Things You'll Need:
- Pine cones
- Pine needles
- Acorns
- Silk leaves
- Dried flowers
- Silk flowers
- Artificial grapes/berries
- Gourds
- Miniature pumpkins
- Wreath base
- Cornucopia
- Basket
- Swag base
- Straw brooms
- Raffia
- Ribbon
- Glue gun
- Clear glue sticks
- Bag of moss
- Craft scissors
- Craft wire
- Foam brick
- Wreath hanger
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Step 1
Gather together the necessary supplies for your craft projects. Place the supplies on a medium to large surface. Load the glue gun with a clear glue stick and plug it in. For safety reasons, place the glue gun on a glass plate or pan in case it should tip over.
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Step 2
Select the base you will be using to create the fall craft. Grapevines, twigs and willows make excellent bases for fall wreath designs using seasonal dried or silk flowers and fall leaves. For centerpieces or floral arrangements, any style of basket made of wood, reed, rattan or cane will highlight and complement the fall colors. Cornucopias come in different sizes and are usually made from woven rattan. Additional fall crafts can include miniature to medium-sized straw brooms decorated with fall-related items, ribbons and raffia, and dried floral or herb swags.
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Step 3
Begin preparing the selected base for wreaths by wrapping the base with a seasonal-colored ribbon for contrast. Depending on the type of wreath base being decorated, attach dried and silk flowers and fall leaves by using either craft wire to attach the items to the ribs of the base, or hot glue the items directly to the base. In some cases, floral picks can be used to attach items, but these are usually needed when working with Styrofoam bases. Continue to add flowers, greenery, leaves, berries, artificial fruit and vegetables along with unique fall type ornaments, if applicable. Finish the wreath by adding small bows that are hot glued around the wreath base for additional color.
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Step 4
Start creating a floral arrangement by first inserting and fitting the foam brick inside of the basket. Cut or shave the foam brick, if necessary, in order to make it fit properly. Begin inserting dried or silk flowers into the foam block. If you have dried any of your own garden flowers, creating a natural dried flower basket would be an ideal fall craft even if the flowers are spring and summer varieties. Highlight your dried flowers with additional varieties of purchased dried flowers or stemmed plants such as wheat, boxwood, sweet annie or avena to add height or color contrast to the arrangement. When all of the flowers and greenery have been arranged within the basket, take the moss and cover any exposed areas of the foam block and any gaps or openings between the inside of the basket and the foam.
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Step 5
Fill the cornucopia horn with a thin layer of moss and begin placing the artificial fruits and vegetables or the natural items consisting of small pumpkins, gourds, squash and Indian corn. A mixture of both artificial and natural can be used inside of the cornucopia. Place the items so they fit securely inside the horn. Small dollops of hot glue can be used to attach the items securely to the inside of the horn. Hot glue can also be used to attach the items to the moss to help keep the items from slipping. Insert pine needles and place pine cones and acorns throughout the cornucopia for effect. Use hot glue to attach these items.
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Step 6
Decorate small to medium-sized straw brooms with ribbons and seasonal flowers, or decorate them with Indian corn and a variety of colorful fall leaves. Some brooms are ready-made with seasonal fragrances such as cinnamon or pine, and an unscented broom can be sprayed with any favorite scent. Brooms can be used for interior decoration by hanging them on doors.
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Step 7
Floral and herb swags are easily made by holding a variety of flowers, greenery, stems or herbs together and securing the stems with a piece of craft wire. Place the wire approximately 3 to 4 inches from the end of the stems. Twist the wire tight enough so that it holds the items securely, but not so tight that it breaks the stems. Repeat the above steps so that you have two separate bunches of flowers or herbs. Place one set of stems on the work table so the flowers are facing to the left and place the other set of stems so the flowers are facing right. Place one set of flower stems beneath the other set approximately 5 to 6 inches from the bottom of the stems and attach the two ends of each set of flower stems together with craft wire. The swag should look like an arch. Cut a piece of ribbon that will be long enough to cover the exposed wire and with enough left over to create a loop. After covering the wire, tie the ribbon in a tight knot close to the stems and then tie the two loose ends of the ribbon into a loop. The loop can be used to hang the swag in various locations throughout the home. Use hot glue to cover any exposed stem area with loose flowers or herbs.
