Ahhh Autumn.
Finally you have arrived, (it was in the 40’s on the morning that I wrote this) too bad the trees in Dallas don’t register the change of seasons until about late November.
No worries, I have a plan to bring a little Autumn to our front porch.
With a Halloween/Autumn garland.
I start with screws into the molding on all four corners of my door, then I run a cord from screw to screw.
Like so….
Sure, it’s white….but if you do this right, no one will ever see the white cord.
Green paddle wire from the craft store is all I need to wire branches to the string….
I just cut 4-5 inch pieces…..
…….and wire live oak branches, from the front yard, wherever they need it.
This layer is my base, because these branches were free.
Since the trees in Dallas don’t turn colors….I had to buy colored leaves.
Usually the craft stores carry them, but this year none of the children working at ours had ever heard of preserved natural leaves.
Found them at our grocery store in the floral department.
4 bucks a bag – 3 bucks with my “Reward Card” – I bought 10.
They look much better when they are unbagged and fluffed.
Using even more wire, I added in the colored leaves as a top layer.
I just keep adding leaves ’till I can’t see that white rope anymore.
Not too bad, Right?
Now the fun part.
I picked up some Halloween flicker lights from the Target. 3 boxes……I think that’s 30 lights total.
…and these orange b-lights (also from Target) we still had from last October when we filled the Indian Hawthorn bushes with them.
Can’t repeat that this year, since we no longer have bushes…….just cacti.
I never get rid of anything……so in the garland they will go as well.
I start with the flicker flame lights and pull them through the leaves leaving all my cords behind the garland. (HATE to see the cords)
The b-lights I weave back and forth in a zig-zag motion hiding the cord under leaves as I go.
Almost there.
We headed to the Dallas Farmer’s Market to buy a few pumpkins.
Yeah, they had some beauties…….
And another charming front porch at the Cavender house…….
When the sun goes down it looks even better…….
The Square Leaf Wreath I made a few years ago.
And the Orange Glass Ikea Lantern was a pretty simple project as well.
Check them out…..
Ohhhhh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
THE CAVENDER DIARY 
So beautiful! You had me at ORANGE! With so many pumpkin topiaries on doorsteps these days, I have to admit that I love the unstructured pumpkin/gourd collection you chose to display! And the chuckling pumpkin-head candleholder is divine–where did you find such a treasure??
Thanks Heather, Yeah that orange door doesn’t hurt much, does it? That old Smiling Jack-O-Lantern was a Target purchase many, many years ago. Whish I had bought several.
I was hoping for better news about the Jack-O-Lantern… like I could run out and grab one today at my local Michael’s or something. Bummer. I always seem to be a few seconds to a few years too late. I guess I will just have to keep my eye out at yard sales and hope someone, in a fit of clutter-reduction, gets rid of one of these gems! Stay orange!
It could happen. I think he looks like the vintage 1930 pumpkin decorations….here’s one on Ebay right now http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1940-1950s-Paper-Mache-Halloween-Jack-O-Lantern-Pumpkin-2-Colors-/131028008189?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e81e0bcfd
Absolutely beautiful and perfect! Now, can you come over and do my front door?? Kidding but thank you for sharing! You always give me inspiration. Hope you enjoy this cooler weather. 🙂
Thanks Amber, been cooking my favorite fall dishes all day. Pumpkin enchiladas and curried pea soup…..I’m enjoying all right.
Natural, classic, and utterly divine. Those plaid pillows are scrumptious! {note to self: check Tom Thumb for preserved leaves}
Tom Thumb is where I found them…..Can you believe that Michael’s and Garden Ridge had nothing? Good thing they last for years…….
Laughed at “the children at your local craft store” . How could they have never heard of preserved leaves? I am an old Craft n Flower (Ohio) girl. Gone are the days of professional framers, talented floral designers and knowledgable employees! Today’s craft stores are minimum wage cashiers, that’s it. Usually I find myself explaining the products to them!
The porch is just absolutely magnificent. Thanks for sharing. Always love your talented ideas.
Glad you like Christine. An yes, I too have to explain things to the “Craft Store Hourlys”…..like gold leaf, Ice spray, frosting gel, and looking glass spray paint.
Awesome Job, I love it. I admit I never thought of Autumn garland until now. You both have so much style and FUN that I wished we lived closer I was your friend.
Awwwww. move to OAk Cliff…..:)
Your garland looks lovely, as do the rest of your fall decorations.
Every time you style your front porch I wish I had one to that I could make pretty 🙂
Beautiful! And just a tiny bit over the top. Martha would be proud 🙂
Proud? We want Martha jealous!
I mean, Martha who?
You guys seriously kill me! In a good way of course! : )
Just keepin’ it festive, Joan ……
I just love how you decorated the door! It’s so creative with the lights and fall leaves. It must feel festive every time you see it.
Sometimes I drive by the front of the house just to see it…….(we have an alley and the garage is in the back of the house)
I know this is old but I do the same. I put so much effort in my yard and decorations that I have to admire it too! And there is no such thing as “over the top” in my world. Plus I change things up every year – keeps me out of trouble!
I hope to move to Oak Cliff or Lakewood as soon as last kid is in college – 2 years away.
Laurie, If I could, I would create a full on cemetery in the front yard every year……I think about it every year. And it would be AMAZING!!! Come to the “Cliff”, it’s great here…… I was in Lakewood for years before this…I like Oak Cliff much better.
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I asked the question, and lo n behold, found it – Im screaming! Its gorgeous and the base was free – the porch is beautiful. Good thing I live far away, I would be sitting and staring at your creations like a stalker!!
I knew I’d written about it before 😃 It always corresponds with Jamie trimming our oak trees in early October. Yupp, free branches….ohhhh, FYI…wait till you see thecgarland for Christmas. (Also mostly free)