Jenna Chapman
accent@suunews.com
Labor Day has passed, so it’s time to put away all your summer whites and dream of cooler days and golden leaves. If you’re like me, then your Pinterest is flooded with fall bucket lists. While it may still be too early to drink hot chocolate by a fire and visit a pumpkin patch, it is the perfect time to start decorating your apartment! With some inspiration from my friend, The Crafty Nurse, I went to Joann to find all of the Blooming Fall supplies are 50 percent off! With the discount, this craft is less than $15.
Things you’ll need:
- Grapevine wreath (I chose the 12 inch round)
- One bush of fall leaves
- One bunch of an accent color (I chose purple berries)
- Acorns and pine cones
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- String
- Paper or paper towels
Step 1: Go on a walk around campus looking for acorns and pinecones. I found my pine cones on the ground by the general classes building. There is a lovely oak tree in front of the engineering building that is dropping its acorns now. It’s easiest to pull the acorns off the lower branches of the tree, but if you can’t find any you can look on the ground for an acorn and a hat that fits. If your acorns are still wearing their hats, give them a day to dry a bit and gently remove them and use either hot glue or super glue to reattach them permanently.
If you are unable to find acorns and pine cones, fake acorns can be purchased at Joann among other decor that can easily be substituted for pine cones.
Step 2: Separate your decor by color. When breaking down the bush of leaves and bundle of accent decor, use the scissors to cut through the plastic and then bend the inner wire back and forth until it breaks. Some leaves I simply plucked off of the bush. In the end, I had a large pile of red leaves and two small piles of yellow leaves and purple berries.
Step 3: Start with the largest pile of leaves. I started at one point of the wreath and began covering the ends of my red leaf bundles in hot glue and sliding them into the wreath. Make sure that they will not go anywhere when our Southern Utah winds pick up by pulling on them when the glue dries. As you go, be sure to stand above your project and/or picking it up and holding it against a wall to make sure there are no empty or awkward spots.
Step 4: When you have finished with the largest pile, move on to the next largest and spread that color evenly throughout the wreath. When adding difficult pieces to the wreath, use your string to tie them on. I tie one knot, cover it in hot glue, and then tie a second knot and hold it tight until it dries. Continue in this manner until only the acorns and pine cones are left.
Step 5: Hold up the wreath again and check for any knots that are visible. Make sure you trim the ends of the string and either glue a pine cone over these or bend and glue a leaf to hide it. Space the pine cones out evenly and use plenty of glue to make sure they will stay. I highly recommend gluing them to the grapevine wreath and not to leaves or other decor on it for strength. This may mean it will be slightly hidden, but that is OK! Lastly, randomly place the acorns and glue.
When you create your own wreath, feel free to email me pictures or tag SUU News on social media! We would love to see and share your creations.
