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15 Seriously Adorable And Inexpensive Fall Crafts For Kids

by Amber King
written by Amber King

Cool weather, leaf blowers, shorter days—it can only mean one thing. It’s time for fall crafting! Crafting is fun all year-round, but there’s something about this season that makes kids crafts so much cuter. There are so many cute themes and color schemes. Crafts are great for when kids are cooped up inside, and you don’t need a big budget to pull off some of the best fall projects. A lot of your materials (like leaves, for example) are completely free. 

We looked around and found the cutest inexpensive fall crafts for your tribe of littles to try out this season. Let’s get crafty!

1. Leaf Printed Autumn Banner

This fall kids’ craft is fun for all your littles, and it has the added benefit of being great fall decoration for your home. You’ll need paint, some twine, and cardstock, but you can probably find everything else lying around your house. Let your kids search the yard their favorite leaves and get creative with fall colors. You might need to help string it all together into a festive fall banner, but your kids will be proud to see their work draped over the fireplace or hanging against the wall.

Happiness is Homemade has the full instructions. 

2. Cup Spiders

Aren’t these creepy crawlies so cute?! Perfect for Halloween, this kids craft is easy enough for young kids but also interesting enough for more advanced crafters. You can make it more involved by letting kids paint their own cups with their favorite designs. This sample spider uses googly eyes, but if you don’t have any of those, you can use just about anything else in their place. Let your kids paint their own spider faces, use stickers, or cut out shapes with construction paper. The pipe cleaner legs are great because they’re flexible, and your kids can choose how they want their spiders to look.

You’ll find a full set of instructions with One Little Project.

3. Leaf Turkey

All you need for this cute fall craft is a yard (or park or sidewalk) full of leaves and some construction paper scraps. Let your kids scour the leaf pile for the brightest leaves they can find. Encourage them to find a few of each fall color, and if there are different shapes, that’s even better. After your outdoor expedition, you can head inside for some fun craft time. For young kids, put the turkey together ahead of time. But older kids are capable of building their own turkeys if you give them the pre-cut pieces. Let the leaves be the feathers and see how your kids imagine their festive fall turkeys. 

Crafty Morning has great samples to check out.

4. Paper Scarecrow

The best kids crafts are the ones you can hang up around the home to display with pride. These paper scarecrows can go on the fridge, the mantle, and pretty much anywhere that needs a little bit of festive decoration. Your kids can completely personalize their happy little scarecrows by using their favorite colors and even different types of “hair.” If your kids are okay with scissors, let them cut out their own hats and facial features. If that’s a bit beyond their skills, they’ll still have fun attaching pre-cut pieces to their accordion-style faces.

Meaningful Mama did it, and it was a big hit.

5. Fall Leaf Potato Stamping

You can never go wrong with a classic potato stamp. It takes only a few minutes to set up, and you can let even the littlest artists go to town without too much assistance on your end. Try to pick out potatoes that are long and skinny to get a good leaf shape and give little hands something to hold on to. You can draw a tree and let your kids add the leaves, or simply let them cover a page with their pretty multi-colored stamps. Don’t forget to hang them up to show off their good work!

How Wee Learn has a quick tutorial for potato stamping newbies. 

6. Leaf Printing

Here’s another fall kids’ craft you can set up in a matter of minutes. Leaf rubbings are easy to do, and there’s even the opportunity to teach kids about the structure of leaves and all the different shapes and sizes. Half the fun will be getting outside to find leaves from different kinds of trees. If you don’t have a yard with trees, take a trip to the park or a public green space. The more leaves, the better! 

Learn more about leaf rubbing with First Palette.

7. Q-Tip Fall Trees

You only need three things for this fun fall craft: paper, paint, and a few q-tips. If your kids are little, paint them a quick tree trunk with a couple of sparse branches. If they’re older, they can probably handle that part on their own. The fun part of this craft is decorating those branches. The q-tips make great paint brushes to put down delicate little dots in different colors. If you want, sketch out a simple shape and have your kids fill in the shape with their painted leaf dots.

