9/2/15

Autumn Heart Door Hanger

A couple of years ago I gathered a bunch of horse chestnuts. I think they're so beautiful and I just knew I'd think of something fun to do with them. I've enjoyed displaying them in jars with other fall items, while I waited. A few days ago, I finally had the perfect inspiration! I'm so excited to share this beautiful autumn heart project and I hope you love it as much as I do!

I started with a piece of corrugated cardboard cut into a heart. Then, using school glue, I glued dried green moss to one side letting it hang over the edges. After letting it dry for a while, I used scissors to cut off the overhanging moss. Then, using horse chestnuts, acorns, and hot glue, I created a simple design on the heart. I made sure to press each chestnut or acorn into the moss very firmly as I glued them. Lastly, I hot glued a bit of twine on the back for hanging it.
If you decide to use acorns, you might want to check out this post HERE to find out how to pre-treat them. Trust me, I know from experience, you won't want to skip this step.

I am displaying mine on a dresser top for now, but I might hang it on my front door eventually. I think it'd be a nice alternative to a wreath. Just be sure it's not on a door that's exposed to the elements because cardboard and moisture don't mix well.
I love that it's in the shape of a heart because I love the Fall season. It's almost here! Check out some of these other fantastic Fall crafts:
1 comment:

8/26/15

Acorn Toadstools

 
 My husband was driving up in the mountains the other day and saw some of the trees were beginning to change color! Fall is quickly approaching, and I'm excited because it's one of my favorite seasons to decorate for! I love using natural elements in my fall decorating and I love little details. This project is fun, simple, and so cute!

Supplies needed:
Acorn tops
Hot glue gun and glue
Twigs
Clippers
Cotton balls
Optional: paint

Glue a tuft of cotton into the inside of the acorn top. Into the center of that, glue your little twig use the clippers to shorten your twig if necessary. Once the glue is dry, blow on the cotton or gently brush it with your fingers so it flares out up and around the acorn mushroom top.

At this point, your mushroom could be finished if you want it to stay natural. You could also pull out some paints to decorate it. I plan to use inexpensive acrylic paints to make the mushroom/acorn top red then paint little white dots.

Once you're done with your mushroom, have fun decorating with it! Try making a mushroom "terrarium" in a little glass jar, or gather a few together with string in a tiny mushroom bouquet. I think little red mushrooms will look especially cute in a fairy garden, maybe even with a little glittery fairy dust. There are so many fun possibilities!
How will you use your acorn mushrooms?

For other fun acorn projects, check out these posts:
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4 comments:

8/19/15

After School Peanut Butter Bites

Growing up, my little brother and I could always count on one of two things happening after school. Either mom would be there to greet us and we'd enjoy a yummy snack while talking about our day, or if mom was gone, we'd find a note on the door, written in code to help us find where she'd hidden the house key. You know those fake rocks that hide your spare key? My mom was way more creative than that! She had us hunting through flower pots, or poking around in the barn. It was quite fun!

Most days, she was there when we arrived and without fail, there would be a snack of some kind for us. A regularly occurring snack was the infamous peanut butter logs. I say infamous because some of my older siblings used to receive these in their school lunches. This was rather embarrassing since my mom's traditional peanut butter logs do look rather like another kind of log if you're a young kid into silly potty humor. My mom caught on however and by the time my little brother and I (the two babies of the family) came along, peanut butter logs had been reserved for after school snacks.

Recently, I suddenly had a hankering for a peanut butter log. It's been years since I even thought about them, let alone ate them, so I gave my mom a call and she laughed when I asked her for the recipe for peanut butter logs.
This is my adaptation of my mom's peanut butter logs. I've made them gluten free for me, dressed them up a little, and given them a brand new name. I think they're are great! What do you think?

1/4 C natural, unsweetened peanut butter
2 tsp honey (or to taste)
2 TB oat flour (gluten free for me!)
Approx 1/8 C mixed chopped nuts, seeds, chocolate bits, etc (I used sunflower seeds, and dark chocolate bits, but use whatever you like.) 

Blend the peanut butter, honey and oat flour well. If more thickening is needed, add a little more oat flour. Roll into bite sized balls (or logs if you prefer). This yields about 6 bite-sized treats. Roll them around in the chopped nuts, seeds, or chocolate. You're done! Eat and enjoy!
8 comments: