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FALL CRAFTING

Autumn's coming; leaves will fall.
Time to make a cornhusk doll.
Let's arrange some dried wildflowers
To spend some happy crafting hours.
Kids paint cones and gather gourds
Or build collages on driftwood boards.
Autumn crafts are fun to make,
So catch the kids and take a break!

AUTUMN LEAFY WRAPPING PAPER

Materials:

several freshly fallen leaves (or pick them off the trees)

brown grocery bags
scissors
acrylic paints in several bright autumn colors
several paper plates
craft sponges

Instructions:

Allow the leaves to dry overnight.

Cut the grocery bags open, so they lay flat.

Pour about a tablespoon of each paint color onto a paper plate.

Dip craft sponges into paints, and apply paint to the veiny backsides of your leaves.

Press leaves onto underside (non-printed side) of flattened grocery bags to decorate.

Allow brown paper to dry completely before using as gift wrap.

CORN HUSK DOLLS

Materials:

Dried corn husks
Yarn or string
Small buttons
Craft glue

Instructions:

Stack several corn husks atop one another. Fold in half, lengthwise.

Using string, bind packet together to form a head at one end.

Pull a piece from each end to form arms, and bind remaining pieces with another piece of yarn to form the bodice.

Glue tiny buttons for eyes. Add yarn for hair, if desired.

If you are particularly crafty, you can fashion clothing from small fabric scraps. Wide ribbons also make easy garments.

HARVEST TREASURE BOX

Materials:

empty gift box with lid (tiny jewelry box, a flat shirt box, or even a shoe box)
autumn print fabric
fall stickers (or clip-art or magazine cut-outs)
craft glue
rubber cement
scissors
pretty gift bow

Instructions:

Line the inside of the box with fabric. Tuck the selvages (raw edges) under before gluing.

Decorate the outside of the box with stickers or pictures. Use rubber cement to fasten items on the outside of the box.

Your original creation will be ideal for storing treasures or presenting a gift to someone special. Top it off with the pretty bow!

LEAF ETCHINGS

Materials:

fallen leaves in a variety of shapes and sizes
unwrapped crayon pieces
light-colored construction paper or plain newsprint

Instructions:

Allow leaves to dry somewhat, but not to the point of becoming brittle.

Place paper on top of leaves on a table or flat surface.

Rub sides of crayons over paper to create etchings of leaves.

PINE CONE WREATH

Materials:

straw or foam wreath base
several dozen pine cones (the smaller, the better)
hot-melt glue

Instructions:

Hot-melt glue pine cones to cover entire wreath base.

Add a wire hanger to the back, or fasten with yarn to hang.

Tie on a pretty bow, if you wish.

This wreath can be adapted for Christmas as well. Just add a red bow, some small candy canes, or jingle bells!

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
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