fall-leaf-garland

DIY Felt and Leather Garland

I think I have Attention Project Disorder.

I literally have 1,785 projects going on in my brain at one time.

I can’t help it.  I go to Pinterest or flip through a magazine or read a book or just walk down the aisle at the craft store…

….and a project pops into my head.

I get so excited and figure out how I’m going to do it and push the other projects aside and dive into the project pool head first.

And then?

Before I ever finish it….

….another project comes along.

felt-and-leather-garland

Raise your hand if you understand.

Raise your hand if you’ve been there.

Raise your hand if your brain looks like mine.

If you’re like me, I have a solution for us.  A project so cute, so easy, so simple, so doable that you’ll be finished before another project comes knocking.

This diy leather and felt garland.

Here’s the instructions to get started.

leather-cord

felt

hole-punch

Supplies:

leather cording

gray and white felt

tiny hole punch

felt-sketch-739x1024

Step 1:  Trace leaf outlines on felt

It’s very important to start with the right felt.  They sell a zillion different types of felt at the craft store.  You want the thickest felt you can find.  Don’t get the thinner felt or your leaves won’t hold up when you string them on the cord.

Trace outlines of the leaves onto the felt with a pencil.  You want to use a pencil, so the lines just fade away when you cut them.  I bought a small packages of foam leaves from the fall department and just traced around them.  You could free-hand the leaves, trace leaves from your yard or print out leaf shapes from online.

felt-leaves

Step 2:  Cut out the leaves

I used gray and white felt and varied the size of the leaves.

Some small, some larger in different shapes.

I traced on one piece of felt and cut two layers out at one time.

hole-punches

Step 3:  Punch holes

You want to make sure you get a tiny hole punch like this one.

I got it at the craft store for only $3.99.

The tiny holes are perfect for preventing the leather from sliding around.

diy-leather-garland

Step 4:  Thread the leaves

The last step is simply to thread the leather cording (found in the jewelry section of the craft store) onto the leaves.

I mixed up the gray and white leaves and threaded them in a random pattern on the leather cord.

Keep threading until you have the entire cord threaded with leaves.

diy-leather-and-felt-fall-garland

Then just hang up the garland on the mantel.

See what I mean?

It’s so easy and simple and looks like your fall decor stepped out of a magazine.

One project down.

1,784 to go. 🙂

desk-vertical-low-res

PS  I just finished the sweetest photo shoot ever for the company that makes this desk that raises up and down at the touch of a button, called UpDesk.

I love this picture because of the cutest look on our golden, Buddy’s face.

Seriously.

#mostpatientdogever

garland

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Nancy @ Slightly Coastal Nancy @ Slightly Coastal

    Cute, cute, cute. I love it. Simple is so great when it looks good. I admit, my brain looks like that too. Always has...always will (one can hope and pray). Have a great day friend! I'm so hooked on garland right now. I have to hold back from putting it EVERYWHERE. Nancy

  2. Image for Debbie Esparza Debbie Esparza

    I totally understand what you mean, so much swirling in my head at any given moment! You are such an inspiration to me, KariAnne! I so love when your sweet doggies are in the pics, really makes it look like home. I have a request to make, I was wondering if at some point in your very busy day you could actually do a short video on how to make your beautiful bow. I have tried, and tried but it just will not work for me. I can craft pretty well, but that bow kicks my bottom royally! Any help is greatly appreciated.

  3. Image for Linda J Linda J

    O. M.G. You are me! I get so excited when I think of a new project, I think I have to do it NOW! Then, I forget what I was doing before I ever got sidetracked. No wonder there are 1500 unfinished 'have-to-do-it-now' things around here! I gotta work on that. It's just nice to know I am not alone!

  4. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    I'm waving both my arms but not because of crafts -- it's recipes and cooking magazines and Pinterest. There are so many recipes out there yet to be made. I do love to sew and collect fabric and I'm nuts about knitting. I just haven't had a chance to do any of that. Hubby is trying to undermine my desire to paint. He gave all of our painting stuff to our son :-( But I'm going to find a way. You can't keep a determined Italian down!!!! I love your garland :-) Have a happy day!

    1. Image for Kris Kris

      I'm not Italian, or I'd say we are related. Cookbooks/magazines and knitting patterns/yarn everywhere. My husband doesn't try to undermine my desire to paint--he just doesn't "hear" me when I bring it up. Sigh. Karianne, love the garland!

