Spurred on by my children's complaints that we did not have enough fall decorations for the house, and my love of acorns, I came up with this fall garland. Acorns are irresistible aren't they? They are just plain cute. The only thing perhaps cuter, are little fabric stuffed acorn caps.
I sincerely doubt that this is an original thought. But here is what I did. I begged family to be on the lookout for acorn caps. When I had a small pile, I cut circles about 2" in diameter and took a running stitch around the perimeter.
Then I wadded up a ball of fiberfill in my hand and put it in the center of the circle and pulled the thread tight while shoving the fiberfill into the ball. Then I took many stitches back and forth to hold the shape.
Then I filled the acorn cap with hot glue and pushed the messy side of the fabric ball into the cap.
Repeat this many times over so you can create a bowl full. I then asked my husband to drill tiny holes through the caps while I ran to the store for cough medicine for our daughter (winter colds are here full force).
I strung the acorns on embroidery floss, knotting each in place with a square knot. For the center most acorns in the garland, I also attached a felt oak leaf.
I was lucky enough to have two sets of double acorn caps. I found a very green vine from the yard and cut a length of it. I then wound it into a small wreath and hot glued a felt oak leaf and a double acorn to it for a napkin ring. Repeat and you have a place setting for two!
I thought that the acorns were sweet but when my six year old got home from school and noticed the garland, she gasped and said "Mommy! This is beautiful!" It's times like this when her dramatic flair is so welcome.
Edited to add: The winner of the Winter Woolies paper pieced pattern by verykerryberry is number 29:
Jenny said...
that is such a cute table runner! I can definitely picture it on my table this Christmas! And I'd love to try my hand at paper piecing as well!
Congratulations Jenny!
Ooh, I love your garland! I wish we had acorn caps here. And your daughter is so cute! :D
ReplyDeleteAdorable!! And I have a yard full of acorns to get the tops from :)
ReplyDeleteThese are so gorgeous! I love the bright colors you used for the leaves.
ReplyDeleteadorable!!!
ReplyDeleteL-O-V-E your acorns! What a wonderful idea! You are so creative. I'm going to quit reading your blog because I feel so inadequate. Actually, I better keep reading for inspiration b/c I need all I can get!
ReplyDeleteYou have funny acorns there. We have different ones in Europe (common ones; probably in some botanical gardens there are more). The fabric acorns are really cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea, I think I am going to try this with some of the contents of my scrap bin!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I think I just found a market for all the acorn caps we rake up every year! We have a gigantic ancient oak tree in our front yard that drops bucket loads of acorns every year. Sometimes it sounds like it's raining but it's just the acorns falling on the roof and in the yard! Darling idea!
ReplyDeleteMGM
They are incredibly cute Amy! Beautiful leaves too
ReplyDeleteI just love this idea, will have to wait for the change of season for the acorn caps though, it is just coming into summer here. :o)
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeletei've not seen that idea before. this is so darned cute!
ReplyDeletewow, those are cute. Your creativity knows no bounds, Amy!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any of those! what a cute idea.
ReplyDeleteThese are so so pretty. That is awesome that they are appreciated by the family as well! Hope everyone is feeling better soon. We are in the throes of sicknesses here too:(
ReplyDeleteI love it when little ones react that way. You know it's real! The garland is perfect for right now. Awesome job Amy!
ReplyDeleteThe garland is a totally sweet and clever idea - love it! I like your autumn colors too. Now I have to find some acorn caps...
ReplyDeleteAh, how timely! When we were in Tyler, I gathered acorn caps in a couple of parking lots (we don't have them in Alaska) with the intention of adding them to felted balls. But shoot, I don't have any roving, but I have PLENTY of fabric and stuffing. Add this to the list! :)
ReplyDeleteYour kids are so sweet. I love that they're so enthusiastic about the things you make. You're a good mom.
Cute - we have always liked acorn cups in this family and used to think of them as fairy cups - empty ones of course! Maybe the fairies will not mind my borrowing a few...
ReplyDeleteAdorable :)
ReplyDeleteI think they are so pretty, too!!! I'm going to take Krista's idea and use felt balls, though because I've had a bag of those sitting around for a couple years (ahem, if I can find them). No shortage of acorns around here, that's for sure. Your garland is perfect and the added leaves really make it. How clever to photograph them on the mirror with the reflected sky - gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful! :) Makes me wish we had acorns falling around here.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful- just darling! I love the napkin rings. :)
ReplyDeleteOh these are wonderful. Thankyou so much for this tutorial. The fabrics you've chosen are perfect and I love the garland you made.
ReplyDeleteLOVE these!!! I have TONS of acorn caps around here with THREE Live Oaks in my yard....I can here them plopping down as I type!! :)
ReplyDeleteso sweet! My daughter love playing with acorns
ReplyDelete