I’m BAAACK!! In case you didn’t know, I took a blogging break last week to get our homeschooling year off to a good start and get caught up on a few things. That break resulted in our entire family getting a nasty chest cold and myself ending up with a broken toe. So did I get much done? Nope, but we did manage to get our barn wood for our kitchen counters. I share more details in my newsletters, so be sure to sign up. And… there’s more good news! Today is Trash to Treasure Tuesday and I’m all about some corn husk. I know I’m corny. hee hee hee
Be sure to check out the bottom of the post for what my blogger friends have worked on for you too!
So many people are starting to decorate their homes for the coming fall season and though I hang onto every thread of summer, I decided to go ahead and get some crafting done. I wanted to give you a chance to get some of your own fall decor made before you’re ready to decorate.
Here’s what’s funny…I had no intention to take on my fireplace as a project right now since our family room is next on our agenda. I keep telling myself, “Stay focused…kitchen!” However, when I got it all taken apart here’s what I saw:
One blank boring mess. We will be tearing out that carpet and redoing a few things, but my future goal was to freshen up this fireplace when the remodeling was done. Well…my little self saw fit to tackle it now because…I WANTED TO. (laughs wickedly) It’s my vacation, so this is how I “take a break”.
DIY TIME
It only took me a couple hours to paint the grout lines and then stain the barn beam mantel. My goal was to draw out this beauty instead of it being stuck in a corner. We added the floating barn beam mantel a few years back and I have been debating on staining ever since.
Doesn’t it look better? I’m stoked that is off my checklist.
Okay, now that is done, I want to show you how to make those corn husk pumpkins and wreath that I have displayed. Sound good?
First, here is what you’ll need:
Materials:
- a dozen ears of sweet corn – shucked and dried
- old pumpkin stems (or sticks, driftwood, etc.)
- pool noodle
- burlap
Tools:
- hot glue gun/glue sticks
- old curling iron
- old flat iron or clothes iron (optional)
- sewing scissors
I have a thing for making most anything into pumpkins. A few years ago was my bowling ball pumpkin. Head here for the TUTORIAL.
Meanwhile, last year I created my funky pumpkins from railroad spikes and scrap wood. Head HERE to see how I made these fun cuties OR you can find them available in my online shop.
So you can see I love to have fun making pumpkins. Ready to start making this newest addition?
DIY TIME
Unless you already have some corn husk dried, you will need to prepare for this project at least a week in advance. Or, as shown above, you can use any heavy fabric like burlap, drop cloth, etc. For the corn husk version, shuck your corn making sure to try to keep the corn husk in whole pieces, if possible. To dry the corn husk, we used some scrap boards and laid them all out. My kids had fun with this part.
Then press between another board and let set for a week or so until dry. I’ve used smaller boards and stacked them thick with just as much success.
Now that your supplies are ready, let’s get crafting. Grab your pool noodle and cut about a 3½” length off.
Next, cut a length of burlap long enough to wrap around the noodle and about an inch and half wider so that it can tuck into the top end of the pool noodle. Glue in place with your glue gun.
TIP: To save your fingers (ask me how I know) I always use a stick or some other object to press down what I’m gluing. Those glue gun burns are not funny!
NEXT STEPS
Once you have the burlap around the pool noodle, begin adding the husk (or burlap) around the bottom of the noodle in a star-like fashion. Here is is shown from the top. If your corn husk pieces are bent or folded, just use an old clothes iron or flat iron to smooth them out. Check a thrift store for used ones that can be dedicated to crafting.
Keep adding until the base is full. Once done on that end, flip the noodle over and attach the other end of the corn husk to the top using your glue gun. You can even sacrifice some sewing pins to help hold them in place while they cool.
After you have attached all the pieces, just add your old pumpkin stem (each year when the season is over I pull of the pumpkin stems to use for the next year). For a bit of texture, you can use a curling iron to curl a few pieces of corn husk to mimic pumpkin tendrils.
THE REVEAL
And you have your pumpkins!
I share how to create that “hello Fall” sign in this tutorial.
Since I had plenty of corn husk leftover, I decided to create this corn husk wreath using a grape vine wreath to start. You could use another pool noodle wrapped in burlap, or whatever wreath base you prefer.
To make this wreath, I just simply curled the rest of the dried corn husk with a curling iron and attached with my glue gun. I love it because it’s simple and fun. No need to break the bank to make your decor. And by adding natural elements to your home brings a soft touch. Last year, my mantel focused on neutrals, but this year I brought a little of those gorgeous fall colors back in. Oh, and if you love those log candlesticks, I have the tutorial to DIY them over here.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this craft and my mini room makeover. I would love it if you would pin and share to spread the pumpkin love and inspire others to get their craft on. ♥
Or better yet, to inspire others to give their home a fresh touch. Here’s our space remodeled and full of DIY fun HERE.
Up next, I have a furniture makeover for you using this Mersman side table as my subject. It’s time to get some bling on! See the after HERE.
WAIT!! Don’t forget to check out these awesome makeovers by my Trash to Treasure friends!
Confessions of a Serial DIYer |
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Girl in the Garage |
More of my fall decor tutorials:
What an amazing transformation of your fireplace just by painting the grout and staining that fabulous mantle!!! It seems to deepen the color of the stone and really adds definition. Just beautiful!! Hmm, farmers market is today and there are always vendors with sweet corn – I might just have to snag some and make that wreath & a pumpkin or two! Can’t wait for info on that sweet Hello Fall sign! Your fall display is subtle, warm and oh so inspiring! Keep the great ideas coming!
Awesome to hear, Joyce, because that’s just how I feel about it. It really made a difference to brighten up our room and we love it!
