Fall Leaf Decor (Get It Done Already!)

We hope you've been enjoying our Get It Done Already! series.  It is so nice to finish a project that has been waiting for a looooong time. :)

I finished up two projects this week, both of them autumn-related.  The first one is this leaf garland:

I bought a package of artificial fall leaves from the Dollar Store....oh....about four years ago (yikes!).  I used some of the leaves right away, but the majority of the leaves remained in the package, stored away for "someday".  After seeing this beautiful leaf garland from Running With Scissors, I decided how to use those artificial leaves!  (She used real leaves and has instructions for preserving them on her blog post, if you're interested.) The garland is really easy and fast to make.  All you do is sew your leaves together in one long strip, overlapping them slightly as you sew.  I didn't try to plan out a pattern with the colors or anything, I just sewed them in the order I picked them up.  It took me about fifteen minutes to make; it would have taken much less time, but my bobbin ran out of thread and then my main spool of thread ran out, too!  I love how cheery it looks on my fireplace — a big impact for a little effort!

My next project uses the same fabric I used for my fall pillow covers:

These autumn leaf place mats were a cinch to make! I used two pieces of fabric plus some thin batting for each place mat.  I traced around an existing place mat for my template, adding 1/2 inch seam allowances on all sides.  After I pinned my fabric right sides together and put the batting on top, I stitched around the outside, leaving about 4 inches for turning.  I clipped the corners, turned the place mats right-side out, and pressed them.  The final step was to add two rows of top-stitching around the perimeter of the place mats (one inside the other, like a frame), and in the process I sewed closed the opening I'd left for turning.  Now that fabric is completely used up, and our kitchen table looks much more festive!

What projects have you been getting done recently?

Nursery Wall Art {Get it Done Already}

 

I'm hoping that Nan has inspired you all to Get it Done Already with those cute throw pillows. I was actually at a Walmart over the weekend and spied some similar fabric that she used for those pillows and then had to remind myself that I already have a looooong list of things I need to get done!

Top of my list: Nursery Wall Art

 

I've had a sign similar to this one pinned on my "Must Craft Soon" board for a long time now. This last summer I made strides by getting my hands on a uber cheap cabinet door and thought, "this is what I will use for my sign." Then the door sat. And sat. I got a cute shade of teal paint. And it sat. And sat.

 

Then the gal I borrowed the paint from needed it back {I'd had it since December} So I painted it really quick and as it sat drying I realized I needed some more supplies to finish the project and so it sat....and sat.

 

A few months {yep months} later I got the supplies that wanted and moved foreword with the lettering. I used the trusty Silhouette to cut out my letters. Goodness I love that thing! I'm one of those crafters that needs to get it done right the first time or I don't do it at all. Be sure to measure your board to figure out height & spacing of the letters. I also like to use scrap pieces of paper to get a little closer to those measurements and lay it out before I move forward with cutting.

 

After cutting out my letters {keep the stencil part of the paper!!!!} I created the layout like I wanted it.

 

Then I stenciled {see you are going to use that paper} the letters on with a pencil....can you see it or is it too faint?

 

 

Then ....and this the BIG secret to perfect hand lettering. Get a paint pen and retrace the stencil. The paint pen creates a great outline. Be sure to test it out on a piece of paper before writing on the actual sign. After it's dry take your paint & a small brush and fill in the letters.

After I did this the sign was well...technically finished, but I was contemplating ageing it to make it look vintage and then I thought maybe I should create some kind of a knot to place through those two holes on the bottom {where the handle used to be} the sign then....yep you guessed it....sat for a few more months while I tried to decide what to do.

I guess this post could be re-labeled as "Get it Hung Up Already" because after weighing my options to age or not to age {which if you are going to age a sign you need to have that in mind before you even paint - if you want it done right} and realizing that I could be making a perfectly cute sign ugly {you can't go back after you age a piece.} I decided to leave it be and hang it up.

 

So there you go. After months and months it's done and up and I love it!

Do you have a craft that needs to get done? Get it Done Already and join us at the end of the series for a linky party where you can show it off!!

Get It Done Already!

Before we get started, we need to announce the winner of our giveaway!  The lucky winner of a pair of ear pins is Anne!  Congratulations, Annie!!

I don't know about you, but autumn always makes me want to craft.  Visions of Halloween decor, Thanksgiving centerpieces, and handmade Christmas gifts dance in my head.  I collect coupons for Joann's, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby, dreaming of all the wonderful things I can make.  Except....

I have about a zillion unfinished projects at home.

I have yarn for crochet projects that I haven't started.  I have fabric that hasn't been cut.  And I have a half dozen other projects that were started but haven't yet been finished.  Raise your hand if you can relate.

In an effort to finish up some of these orphaned works in progress, we are launching a series entitled

Get It Done Already!

We'll each take some turns finishing up some of these projects and them sharing them with you, our readers. Please feel free to play along!  At the end of the series, we'll do a linky party so that you can share what you've been able to finish.  So let's wrap up some of these crafts and free up our homes and time for the holiday projects we want!!

First up, these fall pillows:

TWO YEARS ago, I found this great tablecloth on clearance at Walmart for $5.  I thought it would be perfect for some fall-themed throw pillows for our couches.  I bought it, brought it home, and did nothing with it.  That's right.  The next fall, I packed it up and moved it to Texas.  And then did nothing with it.  I pulled it out again last week and decided enough was enough!  I used my existing pillows and just made simple envelope covers for them.  I didn't write a tutorial, but Six Sisters' Stuff has great directions.

A couple of hours later I had these cute pillows.

I can't tell you how good it feels to have these completed!  They cheer up our couches and my craft guilt has been lessened considerably.

Now, go forth and

Get It Done Already!