Tag Archives: fall crafts

Quick Fall Craft: DIY Ribbon Pumpkin

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A few weeks ago, the weather gave us the shyest hint that fall was coming and immediately I became more cheerful and optimistic. Fall always makes me feel hopeful and relaxed, like I want to take things easier, slow down, and just savor the season.

Naturally, at the first sign of browning leaves, I went straight to the craft store to stock up on my fall-themed craft supplies. Of course, I go straight for the most colorful aisle in the store – the ribbon section. I’m frequently attracted to ribbons, but can never figure out how to craft with them in a way that doesn’t look tacky. I thought I’d try my luck at shaping the wired ribbon into a pumpkin, using a particularly shimmery one to add to my collection of glitter pumpkins (my favorite!).  Plus, using a glittered ribbon seemed like a safe way to incorporate glitter into my décor without getting it everywhere.

Glitter-Pumpkin-2

Lately, my busy days are making it hard for me to sit down and really enjoy a day of full crafting, so I have to supplement with smaller things I can do during a one-hour TV session. This craft took maybe 10 minutes from start to finish.

Supplies:

  • Sheer, wired-edge, 1- or 2-inch ribbon, like this or this (non-sheer)
  • Clear tape (not necessary, but makes it easier)
  • Craft/jewelry wire or a twist-tie
  • Cinnamon stick

Cut four equal sized strips from the ribbon, mine were about 14 inches. You’ll want to leave an additional 1 – 2 inches on the ends to wrap them. The longer the ribbon, the bigger the pumpkin. I recommend keeping them small, since the ribbon isn’t the sturdiest.

Ribbon-pumpkin-8

I used a “template pumpkin” to get a good size.

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Take the first two ribbons and cross them right at the middle. Temporarily tape them down to hold in place.

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Add the third ribbon, diagonally intersecting the other two. Then add the fifth ribbon, crossing diagonally the other way across the existing ribbons. Secure with tape.

Ribbon-pumpkin-5

This part is a little tricky. Slowly start twisting the open ends of the ribbon together, until they’re all bunched and have closed the top.

Ribbon-pumpkin-4

Secure by wrapping a wire around the ends.

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Sometimes the ribbons get pushed around in the process, but simply puff them out and help mold them into a pumpkin shape. Remove the tape (I forgot when I was photographing). As long as the pumpkin isn’t moved around too much, it should keep its shape just fine. Then add a cinnamon stick for a stem!

Glitter-Pumpkin-1

You can pick up a few different colors of ribbon to have an entire ribbon pumpkin patch!

Pin it here:

Ribbon-Pumpkin-Pinterest

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece

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My ideal craft is one that takes an episode of TV to watch. It’s usually something small and charming that brightens up a room or something unique that draws the eye. A big necessity to being a craft blogger with a full-time job is that I can’t spend a lot of time building or constructing things. It has to be something that helps me unwind.  I need to be able to partially zone out as I watch TV and get my mind off of the stress of the work day.

I still hope to one day build my own chair, coffee table, kitchen table and/or other piece of large furniture. But right now those types of projects aren’t conducive to  my Brooklyn apartment and work schedule.

Easy Thanksgiving Centerpiece

So instead I create pieces that are on the daintier side, like this small Thanksgiving centerpiece.

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece

From start to finish, the whole craft took about as long as an episode of New Girl. That show is so good.  It cracks me up.


Materials and Tools

  • 3″ foam half-sphere
  • 2 bunches of plastic flowers, your preference
  • wire cutters
  • 1 small clay pot (I painted mine with spray paint leftover form this project)
  • hot glue gun and hot glue

Step 1: Using the wire cutter, cut the flowers about an inch from the bud.

Step 2: Pierce the flowers into the foam, beginning on the bottom of the half-sphere. Place the flowers close together, making sure the buds cover any visible foam.

Step 3: Plug in the hot glue gun. Once the glue is warm, drag the glue across the rim of the clay pot, creating a complete circle. Then place the half-sphere on top of the glue to fasten it.

You’re all done! Don’t you think a few of these pots would look cute on a Thanksgiving table?

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? Ryan and I are flying to Portland to visit his family. I’m too excited.

quick fall craft: star studded pumpkin

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With everything that’s going on these days, I’m determined to keep the project time on crafts down to a minimum, or else I’ll have a bunch of half-finished crafts hanging around.

Studded Pumpkin-5

This star-studded pumpkin took just a few minutes to make! You can customize it any way you like, and as added bonus, it was practically free to make. The foam pumpkin was left over from last year (but originally $1 from a dollar store). The spray paint was left over from this project.  And the brads were free at a craft swap!

Studded Pumpkin-4

It was so refreshing to be able to wrap up a cute craft knowing I didn’t spend an entire afternoon and $50 on it, because we all know that can certainly happen.

You will need:
– Foam pumpkin (I bet a real one would work too!)
– spray paint (optional)
– scrapbooking brads/paper fasteners

If you want to change the original color of the foam pumpkin, spray it with two coats of spray paint. Waiting 15 minutes in between coats. I did the dishes during this time and felt like a big champ.

After you’ve placed your final coat of paint on the pumpkin, wait another 15 minutes or so for it to dry. You want the pumpkin to be dry to the touch.

Studded Pumpkin-1

Then get to poking! You can put as many or as few brads as you would like.

Studded Pumpkin-2

Go ahead and customize your pumpkins by switching up the spray paint color and the type of brads. I’d love to see what you come up with.

Studded Pumpkin

DIY Infinity/Loop scarf

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Let me just say I’m already in love with this project, and plan to make many more in the future. I used a tutorial that Amy did over at H is for Handmade. It was fast and easy and turned out great.

 

I used a sheer polyester fabric. This is Florida, I’m not desperate for warmth. I’ve been eying a similar scarf (floral and lightweight) over at Urban Outfitters. Hello, $28 (plus shipping.)

loop-scarf

Here’s the breakdown:

Price (material and notions): $9, but since I was unclear about the pattern, I bought double the fabric. It turns out, there’s a trick to doubling the length without cutting it. Just fold it and measure out half the length (see tutorial). Long story short, I can make a second scarf and gift it. Who wants one?

Time: It took about an hour, that’s with both the serger and sewing machine messing up.

Likelihood of use: Moderate. I like that it can go into the fall or spring seasons.