Fun Fall Pictures

This is a great decoration for fall and simple for all ages (after seeing the kids' pictures framed, I want to do one myself now).

I started with a piece of scrapbook paper.  I used paper that was textured so that it would look a little nicer than plain paper (but any paper will work).  Next, I took brown paint, mixed in some metallic brown for fun, and painted a tree on the paper.  Then once dry, I gave each kid a painted tree and some buttons and had them glue the buttons on using clear-drying glue and a paint brush.  They had glue all over the buttons and paper, so its important to use a clear-drying glue, like Elmer's.  Since we were doing fall pictures, I grabbed bags of buttons that were assorted fall colors.  But, you could also do a nice spring picture by using assorted green buttons and maybe even a red here and there for an apple or a pink for blooms.

Simple.  Beautiful.

Spooookkkkyyyyyyy Luminaries

This is a great way to reuse your glass spaghetti and pickle and mayo jars and make them into something fun for Halloween.

So simple...  Have your little one paint the inside of the jar a solid color, depending on which creature they are making. 

There are a few different ways to do the face.  For my 2 year old, I took a permanent marker and drew the face on the front of the jar.  For another of hers, I cut out face pieces, and she put them on the jar.  For my 4 year old, I drew face pieces on black construction paper.  Then, I gave him scissors, let him cut out the pieces, and using a glue stick, he put the pieces on the jar.  And obviously, we had to grab the googly eyes for one.

Add a candle and there ya go.  Such a fun use for old jars!

Bringing the Beautiful Fall Colors Indoors

Our yard is sooooo covered with leaves already.  Its crazy! 

Coming in from school today, the kids decided to collect a bunch of their favorites.  They brought them in and put them on the table.  Sooo pretty... So we decided to decorate with them.

I took out some thread (my son made me get thread to match each different colored leave) and tied the leaves to the light over the kitchen table.  What an easy way to bring the fall indoors.