November embodies seasonal bliss. Cider, fall foliage, apples, hay rides, and pumpkins all lead up to the delicious climax of the fall season: Thanksgiving. Mornings become crisp, causing collegiettes to don sweaters, scarves, gloves, hats, and boots. Aromas of seasonal fare waft through the air almost everywhere you go. Grabbing a pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks becomes the highlight of the school week.
Before winter arrives, collegiettes need to bask in the wonderful season that is fall. What’s the best way to do this? Fall Pinterest crafts! We scoured Pinterest for some of the easiest (and cutest!) DIY projects out there. Next time you’re feeling creative, set aside some time to get crafty, fall style!
1. Glitter Pumpkins
Pumpkins signify the arrival of the harvest season and all the fun that accompanies Halloween and Thanksgiving. The brightly colored squash adds a touch of fall to your doorstep and makes its way into almost every seasonal food imaginable. How can collegiettes incorporate pumpkins into their DIY repertoire? By adding some sparkle of course! Even regular orange and white pumpkins can use a little glitz and glamour to spice things up. All you need is a pumpkin of any size, acrylic craft paint, and some glitter.
Supplies & Directions
- Pumpkin
- Paintbrush
- Acrylic craft paint
- Iridescent white glitter
- Paper plate/Newspaper
Use the paintbrush to spread a layer of white glue over the surface of the pumpkin. Place the pumpkin over a paper plate or some newspaper to catch any excess glitter. Sprinkle the glitter over the pumpkin, making sure to cover the entire pumpkin. Let dry for about one hour. Once the hour is up, shake off any excess glitter and enjoy your sparkly work of art!
2. Edible Acorns
Acorns are an autumn staple—walk around campus during the fall and you are bound to notice piles of acorns lining sidewalks and roads. You might even see some squirrels hiding their precious acorns away for winter. While real acorns probably aren’t the tastiest snack (unless you’re a squirrel), these edible “acorns” are addictively delicious. All you need are three ingredients and a microwave—it doesn’t get much easier than that!
Supplies & Directions
- Nutter Butter bites
- Hershey Kisses
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval until the chocolate chips are completely melted. This will act as a kind of glue to hold the acorns together. Place a dollop of melted chocolate on the bottom of a Hershey’s Kiss and attach it to a Nutter Butter. Let dry and then attach the acorn top (mini chocolate chip) to the top. Enjoy!
3. Autumn Leaf Lantern
This project requires a few more supplies than the rest, but the outcome is amazing. Who wouldn’t want an autumn leaf lantern lighting up their room on a dark, autumn night? If you live in a dorm that doesn’t allow candles, use a flameless tea candle to get the same effect.
Supplies & Directions
- Mason jar
- Leaves
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- Tea candle (or fake tea candle, if living in a dorm)
Clean the Mason jar so that it is spotless and ready for some leaves. Using a paintbrush, coat the outside of the Mason jar with Mod Podge. Quickly press the leaves to the outside of the jar and let dry for 10 minutes. Finish by applying another coat of Mod Podge over the leaves—this will act as a sealant. Place a tea candle inside the jar and your lantern is ready to use!
4. “Lovin’ Fall” Frame
This is one of the easiest ways to festively decorate any space. All you need is a frame and access to a computer and printer as well as a frame. Brainstorming seasonal words is the best part, so have fun with it. Include everything that you love about the fall season and make it as personal as possible!
Supplies & Directions
- Frame
- Access to computer/printer
Make a list of words that you associate with fall. Either use Wordle to make a seasonal word cloud or put your Microsoft Word skills to the test and assemble WordArt into your desired format. If you aren’t familiar with Wordle, it is a website that allows users to create “word clouds” from the text that they provide. Print out your creation, place it into the frame, and voila!
5. Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pumpkins
Pumpkins are usually what come to mind when thinking about the fall season. These chocolate covered marshmallow pumpkins are a great dessert for any fall event. Making the sweets can also be used as a great roommate bonding activity on a chilly fall night. They’re sure to add some fall spice to your life!
Supplies & Directions
- Large marshmallows
- 12 oz. white chocolate chips
- Orange food dye
- Lollipop sticks
- Chocolate chips and ribbon (optional decorations)
Stick a lollipop stick into each marshmallow and set out on wax paper. Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each interval until the chips are completely melted. Add in enough orange food dye to get the desired coloring for the pumpkins. Dip the marshmallows into the chocolate, coating the marshmallow.
If you want to make a green stem, use green ribbon to tie a knot at the top of each pumpkin. If you want to make a jack-o-lantern face, melt some chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and use a toothpick to decorate each pumpkin’s face.
6. Pumpkin Soap
This DIY project is not only cute, but it is also extremely practical. These adorable pumpkin-shaped soaps will make any bathroom smell amazing while adding some festive flair to the room. Not to mention, they make great gifts for friends and family.
Supplies & Directions
- Hard orange or white soap
- Twigs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Cheese grater
Using the cheese grater, grate up all of the chosen soap. Place the grated soap in a bowl and add a little warm water. Grab a handful the size of the pumpkin you want to make and form a ball. Add water as needed to form and smooth out the ball. Once the ball is formed, shape it into a pumpkin! Try flattening it and indenting the ball at the top. Place a twig into the top of the pumpkin as a stem. Using a knife or the tip of a pencil, carve out the slits in the sides of the pumpkin.
