Paper Scrap Pumpkins..DIY!

This is a fun little project to do in your spare time to dress up your home this Fall.  You can use things found around (and outside) the house.  Everything I used were scraps from my craftroom...a great way to recycle and reuse!  And just by changing the colors/patterns of your papers you can change the theme of your pumpkins.  So if you want creepy scary, bright & sassy or rustic and vintage...that's all up to you!  Have fun with it!

I went with more rustic colors and papers that fit in well with my home decor so I could move them from room to room if I wished.  

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SUPPLY LIST:

Empty Toilet paper or Papertowel rolls (OR) rolled construction/craft paper 

Strips of scrapbook paper or other papers 

(use a paper with a good weight)

Glue for paper (I use Scotch 3M Quick Adhesive)

Embellishments or accessories of your choice

Tree bark, thick sticks, or some other item for the stem

If you are squeamish about using toilet paper rolls for any reason just use a paper-towel roll or create a tube roll with thick construction paper.  I don't have any issues with using toilet paper rolls from my bathroom...my son's however, ummmm NO....lol!

Cut a "trial" strip of paper to see how long you want each for your pumpkins.  If you want a more squat pumpkin then make the strips longer, for a taller/thinner pumpkin cut them shorter.

I made two different sizes of pumpkins...for the smaller one I cut about 1/3 off the toilet paper roll.

I used the whole roll for the larger pumpkin.  I wrapped both rolls with coordinating paper so that it looks nicely through the strips of paper.

All my papers were from an older My Minds Eye line...I used a mix of Halloween papers and just regular everyday patterns that fit my scheme.  Because I used two patterns per pumpkin I spaced the strips out as I worked and then filled in varying the pattern so it was even around the pumpkin.  When you use a thicker paper it holds the "curve" of the pumpkin better than a lighter weighted paper will.

I cut a circle of paper for the bottom of each pumpkin and glued it once I was done adding all my strips.  This gives the pumpkin a nice base to stand on evenly when you are finished.

Then you add your decorations as you see fit.  I got sticks and thick bark pieces from my woods for my stems...I liked the more rustic look.  And I used burlap and tulle for the "leaves".  The toilet paper roll give you a nice area to add you elements to...I stuffed the bottom of the roll with tissue paper and then added the stem and burlap/tulle to the top so it didn't sink.

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I love the way they turned out & they cost me a total sum of $0.00...can't beat that!!

Also a fun project to make with your kids....pre-cut the strips of paper and let them have fun with it!

Happy Scrappy Fall!!

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Recycled Fall Wreath DIY!

Its Fall Y'all!!

If you've been into any of your local craft stores you have probably seen or drooled over some of the beautiful fall wreaths hanging in the stores.  I know I have at least...but at $80+ its a bit much for me to spend.  And I'm always eyeballing things to see if its something I can easily make.  Sometimes its not worth the trouble and products you have to buy but I at least give it a thought.

And I knew I could make a fall wreath easily...I made this wreath in under 40 mins for under $15 on my kitchen counter with some new supplies and some that I already had on hand.  I used an old wreath that I had that was falling apart and I snipped out some pieces and blooms that I liked.

Wreath Recycling I like to call it!

And this is what I came up with...it will hang over my sink on my triple windows.

The grapevine wreath frame I already had as part of a "great buy" I got a year ago at JoAnns but you can buy them in different sizes and styles for under $12 with a coupon maybe even cheaper. Check around your stores and see what you can get.

I like to work in my kitchen...I have lots of counters and I can spread out...I like to be messy and lay everything out so I can see it.  Plus my studio was kinda in a mess...I was working on a papercraft project that you can see HERE...so there was no room LOL.

New Supplies I Bought:  2 Hydrangea Stems & 2 Sunflower Stems at 50% off plus a 25% coupon so it was a great price for both. Price was $12 for all 4.

What I Had On Hand:  floral wire, grapevine wreath, twine, 1 fall leaf garland, flowers from old wreath, and ribbon

RECYCLE TIP:  take apart old wreathes, bouquets or candle rings and take the parts that you want out of it..I save all these things in a large rubbermaid bin because I KNOW I will eventually use the bits & pieces..I KNOW IT :) It saves you when you want to do projects like this big time and its RECYCLING which we all know is a good thing!  Even thrift stores or yard sales are a good source for faux florals for cheap...I saw a huge candle ring floral arrangement at my thrift store for only $8 and it probably had $50 worth of flowers in it.  Or use dried flowers from your garden...I dry my hydrangeas every year in my garage and use them around the house but the ones I had clipped weren't quite ready so I resorted to these faux blooms this time.

I cut all my stems and garland into usable pieces and start tucking them into the wreath.

I like to move things around till I get them where they look best including the ribbon.

Then I flip the wreath over...very carefully...and start securing each of the stems to the back of the wreath. (pic is from phone sorry)

I wrap my floral wire around the stems very tightly and then secure them to the wreath frame the best that I can including my ribbon bow that I made myself with the Large Bow Easy.

I use wired ribbon for wreathes as its easy to ripple it and put it where you need it in a wreath...keeps its shape nicely too.

Once you have secured everything flip it back over and adjust as needed.

Then I use twine to add a hanger to the back that I can easily slip into my window seal to hang.

I find it extremely hard to take pics of things on windows...but I got a new Canon Rebel T51 from my hubby (thanks hubby) and I will be learning in my classes how to do this better.

But for now this is what I have for you...bear with me :)

The wreath hangs over my sink for fall...I don't like too much on my windows because it looks into the backyard and woods and I hate to spoil the view with lots of clutter.

And that's how easy it is....don't spend a ton of money on supplies...sniff around your supplies and garden and craft stuffs and pull it all together.  RECYCLE something!

Fall is sneaking into my decor daily...what is your favorite fall decor item in your home?
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I'm entering this into these linky parties:

No Minimalist Here
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Get Your DIY On! (fall wreaths) 
Savvy Southern Style
A Bowl Full of Lemons
The DIY Dreamer