Fall Home Decorating: Scarecrow Door Wreath Craft

If you want to make a wreath for Fall, but want it to be a bit whimsical, you can try making a festive scarecrow wreath. The scarecrow will be the focal point of your wreath, and whatever you "dress" him in will determine the colors of the accessories that you will use to finish it out with. This will be a large size so make sure that you will have the room to hang it on your door. You can change the amount of flowers and decorator items you use for smaller versions. Here's what you will need for completing this project:

Supplies List

One 12 Inch Straw Wreath Ring (This will make your finished wreath roughly twenty to twenty-four inches in diameter.)

One 6 to 8 Inch Tall Scarecrow (You can buy pre-cut wooden ones and paint them yourself, find them already painted, or make one out of thin plywood.)

At Least Five Bunches of Assorted Artificial Fall Flowers (Get these in colors to match your scarecrow's "clothes".)

Small Decorative Items on Floral Picks (Such as pine cones, bunches of Fall leaves, tiny pumpkins, or small, feathered blackbirds.)

Large Decorator Bow in Fall Colors or Patterns

Fern Pins (Use to attach the decorative items and bow to your straw wreath ring.)

Wire Cutters (To cut the individual flowers from the bunches.)

Low Temperature Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (For attaching the scarecrow or items without floral picks to the straw wreath)

Step 1: Getting Everything Ready

Start off by taking the sprays of flowers and using your wire cutters, cut each flower off the bunch. Since most straw wreath rings are about two inches deep, you can cut the stems in varying lengths from three to four inches long. Try and keep the different kinds separated so that you can choose which one you want at a glance, and set them aside.

If you are going to make your own scarecrow, you can go ahead and get that drawn and cut out. If you purchased one that needs to be painted, you should get it finished before going to any of the next steps. Whether you make your own or decorate it, instead of painting try cutting out his "shirt", "coveralls" and "hat" from old material with pinking shears and gluing them on. To give him a more rustic look you can glue some pieces of straw sticking out of his cuffs, sleeves, and the brim of his hat. When you paint his face, remember to paint on the seams that would be holding him together, and give him a welcoming, pleasant, expression. He's going to be your door-greeter for the Fall season.

Step 2: Start Assembling Your Wreath

Once your scarecrow is painted, clothed, and ready to go you can start off by gluing him to one side of your straw wreath ring. Make sure you know which side you want him on before you glue him down. It would be hard to move him without damaging the straw wreath once the glue has set.

After he is situated and dried, take your flowers and begin placing them around the wreath. Keeping the colors and sizes balanced all the way around. You don't want to bunch groups of all one size or color together, spread them out for a fuller effect.

When you have the flowers in their places, complement the side opposite your scarecrow with the decorative items. Arrange them on the bottom of the wreath at an angle on the left if your scarecrow is on the right, or vice versa if he is on the left.

As soon as you have everything in place, use the fern pins to attach the bow across the top or slightly off center on the side opposite your scarecrow; whichever you would prefer. Now you have a festive scarecrow wreath that, if taken care of, will be around to greet your seasonal visitors year after year.