Upcycle Fallen Leaves Into A Boo-Tiful Ghost Garland

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Fall brings out the creative crafter in many of us, as we look for new ways to decorate with all of the colors of the season. Did you know the materials you need for a boo-tiful ghost garland are just outside your door? By picking up discarded leaves, you can upcycle them into a sustainable garland. This whimsical project only needs a few supplies, such as biodegradable paint, a paint brush, a pair of scissors and twine. Put them together, and you'll have a charming ghost garland unlike anything you can buy in a store.

You can use this DIY fall project as an excuse to take a walk and enjoy nature's splendor in your backyard or a local park. Try to gather an assortment, selecting leaves of various sizes and shapes, if possible. If gathering leaves outside is a chore or you don't have time, you can also purchase crafting packs like ZMRU Large Bulk Fall Dried Pressed Leaves. But opting for natural elements lets you use what's around you, while also reducing your carbon footprint. We all know the stores are full of pre-made fall décor, however, sometimes it's fun to put your own touch on something. And it's not just this project where you can use elements of the outdoors. You can also turn fallen leaves into beautiful home decor, so save any extras. Perhaps you already decorate with nature in your home, but never considered giving it a Halloween-inspired twist. Once you have leaves, press them in a book for a few days, and then you're ready to make a spooktacular leaf ghost garland no guests would say "boo" at! 

Throw on your favorite Halloween movie or TV episode for background, grab your paints, and get ready to create. With this project, use biodegradable paint like Colorations Washable Tempera Paint, as acrylic paint is plastic-based. The plastic composition of acrylic paint makes it difficult to break down and could harm the environment, especially if used on leaves later tossed outside. With your chosen paints and a brush, you will paint each of your leaves a new color, laying them down on a plastic tarp or cardboard to protect your table surface. The larger leaves can be ghosts painted white, while the smaller ones can be painted into black bats. Don't forget to give them smiling, happy faces with a dab of white or dark paint!

After your leaves dry, you're ready to string them into your new garland. Measure out the length of twine you'll need by comparing it against the space where you plan to hang it. You can choose any length you desire, provided you have enough leaves for the entire garland. Lay your leaves flat, then wrap a bit of twine around the leaf stem and tie into a knot. Once you're done, you can use your garland to decorate your mantle for a ridiculously cozy touch, hang it along the top of a doorframe, or even along the top of a window. Once Halloween is over, you can take it down and untie the twine to save for future projects. If you used the biodegradable paint, you should return the leaves outside or to the compost pile to naturally decompose.