Falling in Love... with Falling Glitter Leaves!

  Here in the South, the leaves are just beginning to change to the beautiful hues of fall. And with the evening now comes a slight chill to the air. Fall is in the air! Last weekend, I started getting anxious to begin my fall decorating, so I decided to take a walk outside to collect some leaves. 
   With no idea what I was going to use them for, I gathered away, feeling sure that inspiration would strike at any moment! Well, I was right! As some of the beautiful leaves started to fall around me, I began to think what a magical feeling that was. It brought back memories of a simpler time, my childhood, when I would just go outside and play in the autumn leaves for hours, perfectly content. Why can't I enjoy this INSIDE, I wondered... Well, that is exactly what I decided to do! Bring the beautiful, magical feeling of the "falling leaves" INSIDE! Not just plain, ordinary leaves, though. Beautiful glittery ones! I thought this would give the display more of a "magical" feel. :) I have a location in my foyer/entryway where I like to hang ornaments every year a Christmas time. This is where my "falling glitter leaves" would be. 
   Since the moment I thought of this idea, I have been so excited to complete it so I could show you all! I actually got started that same night.  Imagine my disappointment when I realized I didn't have enough glitter to make more than a handful of leaves... I immediately went online to Hobby Lobby and ordered some {using the current 40% off coupon}. A friend of mine stopped my Hobby Lobby(it is a 45 min drive) a couple of days before it arrived got me a small set of the metallic glitter set seen in the first few pics. I used it until my big Martha Stewart Gemstone Glitter Set arrived. 


What you need:

• leaves in assorted fall colors
• wax {I used my Paraffin bath, but wax melted in a double boiler will also work}
• glitter 
• fishing line or clear thread
• white thumbtacks
• wax paper (or the wax side of freezer paper)

   I pulled my Paraffin bath out and heated it up to melt the wax. {I also gave myself a nice manicure when I was finished that first night:)} You can also use a double boiler to melt the wax. 

   
   After the wax was completely melted, I simply dipped my leaves, one by one, into the wax. 

I sprinkled them with glitter immediately after dipping, and placed them on the wax paper to dry. Be sure to sprinkle your leaves over a plate or a bowl. After applying glitter to the first few leaves, I was able to use a spoon, and scoop up some of the excess glitter from the plate (it really was a lot). It was much easier to apply all of the glitter before the wax dried this way.

   I started out with only these little maple leaves, because they had already started changing colors. After hanging a few I realized this display just didn't have the impact I wanted it to have. Since I was covering the leaves with glitter anyway, I went back outside and got some larger leaves (I think they are oak). They were still green, but after glittering them, you can't tell at all!

   Now that you know how to preserve and glitter the leaves, let me get to the part where I tell you how to hang them. :) It is very easy actually. Just cut off a piece of thread/fishing line to whatever length you want to use to hang your leaves. Tie one end to the stem of the leave. You can either tie it like you are hooking a fishing line or just tie it in a regular double knot. 

   Now take your thumbtack and wrap the other end of your thread around it 3-4 times and just press it where ever you want it to go. My ceiling it textured, so you can't see the little holes at all after you remove them.

   After hanging a few like this, I decided to add more than one leave to each line. I simply dabbed a tiny bit of hot glue to the back of a leaf and held it against my thread. Hot glue was the only kind I had that dried fast, but I am sure there are other glues that you can use that would actually be easier. Be sure you only use a tiny bit. If you use more it will take longer to dry and will melt your wax a little causing your glitter to come off. 

   Just keep hanging leaves to your little heart's content. :) 
Here are a few pics of my completed "Falling, floating" leaves display!
They just spin around and sparkle, so pictures do them no justice at all!  

I'll be linking here:

http://www.serenitynowblog.com/

Falling in Love... with Pumpkin Bread!

   Happy Friday! I don't know about y'all, but I am SO excited that fall is quickly approaching! The weather here in the South has been in the 60s and 70s the past few days (a nice change from 100 degree temps a couple of weeks ago!). This is definitely my favorite time of year! I have had my pumpkin candle burning all week and I am about to get started with my fall decorating. My first step, as always, is going to be  buying some mums for the front porch. Eeek! I can hardly wait! :)
I have been wanting pumpkin bread for a while and with the gorgeous autumn weather this week, I couldn't resist! What says fall more than pumpkin bread?! Here is my easy recipe! :) 

First Mix:

4 egg yolks

2/3 cup water

1 cup cooking oil

1 can pumpkin (15 oz)

Then Add:

3 cups sugar

1 1/2 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

3 1/2 cups self-rising flour 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix egg yolks, water, oil, and pumpkin puree. I used a whisk.

Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour and mix well. I just used a large spoon.

After mixing everything well (try to get most of the lumps out, but a few are ok), pour into three medium loaf pans (about 3/4 full) that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. You can also make 2 loaf pans and 6 muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Don't overcook. Wrap in saran wrap while warm. Enjoy! :) 

*If you decide to share, these make wonderful gifts! I like to make a batch every year using the mini loaf pans. I just wrap each one in saran wrap and tie a ribbon around it. :)