Painting the grout and staining the mantel made a HUGE difference. It looks soooo much better. Love it!
That 80’s look just had to go. I can’t wait to tackle the rest of the room. Especially the carpet!!
Your fireplace make over is unbelievable. I questioned painting the grout at first but it really made a difference and the mantel is perfect. Love the end result.
I did too and why I waited so long in case I would change my mind, but we LOVE IT! Thank you.
I love the fireplace makeover. It just makes it “pop.” I love all the decor around the mantel, all your artistry. Wish you were my neighbor! You would be a “jolt of caffeine” by just coming around for a cuppa. So ambitious. I like being busy as well. Love all your projects. Can’t wait to see the hickory counter tops. Can’t visualize like you can.
hahaha…my husband always says he doesn’t know how I do it. That’s saying something as he is man of very few words. 🙂 Thanks, Sherry!
What a difference in the fireplace! What did you use to paint he grout? Can’t believe how it makes the brick POP!! Always love your tips/tricks. Many thanks for sharing <3
I am a sucker for stone and the sandstone and beam were being lost in it all. I meant to use a basic flat white, but accidentally grabbed my Kilz, so Kilz primer it was. ha!
Larissa, This is a fantastic makeover. The new white grout just makes the fireplace stones POP!! I am quite surprised at how it has come alive!! Great job!! And that mantle. . I love it!! The dark stain allows it to stand out so well. You never cease to amaze me. Tell your little helper daughters that the pumpkins and wreath is BEAUTIFUL, and great job on helping Momma!!
Thankful for Pinterest where I was able to find a picture of my idea to my husband which allowed me the benefit of I “won’t ruin our fireplace”. hahaha… I am blessed to have an easy-going husband. Thanks so much, Karen! They had fun!
I love it! Going over the grout on the fireplace and staining the mantle made such a huge difference. The pumpkins are so cute! I hope your toe is feeling better and be back to normal quickly.
I’m still purple, but having my mantel done makes me forget about it. Thanks, Bonnie! 😉
Your mantel and fireplace look wonderful! What a transformation. Even though the shapes are different, the mood and colors now remind me of Pennsylvania Bucks County Stone and the entire fireplace has that antique-been there forever but I’m still beautiful-vibe! Congrats!! AND I like the corn husk pumpkins the best.
How sweet is that?! Thanks for the encouragement, Karen. I had fun!
The fireplace is awesome, it’s beautiful it stands out now not hiding in the wall. It has character now.
Exactly why I did it. Thanks so much for the love!
Love the updated fireplace and stained beam! And those pumpkins are so cute – I never would’ve thought to use a curling iron on them 😉
Thanks, Jen!
You are just amazing, I wish I had your energy and half your talent. Your fireplace looks so pretty, such a big improvement.
I love cornhusk craft I have a basket and some flowers made from cornhusk that I have had for years and still looks as good as the day I bought them, they hold up really well. Your pumpkins are so cute.
I can’t wait to see your kitchen completed and especially the counters. I just know that wood is going to be so gorgeous, I will be green with envy, but so happy for you.
That’s great to hear, Patty. They were so fun to work with and I didn’t have to do anything to them, but use them up. Easy! I cannot wait to see our kitchen come to fruition. Major mess yet to come until we’re done. Whew!
You are just the cleverest ever, Larissa! LOVE the corn husk pumpkins and the wreath too! I wonder if the corn husks could handle spray paint? I’d love a wreath like that in green! Love the fireplace update too. 🙂
Hmmm…if you spray before curling I think it will come off, but maybe after? Thanks, Christy.
Staining the mantel is one of the biggest bang for your decorating budge I’ve ever seen. Lovely.
It just needed something as it was hidden. I could have took it down and used a pressure washer to get to the original color, but my husband would not be happy with that request. 😀 I’m happy with it and so is he!
I love the change….staining the mantel is perfect! Painting the grout….priceless!!!! Really enjoyed this post!
Awesome!! Thank you, Karen. 🙂
What a difference you made to your fireplace – you put the Focal in Focal Point! Very clever idea for pumpkins too and so easy. I’ll be thinking twice about composting our corn husks this Fall. Hope that toe is feeling better!
As you can imagine it was driving my brain nuts to not only have our kitchen taking longer than expected, but also dying to get to our living room. aaahhh!! It felt so good to get that out of my brain. Thanks, Marie!
Love the way the fireplace looks now! And how creative are you?? Love it all!!
Thanks so much, Nancy. It felt good to get it out of my brain. 😉
Painting of mortar between the brick of the fireplace was inspired! Just this alone brought depth and new life into your room…super nice Fall décor too. 🙂
I can’t wait to get it all done, Julie. Thanks so much!
Larissa the fireplace looks great just a little change and it made a huge difference. And the pumpkins are adorable. Love your high end tools to curl the husks!
hahahaha…yes, I don’t break the bank in any way around here. 😀 Thanks, Mary!
The fireplace looks fantastic!!!!
Thanks! I love that it feels like we’re helping out home stay “alive”, if you know what I mean.
Wow! So much of a change. Great job!
Thanks, Vangie!
Larissa,
I think that is one of the best mini room make-overs I have ever seen!
Warm, inviting, homey, you just want to sit down and stay awhile. You really nailed it.
Absolutely perfect!
Awesome!! Thank you so much, Wendy. I seriously had fun.
Holy Cow! Your fireplace looks amazing. It’s making me think I should do that to mine. I painted it peach 22 years ago and still love it, but maybe I should paint the mortar white to freshen it up a bit. The pumpkins are darling! You never cease to amaze me with what your creative mind imagines!
tee hee! That’s what I like to hear! 😀 It was a simple fix to a really boring spot. Thanks so much!