The air is becoming crisp, colors are changing
and cozy sweaters are starting to make their way
back into your wardrobe’s rotation. Autumn has
arrived, and its natural beauty shines radiantly to
warm the heart and inspire fresh crafting ideas.

This fall season, warm colors, rich textures and
creative details stand out. Interest in homemade
crafts and do-it-yourself decorating projects has
never been stronger.

Clever crafts can help to create an autumn
atmosphere that is simply elegant or pure fun for the family. When
thinking about your fall DIY projects, try some of these ideas to capture
your creative spirit when decorating your home or planning your next
festive get-together:

1. Fabulous fall decor with versatility and value

Start by decorating your table with exceptionally affordable wool felt.
Available in plenty of mix-and-match autumn colors, felt can be sewn,
glued, colored or cut—the sky is the limit.

One easy option that provides a beautiful visual presentation is to cut out
shapes on a felt cloth. For example, draw scattered maple leaves all over
two different colors of felt and cut out the pieces. Layer the two felt squares
together on your table for a windblown, just-fallen look.

What to do with the felt leaves you just cut out? Create a harvest-themed
wreath with a classic yet contemporary look. Decorate an18-inch
grapevine wreath with miniature lights, felt leaves and any other favorite
fall items you have around your house or yard.

2. Classic adornments with surprising details

Need a great fall centerpiece? Rethink the classic pumpkin and try
decorating with unique embellishments. For a beautiful fall-themed
pumpkin, choose gold-toned wire and bend to create fun leaves and vines,
attaching to the pumpkin’s top. If you’re looking for a Halloween theme,
decorate the face of the pumpkin with masks and feathers to create
different characters like a witch, owl or masquerader.

One way to save money and create a cherished piece of decor you can
use year after year is to decorate a reusable pumpkin.

3. Fall food made fantastically fun

Food is a must at any fall gathering. When the temperature cools, many of
us are turning on our ovens to bake delightful must-taste treats. Rich and
decadent brownies are tantalizing no matter what, but how about taking
them a step further? Serve them kabob-style
with marshmallows, fruit and a drizzle of icing
to make them irresistible. Arrange on a tray for
a beautiful presentation and watch them
disappear in minutes.

If you’re looking for a dessert with a theme,
use uniquely shaped silicone baking pans. Try
baking brownies in a jack-o’-lantern muffin pan.
After they cool, pop them out, turn over and
decorate their faces.

4. Double your fun with homemade

costumes

If a costume party is in your future, you’ll need
something fun that stands out. The homemade
costume is officially back and allows your
creativity to shine. Brainstorm with your child
to figure out what you both want to be for
Halloween and then hit up a craft store to get the
necessary supplies. What’s the newest trend for
costumes? Two-in-one options that have the ability
to quickly convert from one character to the next.

For example, a sparkling dress can serve as the
base for both an astronaut and a robot. With
simple accessories and removable changes, your
little girl can attend one party as a robot and
then zoom off to another as an astronaut. Plus
this is a fun alternative to traditional girls’
costumes without losing the glitz. Reversible
options also work for double-duty costumes. For
example, try keeping one side of a cape black so
you can be a witch and the other side gold. Add
a feathered boa and you can become a queen in
an instant. EK