zinnias,
cosmos, chrysanthemums, even roses all bloom in the fall and
make terrific bouquets. Even dried grasses displayed in a pretty
pitcher invoke those great feelings of autumn on it's way.
Now you're back home with all your treasures, you've started a
big pot of soup on the stove…and you can't figure out for the
life of you what you are going to do with all this stuff? For
starters, consider setting out simple ceramic, halloween face painting pictures
, or wooden bowls
lined with a pretty cloth napkin or scrap, and fill with some of
your goods. Texture abounds with natural elements, and will warm
up a tablescape, a coffee table, a fireplace hearth. Try getting
out the hot glue gun and affixing your items to the candles you
packed away at the first sign of summer. Small glass jars make
great votive holders when dressed up with a few pressed leaves
and acorns. Fill a bowl or plate with goodies around large
pillar candles and use as a centerpiece. If you can't find
enough natural material near your home, check out the bulk grain
section at your supermarket. Fall is about harvest, so any grain
can be used to add that element to your home. Even cracked corn
meant for the bird feeder can look great in a jar as a base for
a candle.
Lastly, don't forget the front porch when adding the element of
fall! After all, Halloween and Thanksgiving are on the way, it'
time to, halloween face painting pictures
, think about adding joy to our neighborhoods and
communities. Ask a local farmer or produce stand owner if you
can get some corn stalks, and display them on your porch with a
homemade scarecrow. My, halloween face painting pictures
, kids have been making scarecrows each
year since they were little, and they have a great time! Use old
clothing, a little muslin or an old pillowcase for the face,
stuff most of the body with newspaper or stuffing, then add a
little raffia or straw, halloween face painting pictures
, at the sleeve and neck cuffs. Make the
scarecrows representative of someone you know for fun…one year
my kids made our whole family, and if you know anything about
the size of my family, you'll understand it was quite a job!
Draw on the face with permanent makers and craft paint, and have
a great time!
Lastly, don't forget to preserve some of this magical time.
Press fall leaves, take pictures of your kids, and make some
really great new comfort foods to warm your family. Set the
stage for a wonderful place for your family to be this winter!
Copyright 2002 K. Wilson