This teacher’s blog has some great examples. 

8. Marbled Leaves

You’ll want to lay down a few layers of newspaper or some other kind of protective covering before starting this painting craft, but to be honest, the mess is half the fun! Marbled leaves look so pretty, and the paint mixture is always fun to work with. You can cut out your own leaves from paper, or go outside and get the real things. You can make this craft as simple or as detailed as you want.

Learn the art of marbling with Typically Simple.

9. Fall Yarn Wrapping

If you’re looking for quick, no-mess fall craft for your littlest kiddos, this is it. Yarn wrapping is perfect for helping kids develop fine motor skills. Gather up your odds and ends of old yarn and cut out a few fall-themed shapes. Encourage kids to wrap the yarn in all different directions and use multiple colors if you can. The finished products end up looking pretty cute, and you could even turn them into magnets or bookmarks.

See how Paper And Glue did this fall craft here.

10. Handprint Spiders in Webs

This is one of my favorite fall-themed kids’ crafts. It’s great because it’s interesting for the kids to put together, it ends up looking super cute, and you don’t need a lot of supplies to make it happen. A big pair of googly eyes is always a good idea, but if you don’t have extra eyes floating around your craft closet, you can make your own out of cardboard paper or paint. To prepare the craft, all you have to do is punch some holes in the edges of a paper plate. The kids can get creative with the rest.

Check out these cute spiders with Mom Endeavors.

11. Paint Chip Monsters

Kids of all ages will have fun creating their own monsters with this simple craft idea. The best part is, it’s basically free to put together! Visit any home improvement store and pick as many paint chip samples as you’ll need. Think of green for Frankenstein, orange for pumpkins, purple for witches, and whatever other color strikes your interest. You’ll need to put a little work into cutting out different facial features before you let your kids get to building, but it’s all basic shapes. Older kids could even help with the cutting.

Liz on Call did this craft, and they turned out super cute!

12. Paper Bag Owls

If you have paper bags, there are literally countless different crafts you can do. It’s one of the most versatile crafting materials out there! A good one for fall is the paper bag owl. It’s a simple process of attaching eyes, wings, a beak, and whatever other feathery features your kids can think of. And when you’re done, you have a great little puppet for even more play time. 

See the art of paper bag crafting with Buggy and Buddy.

13. Sticky Fall Tree

Give your kids the opportunity to decorate the walls for fall with this super engaging craft. You’ll need a large sheet of contact paper, an old cereal box (or any other kind of thin cardboard or construction paper), and some fall-colored tissue paper. Kids will have fun decorating their barren trees with all the beautiful colors of fall, and you can leave up their creation for as long as it sticks. 

How Wee Learn talks about how to set it up.

14. Autumn Tree

There are so many fall crafts for kids that you can do with leaves. This simple tree craft doesn’t take too long, and there are hardly any supplies to gather or mess to clean up. You can use paint for your tree trunks, or make it simpler by using markers, crayons, or construction paper. Your kids can go forage for their favorite leaves and then glue them to their trees to celebrate the beauty of fall. The finished creations are perfect for fall decorations!

Crafts on Sea explains more about how to do this fun craft. 

15. Paper Roll Scarecrow

There’s nothing scary about these scarecrows—they’re actually really cute! Toilet paper and paper towel rolls are great for crafting, so you should get in the habit of saving them up. They’re free, and there’s so much you can do with them. For this scarecrow craft, you can use markers, paint, yarn, straw, or anything else you already have in the house. You’ll barely have to dip into your craft budget, and it’s a good way to use up material odds and ends. 

Make it up as you go or get inspiration from Still Playing School.

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CraftsDIY

8 Ways To Craft With Ribbon

by Guest Contributor
written by Guest Contributor

If you’re a fan of ribbon but want to learn more fun ways to craft with this versatile product, then read on. We’ll show you eight different ways to make fun crafts at home. There is a multitude of ways to repurpose this pliable fabric and it can be an endeavor to do with the whole family as well.

The more you push your imagination, the more creative ways you can use that ribbon. So read on for more ideas!

