I really wanted to participate in the Autumn talent scouting contest over at Whisperwood Cottage, but I didn't really have very many Fall decorations.
So I came up with 6 fun projects for under $6 a piece!
The first project is this big, fun "Pumpkins Apples Hayrides" sign. Believe it or not, this baby was FREE! I already had the paint and paintbrushes on hand from other projects, and the board/ cabinet door/ not sure what it is... was Free at a yard sale! I really loved the frame and the grooves in it, and I knew right when I saw it that I wanted to make a sign out of it.
{Update: Tutorial Here}
I actually have a tutorial in the works for this sign including a free copy of the design if anyone is interested in making it. I will be posting it soon.
{Update: Tutorial Here}
I have also had a few people ask for a tutorial of how I paint/distress wood to make it look like it is really old {like my lamp project here}. I love it when it looks like it has layers and layers of worn paint! That will be included in the sign tutorial as well.
My second Autumn decor idea was {of course-- I love them!} one of my vintage book page pinwheel banners. This time, I made it out of a book I already had in my stash with a really great patina, which I thought was perfect for fall decor {I just remembered that the guy gave this book to me for free because it was "ruined" haha...}. Did you know that a lot of the books that were published during WWII here in the United States have this patina? I heard that the quality of paper had something to do with the ration on paper at the time.
I already had all of these supplies on hand so this project was free for me as well. But, you can pick up books like this at thrift stores for a couple of dollars if you keep an eye out. So, if you are looking to make a banner with a lot of character and charm, you can find one of those fun WWII era books with a great patina and follow my tutorial here.
My third project was two of these vintage napkin pennant banners {tutorial here}. I made one out of a set of beautiful vintage white cut work napkins I found for $1 at a thrift store. The other one, I made out of another set of vintage napkins that I found at the same thrift store, for $1, with cute embroidered Autumn-colored flowers. The seam binding cost $1.88 a piece which put the project's total cost at $5.76. I tea dyed the seam binding for the embroidered napkins and it matched perfectly with the aged color of the napkins.
Here are a few pictures of my dining room in all of its Autumn glory :). I replaced some of the more summer-colored things with items that had more of a fall feel including the basket, pretzel tin, gourds, and my last three projects.
Linking up:
Kathy A
Loved your projects. I wish you could send a loaf of that beautiful bread out over the net, too! I just finished 175 burlap placemats for my daughter's 9/14 wedding! 12" wide, edges overlocked from Amazon. Went quickly after I figured out how to speed up the process of fringing the ends. Spent a bit more for higher quality stuff--very little smell and shedding! Am planning some table runners with tassels made from the threads I pulled to make the placemat fringe; not wasting a thing here!
Tanya Payzant
Just came across this post on Pinterest today. Such great ideas, Kristen. I LOVE them all. I'm going to try my hand at the banners. Thank you! 🙂
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence
I shared this today on my facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/BeyondThePicketFenceEtsyShopAndBlog
Katie Sue
I just found your site through sweetsomethingdesign. I love your pumpkin, apple and hayride sign. I have had a restful evening making one out of an oops board, so it will be free.
Thank you for such a cute craft.
Katie
Lisa
Kristen I just love your sign! Do you mind if I include it on my Top 10 Fall Decor ideas this week?
Ami Allison
GORGEOUS!!! I love this. Pinning this on my Fall board. Thanks for sharing. I would love to have you stop by at AliLily- Ami
Ami Allison
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Kim Burns
I love Fall and can't wait to make this sign! Thanks for sharing your creativity:)
Becca @ The Sassy Penguin
I can't wait for this tutorial! I am in love with this sign and I plan to try to make one of my own this weekend!
Megan {Splendid Design}
As soon as I saw the sign on Pinterest I had to come over and check it out! I can't wait for the tutorial.
Megan
Laurel Stephens
Your fall projects are ALL OVER Pinterest! Everyone is enchanted with them, as am I. No pressure or anything 🙂 but I can't wait to see how you made your beautiful Autumn sign because I WANT one, too!! Of course little Ella's first birthday must be savored fully before you turn to writing your how-to, but I am so looking forward to another great Ella Claire tutorial!
Custom Comforts
Love your fall ideas and looking forward to your tutorial. Came over from Brenda's and she is right ~ what a truly lovely daughter, home, and blog you have.
Cindy
Danette Dillon
Just found your blog through pinterest. I'm in love! I'm doing the pinwheel garland tonight. Love. Love. Love!
~Danette
http://www.danettedillon.com
Sarah
I just always love your projects! I found your blog recently and have been hooked ever since! You are very good at vignetting as well. I can't wait to see more on the sign, I just love it. I'm curious, are those pumpkins and gourds real or fake? They look awesome! Sorry for the random load of comments, haha. 🙂
Katie Olthoff
The vignette and photography is gorgeous!!! Great job!