Do-it-Yourself: Autumn Decorating Ideas

Although there are many do it yourself Halloween decorating ideas, here are a few to get you started: Homemade Scarecrow, Decorative Window cutouts, and Room Potpourri.

First I will start with the

Homemade Scarecrow. You will need a pair of old jeans/pants, an old long-sleeved shirt, old gloves, old boots/shoes, safety pins, straw hat, plastic pumpkin container, dowel stick, drill, and chair/step to sit him on. The reason I say "old" when referring to the clothes for the scarecrow is because you will be stuffing them with leaves, make sure it is something you do not mind getting dirty. If you have a yard, this is a wonderful way to get the yard work done and spend time with your kids creating the scarecrow afterwards. Now, if you have started with gathering all your items, set them aside, so that you can first rake and gather all those leaves. Next you should wear protective gloves, and picking up the leaves, stuff them into the gloves, shirt, and pants, making it as bulky as you want.

Afterwards you can attach the gloves to the shirt and the shirt to the pants by using safety pins. Then you will need to take the plastic pumpkin container (usually used for kids to go trick-or-treating) and drill a whole in the bottom. Now you will need your dowel stick and puncture it through the whole. Next you will place the head onto the body of your Scarecrow, and then place the straw hat on top. Afterwards you can tuck the ends of the pants into some sneakers or boots and could possibly fill them with leaves too.

Next we move onto the

Decorative window cutouts. You will need seasonal cutouts which are best found in any scrap booking section of your local craft store, or you could make your own by using colored construction paper, glue, sparkles (optional), scissors, and markers. This is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon or even as an after school project with your kids. First you lay out your cutouts and I find it best to trace glue along the outside and then put sparkles on it. As they are seasonal decorations, try using seasonal colors such as brown, orange, red, yellow, and even black. These cutouts could even make a great "wind" chime. The possibilities are endless and really the choices here are up to you!

Finally we stop with the seasonal

Room Potpourri. You will need a decorative plate or clear Mason jar would also work, along with an apple, knife, paper towels, bowl, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, allspice, almonds, walnuts, and dried leaves. First, holding your apple, peel in a circular motion. Next, place the apple peels into a bowl of lemon juice. This will keep the peels from turning brown. Then place the peels onto some paper towels, soaking up any extra lemon juice. Now arrange all the items on a decorative plate as a centerpiece on your kitchen table or on your coffee table. For those of you with little ones it may be best to opt for the Mason jar, and just drill wholes in the top of lid so as to keep all the pieces in one place, while still obtaining that wonderful smell!

Happy Decorating!