One of my favorite fall decorations is a scarecrow for my front porch. Now I know you can pick up really cute, inexpensive scarecrows at your craft shops. But nothing is more satisfying than using your creativity making a personal expression of your family, for almost no money, than making your own scarecrow! And it's not only easy, its a fun thing to do with the kids as well.
What you will need:
One shirt
One pair of pants
Hat
Old white/ cream/ dark pillowcase for face, or scrap fabric
Plastic shopping bags or old newspapers
Safety Pins
String or narrow rope
Small amounts of straw, raffia, or dried grass
Permanent markers or felt scraps for facial features
Button, zip or close the shirt and pants where necessary, tie ends of shirt arms and pant legs closed with string or rope.
Stuff full with bags or newspaper.
Use safety pins to attach shirt to pants at waist.
Stuff pillowcase into size and shape of a face. Use a permanent marker for facial features or glue cut out pieces of felt for the eyes and mouth. Tuck into the neck opening of shirt, and secure with safety pins. Pin on hat.
Stuff a little straw or raffia into the neck opening edges, and the arm and leg openings. Glue in place if necessary.
Now that you have the basic scarecrow in place, consider the ways you can make it personal! For years my kids each made one of themselves, and we had a whole family of scarecrows (our family!) lining the fence. You can vary the type of clothes from an old fashioned farmer, to a clown, to a princess complete with tutu...what ever works for your family. Insert flexible wire into the arms and legs before you pin the body together for a pose able scarecrow. Make little kid scarecrows, or a scarecrow to remind you of a dear friend or family member.
Showcase your scarecrows on the front porch, sitting in a chair you can see from the back window, standing watch over your entryway, or perched in a windowbox, dangling his legs from the second story. Tip: Wire or tie your scarecrow down if you live in an area where it can be windy.
Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com
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