I feel like once October arrives the holiday train begins barreling down the track, barely stopping at each station! Three celebrations before the New Year (so actually four!) squeezed into a short amount of time! And even though I love Christmas decorating as much as Halloween, it makes me sad that Thanksgiving sort of gets sidelined! Sandwiched between the others it just seems like it gets a little less glory and attention…but I still love to add some simple decor to my home that lets me hang on to fall a little bit longer! But since Thanksgiving is so close to the big hoopla of Christmas preparations I really try to keep it minimal and, if at all possible, try to re-purpose some of my Halloween pumpkins and gourds. I’m not yet ready to put out the jingle bells…however I have to admit I’ve already played my Christmas instrumental playlist (I’ll hold off on Bing Crosby until closer to December!) So until it’s an acceptable time to really get Christmas on, I want to share my simple transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving…using little more than paper and string!
simple, natural…fall!
i often use lots of paper when i decorate! it’s easy to find, cheap, and can be turned into so many many things! i’m not just talking sheets of paper…there’s now wonderful wrapping paper, designer poster board, tissue paper, craft bags and boxes, and die-cut shapes in almost anything you desire! and these are what i’m using this year for my Thanksgiving decor (and maybe some future inspiration for place cards & favors!) i picked up these die-cut leaves to make a simple change to my mantels…
with a paper punch and gold wire i can add some “falling leaves” to a purchased tiny garland…
i used little snips of wire to make a hook & simply hang the paper leaves on the string!
and my spooky lace garland gets a subtle change by removing the black twine and replacing it with leaves tied with jute…
i love it when i can make really easy alterations…and i get to enjoy the fabric garland a little bit longer!
…and a quick re-do on the chalkboard wall over the mantle and i’m ready to be thankful!
one of my favorite finds this fall are these cherry wood leaves from Alice-Louise Press… i just adore them!
i love the natural wood grain…and not wanting to pierce them i just tied them with twine to hang!
easy falling leaves…
i love the contrast in the bright window…
and the final paper creation…it’s SO easy to make your own banners from the computer! all you need is some card stock to print off any message you desire. i used left-over paper banner flags as a template. i just traced with a pencil the shape around my letters and cut them out! using an old frame to replace my spooky lady from Halloween, i strung up my Thanksgiving message and now have an inexpensive and EASY replacement ’til it’s time for the tree!
so give thanks for paper this season–and make something simple…