16. Pressed Leaf Ghost Garland
Bring a touch of playful elegance to your fireplace mantel or window frame with a pressed leaf ghost garland. This craft is wonderful because it utilizes natural elements that you can collect during a crisp autumn walk. Gather large, sturdy leaves with interesting shapes—maple and oak leaves work beautifully. Press them inside a heavy book for a few days to ensure they are flat and dry.
Once pressed, paint the leaves with a solid coat of matte white acrylic paint. You may need two coats to fully cover the natural color of the leaf. Once the white paint is dry, use a fine-tip black marker or paint pen to draw simple, minimalist ghost faces onto the center of each leaf. The natural lobes of the leaves act as the flowing arms and bodies of the ghosts. String the painted leaves onto a length of rustic baker’s twine using tiny wooden clothespins for a charming, eco-friendly garland.