Ribbon Flowers

If you’ve got loads of leftover ribbon simply lying around, then go for that stockpile first. You can easily turn small ribbon scraps into adorable and very easy-to-make ribbon flowers for no additional cost. Once made, you can attach them to all sorts of items from headbands, to bags, to kitchen magnets. By simply folding the scraps over repeatedly and anchoring them in the middle with either glue or a sewn button, you can create colorful flower buttons for all sorts of occasions.

Ribbon Wreath

You can easily make ribbon wreaths with all kinds of different ribbon. You can create a lovely wreath perfect for winter and holiday decorations. By switching up the ribbons and flowers you can also create a spring or summer wreath as well. This is another craft that can be easily done by both children and adults alike, with easy assembly in an afternoon!

Ribbon Tassel Keychain

A tassel keychain made out of ribbon is a great project for using up all of your leftover bits of ribbon. This is the perfect craft so you don’t have to throw any ribbon away. You can attach the ribbon to a metal ring, and even get creative by adding beads or other textural elements to the design. These small but important features will most likely help you find your lost keys a whole lot quicker as well!

Ribbon Needlework

If you’re a fan of needlework, then take a stab at this variation. Use ribbon instead of string to create a stunning textured image such as a flower bouquet, a happy animal, or a worded message.

Ribbon Chandelier

If you’ve got an old lampshade that is on the verge of getting tossed, try recycling it into a fun new ribbon chandelier. These repurposed shades come out so pretty, you’ll end up wanting to definitely make more. They can be given as gifts also for such events as bridal showers, baby showers, anniversary presents and so much more!

Ribbon Sculpture

Feel free to go daring with your ribbon and use it in new ways. Try using it in a sculpture piece that incorporates other mediums as well such as paint, resin, or even something organic like real flowers. The ribbon can serve as an accent to your piece or be the focal point. Where your eye takes you, only you will know!

Sunglasses Storage And Display

If you’ve got a wide variety of sunglasses that you’ve been meaning to organize, consider making a playful display out of ribbon. Simply find a sturdy frame and weave your ribbon in geometric patterns. If you attach a piece of stylish, colorful fabric to the back portion of the frame, it will further accentuate your fun display. This will allow you to have storage but also have a new piece of artwork on display for everyone to admire.

Playful Pillows

Ribbons will add character to any humdrum pillow you have lying around the house. By simply opening up the seams you can add color and flair to any run-of-the-mill pillow. Try folding the ribbons over for a fun looped effect as well.

So take those spare pieces of ribbon you have laying around and get to crafting! Your new designs await you!

About the Author

Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She enjoys writing about events, travel, specializing in home goods, DIY crafts, and gifts decorating trends, but also covers developments in HR, business communication, recruiting, real estate, finance, law, and investing.

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spring crafts
CraftsDIYHoliday

12 Spring Crafts You Need To Make Right Now

by Mary Mulroney
written by Mary Mulroney

Spring and Easter will soon be here and you know what that means: craft time! It’s time to break out those craft boxes, head to the craft stores, and start making all the adorable Spring and Easter decorations you can. I can’t let a holiday pass me by without making something for my home. I am, however, a little obsessed with decorating and crafting so maybe I’m the only one that feels this way. If, by some shadow of a doubt, I’m not, check out these adorable spring crafts that you’ll love. I’ll probably see you at the craft store later buying all the supplies.

spring crafts

Source: Debbie-DebbieDoos.com

1. Spring Burlap Art

A piece of burlap, a stencil and some fabric paint is all you need to whip up this adorable and handmade piece of art this spring. The rustic look is perfect for your farmhouse or vintage style, and you can even use a frame you already own!

Find the easy tutorial at Debbie-DebbieDoos.com.

spring crafts

Source: ACultivatedNest.com

2. Button Art

This sweet craft is a perfect afternoon activity to do with your little ones, or for a solitary activity! The spring-colored buttons are overlapped and glued into an egg shape, atop a neutral background yardstick. Frame and enjoy!

