Have you seen all the different varieties of handmade paper? Many are quite beautiful. Handmade paper is great for making beautiful seasonal and holiday decorations. *Cardstock, or poster board covered in tissue paper or even fabric will also work well.
You will need a good assortment of fall colored materials, glue, scissors, hole punch, ribbon, and corrugated yarn in coordinating colors. A stapler is optional, if preferred instead of glue.
Start by lightly sketching the shapes of the vegetables you would like to make onto the paper. Draw a pumpkin, zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, or anything else you like. You can also do fruit, such as apples, oranges, and pears, if desired. Make the first sketch large, and then make three or four smaller ones, closely matching the shape. Cut them out.
Fold each shape in half. Open the large one and place the next size in the center. Glue in place and repeat until all three (or four) are attached. If using a stapler, simply line them all up at once and staple from the back. Once attached fluff up the folds to fatten up your vegetable or fruit for a cool dimensional look then punch a hole near the top at the center.
Thread some ribbon through the hole and tie into a loop. Use the loop to hang your decoration by itself or add it to a string of pretty yarn along with other vegetables and fruits. Another option is creating a cute centerpiece. Mixing and matching different varieties of fruits and vegetables will add great punches of color to your decorating, and kids will have fun making a whole bunch or even just one.
*If using cardstock, follow the directions above. If using tissue paper or fabric, crinkle them first then glue onto the poster board. Allow to dry completely then proceed as directed above.
A few more craft ideas that you might enjoy:
Make Your own Beads from Paper or Fabric