Thanksgiving Garland; Holiday Decor Ideas

Really exciting title huh?!?

I know I thought long and hard about that one, for all of about 2 seconds.  You can thank me for inspiring you with the title later.... Anyway.

Day 2: Thanksgiving Week

I am so thankful for my home.  What a wonderful gift and blessing to have a comfortable place to safely live.  I have a roof over my head that keeps me dry.  Walls that protect me from the crazy Texas wind!  Cats that run around my feet begging to be fed (all. day. long.)  I get to hear Cock-a-doodeling randomly throughout the day from my redneck farmy backyard and see my cute little chickens run to the back door for treats.   House plants that lose leaves and petals all over but, that cheer me up with a fresh sense of spring. A huge bathtub, that is like my own private spa. A refrigerator, freezer and pantry full of food, with a variety that most kings would have been jealous of.  I have great books to read, that teach me and take me all over the world in the comfort of my p.j.'s.  My own place to create.  Tons of music to rock out to, or relax with.   A dishwasher that actually cleans dishes, and a washer and dryer that cleans my clothes, so I don't have to do it all by hand, all. day. long.  And, a bed stocked high with a million pillows and soft sheets, that every night I thank heaven for.  What richness surrounds us daily that we don't even see.  I hope toady you take a second to reflect on the wonder it is to have a home to live in. 

On to the thanksgiving inspiration. 

Within my home I have two banisters.  It is fun to have them decked out for the holidays.  I had all sorts of spooky stuff for Halloween and when I took it down, it felt bare.

I wanted a fall inspired garland, but couldn't afford to buy one so I started to look around. 

Here is what I found, and how I used it

2 Bleach stained towels

2 Strands of white Christmas lights

Several scraps of fabric in different fall colors (about 1/2 a yard of about 6 colors, slightly more of some)

Masking tape

Fall leaf sprays (optional)

Scissors

A bit of time (and a lot of hulu shows later)

The inspiration for this idea is a window treatment my friend Kim did in her daughter's room.  The hard part was coming up with a bendable "bar" type string.  That is where the towel came in.  I cut some old towels into 1/3's length wise.  Then sewed them end to end, (although I realize now that I could have just masking taped them together for those of you without a sewing machine.) 

Step 1. I measured the banister and cut the (now sewn/taped together) towel piece to length.

Step 2 Then I rolled it up width wise, and secured the roll with masking tape.  See picture below:

Step 3.  Wrap lights around towel roll.  Make sure the lights work!!! Then divide the roll and string in half to help you get an even distribution of lights.  Secure with masking tape when necessary.

Step 4.  If you choose to have a leaf spray at the end tape that in place at both ends of garland now.

Step 5.  Take your fabric of choice and cut them into strips.  I cut mine into strips approximately 1/2" -1" wide and 10" to 15" inches long .

Then begin tying the fabric strips randomly onto the towel roll.  Until the towel is completely covered

Hang up where ever you would like.  And plug it in.  It is so festive and fun at night!  I love it!