We found this adorable idea at ACultivatedNest.com.

spring crafts

Source: YesterdayOnTuesday.com

3. Robin’s Egg Speckled Vase

Gorgeous robin’s egg blue is nearly synonymous with Spring! These mason jars have been transformed with the help of chalk paint and some strategic speckling, then wrapped in jute twin to give it that perfect post-winter feel. Fill with babies breath and enjoy!

See how simple this craft is at YesterdayOnTuesday.com.

Pages: 1 2 3 4

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DIY Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Wreath

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

A new month means a new wreath in my house (or should I say, on my front door!). I’m very obsessed that my neighbors know what holiday they should be celebrating, so I always make sure my choice of wreath reflects the new season. This time of year means I need a Valentine’s Day wreath, and I currently don’t own one. If you know me, you are aware I love making my own wreaths and this time I’m sharing my design for Valentine’s Day with you! This wreath is perfect for the entire month of February, not just the furst two weeks. So let’s get crafting!

 

Supplies

  • Heart-Shaped Wreath Form (I got mine at Joann’s for $3 with a 40% off coupon. They don’t sell these at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby!)
  • Yarn (I’m doing mine in 1 color but you could alternate or layer with multiple!)
  • Felt to make flowers (I bought 3 sheets in 3 separate colors)
  • Scissors
  • Craft or Hot Glue

Instructions:

This wreath is a yarn wreath, which means we are single-handedly going to be wrapping the wreath with our yarn. Here’s where I suggest you DON’T get a huge wreath, because I’ve done this before and it gets pretty tedious, continually wrapping, wrapping, wrapping. My wreath form is 12 inches and perfect for a yarn wreath. Glue a piece of uncut yarn (i.e., still on the roll) to the back of your wreath form, to hold it in place as you begin wrapping.

IMG_7380

Ok, so you can use hot glue or craft glue here, but I personally went for the craft glue. My glue gun was downstairs, and sometimes when you use yarn and felt products, I’ve seen that the hot glue has a tendency to peel off. Craft glue? Not so much. Leaving your yarn still on the roll, begin wrapping around the wreath. You can make 1 layer of pretty straight rows, or just wrap haphazardly on top of each other. It’s up to you! For this wreath, I did 1 even set of rows.

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Every few inches, lay down a small amount of glue to keep your wrapping in place. Sometimes, you yard will start to move around, and you want to keep it in place as you go, and ensure it will stay neat and tidy for years to come.

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The first part of your wreath takes the longest to wrap, because you are still getting your groove. This section took me about a half hour, but after that I was on a roll.

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When you’re done, your wreath will look nice and purdy, like this!

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Honestly, depending on how fancy you are, you could just leave the wreath like this. It has a nice texture and the color is adorable. I, however, wanted to add a little something something, so I decided to make my own felt flowers. They always dress up a wreath and are surprisingly simple. I made 3 styles.

1. Simple Rolled Flower

This is probably the easiest felt flower to make. Take an old CD or something circular in a similar style and trace on a piece of felt. Cut out the circle, and then cut a spiral into your circle. You can easily do this free hand:

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Then, from the outside end, begin rolling the felt until you form a flower. Seriously, this is SO easy.

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Somehow I didn’t take a picture of the final product so I had to zoom in on my final picture to show you what it should look like. I also dropped a fake pearl in for a little extra pizazz!

Screen Shot 2016-02-04 at 6.22.42 AM

2. Felt Rosette

This flower is made the exact same way as the simple rolled flower. However, instead of cutting out your circle and spiral with straight cuts, you are going to make them wavy to create the illusion of petals. DIY fail: I also didn’t take a picture of how to cut or the final product (the result of crafting with a toddler next to you), but here’s what it looks like on my wreath:

Screen Shot 2016-02-04 at 6.22.28 AM

3. Fluffy/Hydrangea Flower

I’ve never made this flower before but it was very easy. Cut a 1.5 inch strip of felt, the length of your entire sheet so it’s a long, skinny piece. Then glue down the middle and fold it in half (still long and skinny!), Then make small cuts, being careful not to cut the entire width of the strip! You can make them close together or further apart for a chunkier look.

