Go Green This Fall with an Acorn and Fall Leaf Wreath

The fall season is fast approaching and soon it will be time to decorate the inside and outside of our homes with seasonal decor such as bright orange pumpkins, green gourds, golden straw, and whimsical scarecrows. One decoration that is a favorite for many homes is a door wreath. Thousands of door wreaths are made each year, which can be purchased in a variety of different stores; however, if you want to display your creative side, try making a fall wreath using recyclable items from the environment such as acorns and leaves gathered from a Sunday afternoon stroll. This is a great project to engage a child's help. They will enjoy helping to gather acorns and leaves, helping to lay out the wreath design, and spending time with you.

Items Needed to Make an Acorn and Fall Leaf Wreath

-Acorns (you will need enough to cover the front and sides of a straw wreath)
NOTE: You can use acorns with or without the caps. A mixture of both makes a unique wreath.
-Dry, colorful fall leaves of different sizes (about a dozen will do)
-Straw wreath (your preference for size)
-Newspaper
-Glue gun
-Small brush
-Spray shellac (optional)
-Bright colored ribbon (approximately two yards)
-Thin craft wire (for making bow from ribbon)
-Purchased already made bow (optional)

Instructions for Making Acorn and Fall Leaf Wreath

After you have gathered your acorns and leaves, place them on the newspaper and inspect each acorn. Discard any that have cracks or wormholes. Use the small dry brush to remove any dirt and debris. Starting on the top inside of the wreath and working to the front and then the outside, glue on the acorns. You can glue them in a random pattern, diagonal or straight, it is your preference. This will take some time to complete, so you may want to do a couple rows and let them dry before proceeding. Do not let a child handle a hot glue gun, but they can hand the acorns to you as you glue them on the wreath.

The fall leaves you collected can be pressed before adding to your wreath or you can use them as is. You can also apply a small amount of shellac to them to preserve them longer. You have several different choices when it comes to arranging your fall leaves on the wreath. You can arrange them all together on the top or slightly to one side or the other and place the bow next to them. On the other hand, you can arrange them randomly around the wreath. It is your choice. I suggest you try several different ways before gluing them in place.

NOTE: You may want to wait until you have applied all the acorns and leaves before spraying it with the shellac.

NOTE: If you are going to press the leaves, make sure they are viable enough. If they are too brittle, they may break during the pressing process.

If you have bought a ready-made bow, you can attach it now, again your choice of placement. If you are going to make a bow, be sure to use thin wire around the center of the bow to hold it in place and attach it to your wreath. I have found that a brown or burnt orange colored ribbon looks great with the acorns and fall leaves.

Your wreath is now ready to hang for all to see.

Sources: Personal Experience, Herbal Craft Projects