Okay, it’s true, I so love autumn, but recently, as in the last few years, I’m loving Halloween too.  Only because in my world, all the kids around me live to dress up in their costumes and I can’t help but get excited along with them.  Costume choice is already the hot topic at school.  "What are you going to be?"  "I’m going to be Bat Girl!"  "I’m going to be Luke Skywalker!"

I’ve never liked the the gory side of Halloween.  I really don’t care for for anything extremely bloody or too disturbing.  Unlike the teenagers, I steer clear of haunted houses.  But I do love the dressing up in costumes, carving jack-o-lanterns, and trick-or-treating side of Halloween.  And I like the playful, whimsical, spooky side filled with spiders, witches, ghosts and goblins.

This year, we’re entertaining friends for a pumpkin carving party, so I thought I’d get a head start.  Martha’s been making beverage labels for a few years now, and when I spied hers in the latest Living Magazine, I was inspired to create some of my own.

Boo!

These beer bottle labels are perfect for the spooky ales we will serve.

Here’s a few poisonous potions I concocted for a Halloween vignette.

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Oh happy day, so glad it’s Friday!  I took a brisk walk this morning to clear the cobwebs after dropping my kids off at school.  This fall day could not be any more lovely, with bright blue skies, a gentle breeze, and turning leaves rustling in the trees.  I plan to spend most of this weekend outdoors enjoying this autumn weather.  The semi annual Antique Fair is also this weekend, so I’ll be browsing that just for fun.

This is the perfect time of year for crafting with fall leaves.   If you’re looking for a fun and inexpensive project, take a peek at these creations from last year.

1. autumn leaves windcatcher; 2. fall leaves on canvas, 3. thankful banner.

Here’s a few more weekend craft ideas to bring the feel of fall into your home with leaves:

Use double sided tape to adorn basic hurricanes

Fashion a wreath with fresh clippings

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I was determined this month to spend very little time, and absolutely no money, bringing the feel of fall into my home.

Why should I rush to the retail stores when the autumn leaves that were starting to turn on the branches in my own backyard provided all the inspiration and free fall decor I truly needed?

Over the summer, there was a lot of unnecessary *stuff* that had accumulated around our house.  I think this happens to most of us, regardless of our ‘clutter free’ intentions.  

The *stuff* in my home clung to baskets, and hid in dark corners where it thought it could hide. 

The *stuff* was wrong.

Several weeks ago, I purged my home of all things unnecessary in my continuing quest to live simply.   I find that when my home is clutter free, organized, and clean (a rare trifecta, to be frank), the pace around here flows a lot smoother.  Piles of meaningless *stuff* always overwhelms me.   Taking care of the *stuff* takes me away from taking care of my family, and that I cannot stand.  

As I scoured my home during the purge, I marveled at how much *stuff* seemed to find its way indoors.  In a merciless two day cleansing sweep, I brought all that was meaningless to the garage, keeping only what was beautiful, sentimental, or useful.

After a successful yard sale a few weekends ago, I’ll admit, I’ve been enjoying the bliss of a decluttered home.  A home filled only with the things that I love, or that I’ve collected over time.  The things that are nostalgic ~ the things that I’ve treasured for years.

That includes holiday decorations from years past.  I was determined this autumn season to not focus on spending.  To not run out and buy accessories that I simply didn’t need.  To appreciate, and use, what I already have. 

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Fall is one of those seasons that just happens for everyone at a certain moment.  For me, last year, it was just something in the air.  This year, it happened to be the turning of the calendar to my favorite month of September. 

I was playing in the park with my girl a few weeks ago, and noticed the beauty of the fallen leaves from a nearby magnolia tree.   It was instant inspiration!  Up close, I loved the shape and caramel color of the leaves so I thought they would make a perfect wreath for our front door.  

This year, my requirements for a fall wreath were this: cheap and easy !   Here’s this year’s front door wreath, and the best part is that it cost me less than $5 dollars. 

The outdoor rug I found last year at Pier One.

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