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Then start rolling up until you have a size flower you want. You can easily snip off the remaining length if you want a small flower.

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Once you’re done, you can fluff out the flower to make it more full:

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Cute, right?

Ok, all that’s left is for you to glue your flowers to the wreath and you’re done! You can glue wherever you heart desires, from just a few florets to covering your entire wreath. I don’t have the patience to make 100 flowers so I just did half a dozen and on a wreath my sized, it’s perfect.

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Your final step is to hang your wreath, and you can do this by gluing ribbon to the back in two places to hang your heart upright, or just use some fabric or ribbon to hang one side of the heart. I chose the latter, because I think it looks non traditional and festive.

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I’m more than happy with how this came out, and it literally cost me less than $10 ($9.99, to be exact!). There’s nothing like crafting something with your own two hands! Check back with Life As Mama for an upcoming spring wreath!

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8 DIY Valentine’s Day Wreath Ideas

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

I’m always one to have a festive wreath on my door, even though I normally save the big decorating for the Winter holidays. A wreath is a super simple way to get in the season- no matter what time of year. It’s also a great way to try your hand at crafting! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Valentine’s Day wreaths that I think you’ll love too.

Source: LifeAsMama

1. Heart-Shaped Yarn Wrapped Wreath

Simple yet festive, this yarn wrapped heart wreath is perfect for V-Day! Pink yarn covers a styrofoam wreath form that is topped with handmade felt rosettes. So pretty!

Source: FynesDesigns.com

2. Heart Shaped Pom Pom Wreath

Jumping on the pom pom bandwagon? It seems so many crafts these days use these fluffy and adorable decorative pieces. While this wreath definitely involves some time  (have you ever MADE a pom pom before?), the result is the cutest heart wreath you ever did see. If you want to cut some corners, buy a pre-formed heart wreath at your local craft store instead of making your own. You can also probably find some pom poms if you don’t fancy them yourself.

Grab the full tutorial, including how to make quick pom poms over at FynesDesigns.com!

 

Source: DishBaby.blogspot.com

3. Conversation Heart Wreath

I can’t think of any other candy that signifies Valentine’s Day more than conversation hearts! A simple foam wreath form, some hot glue and a big bag of heart candy is all you need to make this adorable and sweet looking (and tasting) wreath. Good luck keeping everyone’s hands off it!

Check out DishBaby.blogspot.com for all the tips on making one of your very own.

Source: PartyWishesSvc.com

4. Ruffled Heart Wreath

Not for the faint of heart, this ruffled wreath is an easy enough concept. Tons of felt circles are hot glued to a styrofoam heart wreath form until it’s completely covered and looking positively gorgeous. You can do a solid color, ombre look or mix in the traditional pinks, reds, and whites that we all know and love about Valentine’s Day. No matter what, this wreath will take center stage on your door.

PartyWishesSvc.com has the full tutorial for this amazing and festive wreath.

Source: ShakenTogetherLife.com

5. Yarn Wrapped Valentine’s Day Wreath

Yarn wreaths have been around for a few years now, and it’s because they are so versatile. Choose a base color and then add whatever accessories you want. This simple Valentine’s Day version uses red and white twisted pipe cleaners and simple glitter, foam hearts. Don’t you love the understated, yet festive look?

Check out ShakenTogetherLife.com for the complete how-to on yarn wreaths!

Source: MakingHomeBase.com

6. Grapevine Valentine’s Wreath

This rustic Valentine’s wreath is perfect for your Fixer Upper-style home. The grapevine wreath does all the work, but the adorable bunting and doilies add some adorable charm.

You can find all the details for making your own grapevine wreath at MakingHomeBase.com.

Source: TaterTotsAndJello.com

7. Cupcake Liner Wreath

This miniature wreath packs a lot of punch. Using about 100 liners on an 8-inch wreath, this tiny wreath is the perfect addition to your Valentine’s day decor. Small and sweet!

