Thursday, September 22, 2011

Fall Gatherings

This time of year, I like to start gathering things from the yard to use in my Fall decorating.
There are so many natural elements which can be used as vase or basket fillers, or any number of ways for Fall.
The things I collected from my yard this morning, are: pine cones and acorns, in different sizes, bark, twigs, moss and hickory nuts.



This is a pine cone and nut wreath I made many years ago and still use every year. This isn't a simple project, but one that's fun if you have a lot of dried material and a lot of time.
The ideas below are very quick and simple.


 If you don't have all these things in your yard, look around. Maybe a neighbor might have sweet gum balls, or perhaps there's a park near by with oak or pine trees.

Here are some of the ways I used my findings.


Tiny acorns are used as filler for a candle holder. I dried them in the oven at about 175 degrees for an hour or so,
to kill any bugs in them.



Here are pieces of bark with lichens on them.


Twigs are always good to have around. I cut these from a gardenia bush.


 Of course, I'd never leave candles burning unattended, especially with dried material in the lantern. 
 Keeping it simple, I left the pine cones, acorns, etc. in their natural state. I'll spray them later with a clear sealer.
The best part of collecting natural materials is... that everything is FREE!!

I'm sure y'all have lots of great ideas for using dried materials. I'd love to see them.
Let's join Barb @ Grits and Glamour for Keep It Simple Party

21 comments:

Toni said...

Simple and beautiful. That wreath is amazing. I am sure it was fun to put together.

It's been cooler here in my part of GA, but the pines are keeping their cones to themself! Love the wood with litchen.

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
The hues of natural elements are truly soft and comforting in your post! I especially enjoyed seeing the bark...the texture is amazing! Lovely Fall post!
Fondly,
Pat

Pat said...

Cozy, lovely photos. The natural look is beautiful for fall. I made one of those pine cone wreaths years ago too! I still love it.

Kelly said...

Loving all the natural elements you used. It's also alot more fun to create that way. It just flows with the surrounding of your house and doesn't look fake.

Grammy Goodwill said...

I like your natural look in decorating. That wreath is esp beautiful. Years ago I made one with my mother-in-law's help. I kept it for a long time before finally pitching it. You make me wish I had kept it.

Alycia Nichols said...

You have the patience of Job X ten to create that wreath!!! That seems like an enormous amount of work...but it paid off in the end for you! It's beautiful!!! I never thought of dryig acorns in the oven to kill off the critters. I wonder if that would work in the microwave, too? I might try a few just to see. Hope my house doesn't explode! ;-) Have a great weekend, Babs!

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I love the pine cone wreath.... it is wonderful to see how you used natural elements to create such beautiful effects! The candle-scape looks so precious with the gardenia branch and white candles...thanks for these beautiful fall inspirations. Have a wonderful weekend~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Meredith said...

oh I love it all! The house we just moved into has some beautiful Oak trees with those big beautiful acorns. I'm going to have to dry mine in the oven too!

Blondie's Journal said...

Thanks for all the wonderful tips...I never thought to dry my acorns out in the oven and I just brought a whole bowlful in!!

I love your wreath. I'd hang on to it forever!

XO,
Jane

Sarah said...

Babs, this is beautiful. I love natural elements in our home. Happy Fall! ~ Sarah

Richard Cottrell said...

You can not beat Mother Nature and simple. Really is fun and says fall in the best way. What a treat to see such natural beauty. Richard from My Old historic House.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Love the natural design elements in your decorating.You are so talented.Thanks for sharing your lovely home,JoAnn

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Hi Babs! Just saw your post over on Grits and Glamour. What great examples of how to use natural elements in our home decor. You did a great job!

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

I love, love, love that double width lantern. I have just come to realize how much I heart lanterns. I have never seen one that size before. Great ideas. I would love to make a wreath like that, too. Thank you so much for sharing your projects on my very first Keep It Simple Party. Blessings, Barb

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Love your lantern, and the acorns too!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I love using "natural" for Fall decorating -- and when it's FREE it's even better! Beautiful ideas and pics today!

LindyLouMac said...

I like your Autumnal wreath and your ideas, but I am still not quite ready to accept it is the change of season.

Savannah Granny said...

Babs, I love the free part. Love what you have done with the natural elements. Bob is always laughing at me for bringing lichen into the house. Just shakes his head.
Have a great weekend, Ginger

Donna said...

Beautiful ideas! On my next walk I'll be picking up some nuts and leaves and lichen.

Helen's Decor said...

Hi Babs! I'm your newest follower. I found you via Ginger's roosters! I was one of those who wasn't sure about roosters and yeah...now, I have 3 posts about them...at least! Hope you follow me back! Thanks!

red.neck chic said...

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad you came to visit me today (and my pillow doesn't offend! LOL)!

Babs - I'm having so much fun digging through your blog!!! You now have a new loyal follower!!!

;-D robelyn