20 DIY Burlap Ideas: For the love of all things burlap!

I may be slightly obsessed with burlap for the moment  month  season year....but I promise you there is a good reason why.  Burlap, while it can be a real mess to work with, is one of the most versatile mediums (did I really just write 'mediums'?? Just trying to up my game from my usual 'things') I use to create.  I have made everything from toilet paper napkin rings to wreaths and pillows with burlap.

Since I love it so much I thought I would share my love of all things burlap today with a great big roundup of some really cool DIY burlap crafts and projects we've featured right here on 2IY...so here goes.  You can click each photo to be taken directly to the tutorial.

How to Make a {No Sew} Burlap Bow in 30 Seconds or Less

When I shared my mini tomato planter Christmas tree earlier this week, I promised I'd shared a quick and easy tutorial on how to make a burlap bow and so, my friends, here it is.  This burlap bow takes like 30 seconds to make...a minute tops and has to be up there with one of the easiest DIY bows ever.

Clementine crate crafts: How to make a 'darling' table centerpiece

Isn't this little Christmas table decoration just darling?  Pun intended because that crate was actually filled with Darling Clementines until about a week ago.  That is until I dumped them all in the fruit bowl so I could put the wood clementine crate to (better) use.

I'm not gonna say I bought a five pound box of clementines just for the crate...but I mean it may have had a little something to do with it.

Regardless...I think it was a good decision because now look at Mr. Crate.  All I did was use a little goo gone to remove the paper and adhesive before spray painting two coats of black paint all over the box.  

Then I filled her up with goodies I had around the house...

Square Pine Cone Wreath with Burlap

So I finally got around to doing something with that huge basket of pine cones my kids collected a few weeks bake.  They were prepped (and by that I mean de-bugged) and ready for some fun fall craft, I just hadn't decided what.  

I was cleaning out my garage and I came across some nice scrap wood and I decided the two would meet.  

Pinecone Decor: How to clean and dry pine cones for crafts

Awhile back I shared how to clean and dry acorns so they can be used - bug-free - for crafting and decorating.  If the acorn is nature's symbol for fall, then pine cones are winter's.  So, now it's time to talk about pinecone decor and how to clean and dry them so you can use them in all of your late fall and winter decor including pine cone wreaths, table-scapes, garland, etc.

The process to dry pinecones is very similar to acorns in that you want to bake them to kill off any bugs that might be making a home in your next craft project.  Unlike acorns, however, you do not want to wash them before you dry them in the oven.   Pine cones close up when they are wet and are open when they are dry...and you definitely want the scales as open as possible when using them for crafting and decorating.

Fall Home Tour: 10 DIY Fall Decorating Ideas {for busy moms}

 

If you've been following along for awhile you know I've been decorating for fall since what feels like  the first of September August.  This year I made a lot of DIY fall decor so I thought I'd do a great big roundup and take you, my lovely readers, on a fall home tour.   Like a lot of you, I am a busy mom to two little ones, so I know DIY decorating ideas must be fast, easy and cheap.

You're welcome, in advance :)

How to Make a {Real, Lighted} Pumpkin Topiary

I have been drooling over all the gorgeous pumpkin topiaries on Pinterest for the last month or so.  As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my front porch could definitely use some sprucing up.  After I scored five flower pots for $5 I decided I had a perfect excuse - not to mention a perfect base - for a pumpkin topiary.

I've been on the hunt for some large inexpensive fake pumpkins, but those babies don't come cheap in the peak of the season.  I plan to buy a few after Halloween when they're marked down on clearance, but this year I decided instead of going without I would go with a cheaper - real - version.  The problem with real pumpkins is they are heavy, they are not symmetrical, you can not drill into them (to use a dowel for support) or they'll rot within days.  Honestly, they're not ideal for a pumpkin topiary - but they are the cheapest way to go.  And with a few tweaks it is possible to make a real tiered pumpkin topiary, even one that's illuminated.

2 Minute Styrofoam Pumpkin Tea Lights

Mini pumpkin tea lights are always a popular and very cute fall centerpiece. I've made them several times for Halloween/Thanksgiving-time parties and always love how they turn out.  But the problem is you can really only use tea light pumpkins one time, because you know how pumpkins gets once you cut them open.

This year I decided I would make them again, but instead of using real mini pumpkins I would try it with fake ones.   After pulling a few styrofoam pumpkins off a store-bought wreath in order to customize it for a friend, I had a few extra fake pumpkins lying around. (Score!)

The first thing I did was pull off the stem.

Where to get cheap 'custom' fall wreaths

Last week a friend of mine asked me to make her a fall wreath.  Here's her text to me...um yeah, quite frankly, I'm not going to let you pay $150 for a wreath!

Of course, I agreed to make the wreath - if nothing else to stop her from spending way too much money on something that is an easy DIY.

She sent me pictures of a few wreaths she liked so I had an idea of what she was looking for.  She wanted something bold with lots of color; she likes berries and pinecones but not too many pumpkins; and she wanted the "stuff" to go all the way around the wreath not like my mini burlap banner wreath which exposes a lot of the grapevine.

{Pin it to Win it} Monogrammed Burlap Pillow Giveaway

WoooWooo...it's giveaway time, people!

We're giving away a free monogrammed burlap pillow cover personalized for one lucky 2IY reader.