Get over to TaterTotsAndJello.com for this tutorial, and tons more craft ideas from a mom of 4.

Source: EverythingEmilyGBlog.blogspot.com

8. Fabric-Wrapped Wreath

If you’re a beginner wreath maker, this is the perfect place to start. A simple styrofoam wreath is wrapped with fabric strips in the pattern of your choosing. I love this non-traditional Valentine’s fabric, that has heart but not typical pinks and reds. Top with a bow and you’re ready for Valentine’s Day!

We found this sweet wreath idea at EverythingEmilyGBlog.blogspot.com. Check her out for more lifestyle tips.

 

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10 Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas

by Amanda Foust
written by Amanda Foust

Teachers are amazing and deserve all the gratitude in the world, but sometimes special occasions, holidays or the end of the school year sneaks up on us, and we are empty handed! You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to show the teachers in your life that you care. Keep reading for some easy last minute teacher gifts you can whip up in a flash!

last minute teacher gifts

Source: SouthernStateofMindBlog.com

1. Summer Survival Kit

If you’re looking for an end of the year gift, you can stop right here. A beach towel, magazine and some sunscreen are just what your teacher needs! This inexpensive gift if a great way to say “have a great summer!”

Head to SouthernStateofMindBlog.com to see even more last minute gift ideas.

last minute teacher gifts

Source: OneGoodThingByJillee.com

2. Bagels & Cream Cheese

Why didn’t we think of this? While this gift of bagels and cream cheese won’t last long or have a permanent place on your teacher’s desk, it does solve the problem of a missed breakfast! All you need to do is take several bagels out of their original packaging, put in a cute bag with a ribbon and send with a tasty tub of cream cheese.

Check out OneGoodThingByJillee.com for 19 more easy peasy last minute teacher gift ideas!

last minute teacher gifts

Source: MamaCheaps.com

3. Wrapping Paper & Tape

Everyone can use wrapping paper, whether it’s the holidays or cute themed paper for the rest of the year. This is an easy last minute gift because you can pick up a roll of paper and tape at the dollar store and print out the tags at home for free!

Get the tag printable at MamaCheaps.com.

last minute teacher gifts

Source: SkipToMyLou.org

4. Totally Awesome Tote Bag

Everybody can use a tote bag! Whether it’s to cart book, groceries or serve as a gym bag, we bet the teachers in your life will appreciate one. Retailers like Target and Old Navy always have cute and inexpensive totes, especially at the end of the school year or you can just keep your eye out in the months leading up to June!

If you want this printable for yourself, head to SkipToMyLou.org.

last minute teacher gifts

Source: Sweetmetelmoments.blogspot.com

5. Homemade Cookies

You can never go wrong with sweets. Teachers deserve tasty treats after the long days leading up to the end of the school year! Print off this sign “Thanks For Making Me One Smart Cookie!” and add it to a batch of homemade cookies you can make with your children.

last minute teacher gifts

Source: Artsymama.com

6. “Super Teacher” DIY Gift

Artsy Momma has a great idea for an easy craft that’s not only encouraging but also contains a hidden candy bar that every “super teacher” deserves! Other than the candy bars, most of the necessary supplies should be around the house and can easily be put together last minute. Buy an extra candy bar for yourself to enjoy while you’re putting this DIY gift together the night before!last minute teacher gifts

Source: Landeelu.com

7. Target Gift Card

Target stores are open late (praise, Jesus!) I am 99.9% sure every single teacher enjoys target! And if the male teacher’s don’t, they probably have wives who do! This is a gift that will for sure bring a smile to a teacher’s face! Print off the gift card holder Landeelu.com to make it extra special!

last minute teacher gifts

Source: Downs Ups & Teacups

8. Flowers/Succulents

I was in need of a last minute teacher gift this year, and my sister at The Jefferson House totally came through! I called ahead and picked them up the night before! These adorable gifts can be made on your own or by your local flower shop! I picked succulents as they are typically more likely to live longer, but your child can pick out a special flower for his/her teacher! The jars can then be reused to hold pens/pencils/scissors etc.

last minute teacher gifts

Source: eighteen25.com

9. Hand Sanitizer or Soap

You can find hand sanitizer just about anywhere, and I don’t know a single teacher who couldn’t use sanitizer in BULK! I love the idea of adding the hand print and the “hands down you’re the best teacher around” quote to personalize the gift a bit. So creative and a total keepsake!