  5. Image for Michelle Michelle

    Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. Only, some of my 'projects' never even leave the launching pad! The garland is precious and I think one of my granddaughters would LOVE this project. She's my sewer. Not so good yet but she loves doing it. What a clever idea for a table! And I can't get over how calm and sweet Buddy looks. He reminds me of our Buster, who wasn't so calm and sweet, by the way. Every farm animal we had got nervous, including the other dogs, when Buster was out to play. But we loved him.

  6. Image for Peg Peg

    That's THE cutest fall leaf garland ever, and THE cutest golden Buddy dog ever!! Love your "brain" and love your crafts!! : )

  7. Image for Ellen Ellen

    This project is made for me as I am craft challenged and you can easily lose me when there are too many steps! I love the simplicity of this leaf garland. The UpDesk looks like a great solution for my oldest daughter. The photo of one of your Twin Thistles is beautiful, she looks so grown up and stylish! Buddy looks too cute. Thank-you for this lovely post, always enjoy visiting your house.

  8. Image for Sharon H Sharon H

    Cool desk, adorable Buddy, such a grown up Mini Thistle! Wow, Mom....don't blink or she will be standing in your shoes, the one taking the pictures....of HER farmhouse inspired home...

  9. Image for Trish Lyle Trish Lyle

    Where did you get the artwork above the desk that says be the change you hope to see in the world!!! I would love to get one each for both of my daughters, we try to send them positive messages all the time. I love your home, and your dogs, we had two golden retreivers and miss them everyday, Great stuff all the time!

  10. Image for gina gina

    Oh, Buddy!!! A professional model like his sister. How beautiful and sophisticated she looks!!! My projects are backed up for years!

  11. Image for Angie M Angie M

    Adorable garland! I know exactly what you mean. I have tons of projects I want to do. I have projects I'm working on and I have projects that other people want me to do. Of course none of them sound even remotely as interesting as the project you think of while collecting all the supplies for one of the other projects. Pretty sure I'll never be done...

  12. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Haha, I not only have my hand raised, I'm waving it madly in the air! I so understand that disorder. Drives my husband crazy ("can't you finish the last project before you start another one?" Or "when do you intend to do that project you bought those supplies for?") heh. Love the garland! So cute. And that last photo...melt. Buddy is just adorable and your girl is so grown up! When did the twins become young ladies? Hugs, Cecilia

  13. Image for KC KC

    I completely relate to your post. I've deemed myself a craftoholic - can't pass up cute, clever, or creative. AND I have enough craft projects to keep me busy for at least 2 years! What are we to do? CRAFT AWAY, I say! I truly enjoy your wonderful website, keep up the creativity!

  14. Image for Michele Riggsbee Michele Riggsbee

    What a great idea! This could be done for so many holidays! I love Buddy's face, such a good boy. My dog's name is Festus, but we mostly call him, Buddy! Both he and my other dog, Dale are my constant companions!

  15. Image for Marsha Jones Marsha Jones

    Lady, this is cute as a button. I don't know when you have time to cut out little leaves (and perfect bty) but these are amazing and so is your milk glass! Thanks for sharing.

  16. Image for christine dasilva christine dasilva

    HELP! I am planning a wedding for my daughter....do you have any DIY projects for a natural forest theme? I need something easy and budget friendly....It's going to be a in my backyard.....ceremony at my garden with a tented reception.

  17. Image for Marian@cmshawstudios Marian@cmshawstudios

    Oh my gosh, I just like you so much. I used to have a billion projects going on, usually home improvement stuff. Then my husband got mad at living in the mess that I was gonna get to and told me I couldn't start anything else until I finished what was open. It was a sad day. And I finished everything and discovered the rush of Done. Done is like idea, only after a big long, involved Middle. But Done is now the drug of choice. I start less stuff and I am less spontaneous, sadly, but dang have I gotten a lot Done! The Other Marian

  18. Image for Susan Susan

    Gosh, you just always have the best ideas, KariAnne, and you are always a whirlwind of creativity! This garland is just pretty as can be and so soft and subtle...I like the texture it adds, too! Plus, this may actually be a project ol' butterfingers here might be able to handle...as long as I don't stab myself with the scissors or something. :) And what a great photo of you and Buddy! Those are some pretty sexy boots and I love the cardigan, too...they go so well together...you look amazing! And imma sending out lots of tender kisses to sweet Buddy...that sweet, soulful face just makes me melt!

  19. Image for Robin Robin

    So me! Do you ever get an idea for a project, buy the stuff, get side tracked and when you get back to the things you bought can't remember what it was you were going to do? So many projects pop in my head, I now have to write down what I'm doing with a supply, when I buy it and tape a note on it, so when I get back to it I'll know what I had in mind. So love the desk, it would definately save my back while I'm doing all the projects.

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