All you have to do is Pin It to Win It!!! Plus, you can earn extra entries to win by completing a few more easy steps like signing up to get our totally awesome weekly newsletter or following us on Facebook.  And since we always love comment love, we'll give you a few points for that, too.

Just follow the giveaway contest below to get started and start earning entries!


Thanks for stopping by 2IY! If you like what you see, we'd love for you to pin it!

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DIY Monogrammed Burlap Pillows

I admit it my front porch is lame right now...I've got a pumpkin and a flag and a pink solo cup where my five year old is trying to grow a tree out of those little whirlygigs she peeled off the street.  I'm not even kidding.  That's the extent of the excitement on my front porch at the moment.

I'm on the hunt for a bench, but it's taking WAY longer than I'd like to find one at a thrift store.  I tried the headboard bench thing, but that was just a giant fail because you need like 5 hands to do it and I only have two and the Mr. wasn't home...

Anyway, I'm living vicariously through my friend whose front porch is looking more fall-like everyday so, of course, I was honored when she asked me to re-cover a set of pillows for her bench.

Junk Mail Burlap and Gold Pumpkins

What...these don't look like junk mail?  You mean to tell me you don't typically decorate with junk mail?   I don't either, but desperate times call for desperate measures, right? Okay, so I wasn't exactly "desperate," but I was in need of some cheap free pumpkin filler and the closest thing to me at the time was some junk mail.  I ripped it open and crinkled it up and that's what's inside my DIY burlap pumpkin.

These festive fall decorations are really easy and take no more than 5 minutes.  Just fill a plastic shopping back with balled up junk mail, newspaper or other plastic bags and tie the bag tight at the top.

Fall wreath makeover with mini burlap banner

My fall wreath needed a makeover.  The bones were fine - the grapevine wreath and the colorful fall flowers - but I just wanted something fresh.  I recently saw this adorable fall wreath idea that included a mini burlap banner and I instantly loved it.  I knew I could easily and quickly make the same thing.

I started by taking my original wreath apart.  I apologize for not taking any "before" photos in my haste to get started on my new DIY fall wreath.   You'll just have to believe me that it wasn't too bad, but it did have more flowers than the updated version.

(Keep in mind,  I didn't buy anything new for this wreath, I just used what I had on hand to make it new again.)

Fall table decorations on a burlap runner

Now that my dining room is clear of all the yard sale stuff that had swallowed it over the last few weeks - I can finally see my table again.  That inspired me to decorate our large dining room table for fall.  If you follow along 2IY often you might notice a trend - I tend to shop my house before I shop anywhere else.  That's exactly what I did for my fall table decorations.

Large DIY Wood Clock from Fence Posts or Pallet Wood

I am so excited to finally be able to share my DIY clock with you all.  I have been working on the clock for the better part of the month - not that it took that long to make - it really didn't take long at all.  I was trying to find cheap DIY clock parts and that was a bit of a struggle.  The whole point of me making a large wooden clock myself was to keep costs down, but DIY clock kits combined with shipping can be kinda pricey.   All the details on where I found the cheapest clock hands and movement in a minute, but first let's get to how I made the clock.

I started with three fence posts (or are they fence panels?) that were just sitting in the back area of my basement.  Pallet wood would also work...or you can buy lumber at the hardware store, of course. 

Easy Fall or Autumn Burlap Banner (Free Printables)

Oh, how I love when the season changes and my decor must change with it.  If you've been following along you know I've been working on a few natural elements for my fall mantle like these Pottery Barn knockoff tree branch candle sticks and these gold spray painted (properly cleaned and dried) acorns.  I also recently picked up a big ol' white wooden pumpkin at TJ Maxx for the floor next to the fireplace, but I still felt like something was missing.

I decided to take a note from my July 4th burlap banner and make a FALL banner to complete the look.   My mirror above the fireplace isn't too large which is why I went with 'Fall', but if you have a larger space, you could also make an "Autumn" banner/bunting.

Acorn decorations: How to dry acorns and decorate with them for fall

Move over red, white, and blue...my fall decor is coming out.  This year I'm taking my fall mantle to a whole new level of awesomeness...or should I saw autumn-ness?  My tree branch candle sticks have been sitting up there a little lonely so last week I took the kids out for a walk to collect acorns...and did they ever!

You would thought I gave them free reign in a candy store - they were ecstatic to collect acorns.   We have tons in our neighborhood and the biggest and oldest oak tree of all is right across the street. 

My kiddos spent no less than an hour picking up the biggest and best green acorns.  My daughter was very meticulous only picking out the perfect acorns, while my son pretty much looked for anything that wasn't "crunchy" (AKA run over by a car).  As you can see they did an awesome job.

DIY Tree Branch Candle Sticks (Pottery Barn inspired)

I'm starting to think about my fall mantle and I know I want to incorporate some things from outdoors inside.

When I looked out my window a few weeks ago to see a large tree branch on the ground, I instantly knew what I would make -- a set of tree branch or log candle sticks.

Pottery Barn Painted Birch Candles

I had seen Pottery Barn's birch painted candles and knew I could make them for a lot less than their $20-$30.  (How about FA-REE!!)

These babies are pretty straight forward.   I found a pretty straight part of the branch and used a saw to cut it into three sections of varying lengths.