Get the printable at eighteen25.com

last minute teacher gifts

Source: designaddictmom.com

10. Lip Balm

There was a time last year when I had TEN gifts to purchase at the end of the school year between teachers, therapists, and bus drivers of my two kiddos. I didn’t have a ton of money for anything fancy, but I wanted each one to feel special. This “you’re the balm” gift is a great idea for someone who has a long list of recipients. You don’t have to purchase the Burts Bees brand. Any lip balm will do!

Tell us in the comments YOUR best last minute teacher gift ideas!

10 Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas

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CraftsDIYHoliday

DIY Upcycled Christmas Card Topiary

by Karly Wood
written by Karly Wood

When it comes to the holidays, there are so many things to look forward to: the food, music, decorations and of course– all the Christmas crafts! This festive time of year calls for all types of DIY projects and many times, you don’t need to take a $100 trip to the craft store to whip up a memorable craft.

This year, I decided to be more resourceful and put supplies that I already have to good use. While not everyone may have tons of craft accessories laying around, most of us do have a few year’s worth of Christmas cards at our disposal.

Instead of keeping piles of cards you’ll probably never look at again, why not make them into something useful? This year, try an Upcycled Christmas Card Topiary from Shutterfly Christmas Cards.

christmas card topiary

Make sure you head over to Shutterfly to see my full tutorial on how to put your old holiday cards to good use, by crafting your own upcycled topiary!

 

Many thanks to Shutterfly for the amazing opportunity to work with them on this project.

 

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15 Spooktacular Halloween Crafts For Kids

by Mary Mulroney
written by Mary Mulroney

Some of the best activities for kids to do are crafts. Not only are they entertained while making something, but they get to keep the finished result and show it off to all their friends and family. It helps develop fine motor skills, enhances their imagination, and, of course, lets them have some fun. With Halloween fast approaching, there are lots of spooktacular crafts for your kiddos to make. They’ll love making all the monsters, ghosts, witches, pumpkins, skeletons and so much more! Here are 12 great Halloween crafts for your kids to make this year.

ghosts-craft-for-preschooler

Source: thrivinghomeblog.com

1. Puffy Ghosts

These ghosts are not only really easy for a child to make, but they look really cool, too, because they’re three dimensional. They would also be inexpensive to make since cotton balls are cheap and come in such large quantities. Once they’re done gluing on all the cotton balls, you could hang these on walls, from the ceiling, or put them on the refrigerator so your child can show them off.

(Head over to Thriving Home for other fun kid crafts, family friendly recipes, parenting tips, and more).

Halloween-Countdown

Source: blogs.babycenter.com

2. Witch Halloween Countdown

There’s something about counting down to a special day or even that kids love. Your kids would love having this paper chain countdown to Halloween. This is so clever. I’ve always seen them for Christmas, but never for Halloween. This witch themed one is adorable and so perfect for the holiday. They’ll be so excited to make this so that every day they can cut off one link and get closer and closer to the big day.

(Check out BabyCenter Blog for pregnancy advice, parenting tips, kid activities and so much more).

halloween-craft

Source: thrivinghomeblog.com

3. Handprint Spiders

If you need an incredibly easy craft for a younger child, these handprint spiders are perfect. All you have to do is trace your child’s hand, cut them out, then glue them onto a black circle. Of course you can have your child help you with the cutting and gluing, and they’ll probably love putting the finishing touch of the spider’s eyes on. It doesn’t get much easier that this when it comes to crafts.

(Head over to Thriving Home for other fun kid crafts, family friendly recipes, parenting tips, and more).

