| Issue #31, October 27, 2006 |
String It Along
Can you believe how fast this year has flown by? We were just planning our Fourth of July parties and now the calendar has already turned to late October. Halloween is approaching, to be followed ever so quickly by Thanksgiving and Christmas. Summer bulbs are starting to wilt from the fall chill and your mums, although beautiful in their full bloom are in need of some back-up. Colorful as they may be, they deserve to be framed and showcased. Leaves that are falling from the trees offer some temporary color, but quickly wither up and turn brown. Why not enhance the natural beauty of fall with some ornamental fall leaves or strands of fall-colored garland?
Fences offer a wonderful backdrop for a unique fall display. Purchase some fresh corn stalks, a bale of hay, some ripe orange pumpkins and gourds and artfully arrange your objects. Purchase some synthetic fall leaves at your local craft store in bold reds, bright oranges and vibrant yellows and strategically place them around your display for a fall masterpiece sure to enhance your home and attract the attention of passers-by. Fences are also great places to hang strands of colorful garland. Weave the garland through fence posts or carefully drape it along, much in the way you’d display holiday lights. The effect is quite dramatic on dark wooden fences.
Feeling crafty? Festive fall garland is easy to make and a fun project to do with the kids. You can either purchase a leaf stencil, fabric in a variety of fall colors, and some fishing line, and string your own leaves after cutting them out, or, you can simply purchase pre-cut leaves in an array of colors, punch a hole in each, or use a needle and fishing line, and string them along. I highly recommend adding a crystal bead in between each leaf cutout. Not only does this spread the leaves out, but when the sun hits the crystal, the effect is quite beautiful and dramatic. Take your garland inside your house and decorate staircases, fireplaces, and kitchen cabinets. Add a pumpkin candle to the room; the aroma combined with the colors will create the desired there’s-no-place-like-home effect that you want your family and guests to feel.
Plow and Hearth (www.plowandhearth.com) has a variety of garlands and wreaths to hang on your front door. They weave Polysilk maple and ivy leaves onto natural twigs that are treated to last for many autumns to come. One fall-leaf garland sells for around $25, and will fit the average doorframe. They also sell the garland in twin-packs so you can extend the look to your awning or windows. Much of the garland has matching wreaths available for purchase. While garland can dramatically frame your doorway, the wreaths in coordinating colors will make your display a real eye-catcher. Purchase a little extra garland to put around your mailbox and, under it, create a display of daisies and mums for a real country look.
Window boxes will be ready to be filled once again after the summer flowers fade away. String some ornamental garland in a mixture of orange, red and yellow, place some leaves on the area behind the window box, and plant some bright fall flowers for a beautiful display that will last you right through the end of November. Even after the pumpkins have been turned into pie, you’ll still have your colorful display to brighten up your home.
Fall leaves, wreaths and garland can be brought into your dining room and used to create a vibrant centerpiece for your table. Set the wreath on the center of the table, place a cornucopia filled with goodies or flowers in the center of the wreath (you can also opt for a candle), surround the display with handfuls of fall leaves lazily placed around the display, string the garland across the room, and voilá; you have added instant beauty to an ordinary room. Lightly spray a fall scent, or light an apple-pie-scented candle, to complete your décor. Guests will love the look and feel, and will appreciate the effort that you put into making your home so beautiful.
Who doesn’t like autumn? As the leaves fall off the trees and the winter chill beckons us, hang on to that homey feeling for just a bit longer with strands of beautiful garland that will truly enhance your home.
–Jessica Gold
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