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fall printables
CraftsDIYHoliday

12 Festive & Free Fall Printables

by Mary Mulroney
written by Mary Mulroney

If you’re looking to spruce up your home on a budget for fall, you’re in luck! It’s easy to add some style in the form of fall printables––that are free! Farmhouse, modern or traditional, there is a free printable that matches your decor and will make your home feel festive in no time.

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Source: thetomkatstudio.com

1. Fall Is Fabulous

There’s no better way to celebrate your love for fall than by declaring how fabulous fall is! It really is a beloved time of year that is difficult for anyone not to love. This printable is compete with the wonderful fall colors, pumpkins, fall leaves, and fall flowers. It would look great hanging on a wall or resting on your decorated mantle.

(Check out The Tomkat Studio for fabulous free printables, DIY projects, home decor inspiration and so much more).

Pumpkin-Spice-Free-Print

Source: thediaryofdaveswife.com

2. Pumpkin Spice And Everything Nice

Chalkboards and chalkboard art is very popular now a days. You see them everywhere from decorative pieces, to chalkboard walls and cabinets in homes and so much more. That means this particular fall chalkboard print would look great as part of your home decor this fall. This print crosses over into so many types of decor and will look beautiful in your home.

(If you’re looking for other fun free printables, as well as DIY projects, great recipes, and fun crafts, head over to The Diary of Daves Wife).

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Source: lollyjane.com

3. Happy Fall, Deer

Anything relating to deer or forest animals fits perfectly into any fall decor. Not to mention that antlers have become a huge rage in home decor over the past few years. If you want to make your home look more hip or up to date, antlers in your decor are a must. I love the play on words with the “Happy Fall, Deer,” which of course “deer” in this case is mean’t to be “dear” as in a term of endearment.

(Head over to Lolly Jane, a blog dedicated to making your home and space look more beautiful through DIY projects, holiday decor, and so much more).

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inexpensive fall decor
CraftsDIYHolidayTips & Ideas

10 Inexpensive Ways To Decorate Your Home For Fall

by Mary Mulroney
written by Mary Mulroney

Fall is the beginning of the holiday decorating in our homes, but it can get pretty expensive when you consider the cost of cute pumpkins and faux greenery. The good news is there are tons of tricks to getting a great fall style without a huge price tag. Check out our roundup of inexpensive fall decor that will get you in the mood for a nice fall walk and maybe a PSL, too.

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Source: passionatepennypincher.com

1. Use Popcorn Kernels As Decor

Fall means the beginning of Harvest and that means seeds for planting are a huge part of fall. Take this harvest time literally and use some popcorn kernels as decor in your home. Popcorn kernels are available at most grocery stores and are usually very inexpensive. You can drop them in a clear vase with a candle or simply put them in a bowl with some pumpkins on top. Either way, the rustic look of the kernels will really bring in the harvest and fall feel to your home and for cheap!

(If you’re looking for other great ways to decorate your home for less, head over to Passionate Penny Pincher).

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Source: ritamay-days.blogspot.com

2. Bring Pinecones In From The Outdoors

I love using pinecones as part of any fall or Christmas decor. They perfectly represent the beginning of the “dying” season where trees will start to lose their leaves and pinecones. Instead of buying pinecones, go out and find your own! They are actually a lot easier to find than you think, even if you don’t live near the mountains! Throw them in a bowl, put them in a clear vase, or make a garland out of them. No matter how you use them they’ll make your home look beautiful and festive.

(Check out My Days for other great DIY projects for your home as well as delicious recipes).

cinnamon-stick-candles-2

Source: homestoriesatoz.com

3. Wrap Cinnamon Sticks Around Candles

Cinnamon sticks are another item you can buy at the grocery store that are very inexpensive. Cinnamon is an iconic fall spice and using it as part of your decor not only looks pretty but makes your home smell delicious as well! A great way to use them in your home is to wrap them around some candles, then tie them with some raffia or twine to secure them. It’s a very simple and inexpensive way to make your home look and smell very festive for fall.

(Head over to Home Stories A to Z for other great DIY projects, home decor inspiration, craft ideas and more).

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