She Turned a Scrap Piece of Wood Into Her First Fall Decoration
Late August is a good time to start bringing out the first fall decor without filling the house with pumpkins and full seasonal displays. Homedit contributor Chelsea Mohrman started with a scrap piece of walnut and turned it into a small sign that marks the shift toward fall.
Twine, chalk, white paint, and a printed template turn the bare board into a hanging “love fall” sign. The wood grain stays exposed, making it a simple first fall addition before the rest of the seasonal decor comes out.
Two Holes Turn the Wood Scrap Into a Hanging Sign
Two holes drilled near the upper corners prepare the board for hanging. Twine feeds through each opening and knots behind the wood, leaving a simple loop above the board.
No frame or picture-hanging hardware is added. The twine works with the rough grain and keeps the construction limited to the board, drill, and cord.
Printed Letters Transfer Onto the Wood With Chalk
The “love fall” lettering begins on regular printer paper rather than with a stencil. Chalk rubbed across the back of the printout creates the transfer layer.
After the paper is positioned over the walnut, tracing the letter outlines with a pencil presses the chalk onto the wood. Removing the sheet leaves the words mapped across the board without drawing each letter from scratch.
Chalk Outlines Guide the White Paint
The left side shows the lettering after the paper template has been traced. Chalk leaves each letter outlined on the walnut, creating a guide without a purchased stencil or vinyl cutter.
A fine brush fills those outlines with white paint. The finished letters keep the shape and spacing of the printed template while the walnut remains bare around them.
Scrap Wood Becomes Part of the Fall Display
Hung above a cabinet, the finished board sits among pinecones, small pumpkins, books, woven baskets, and folded plaid blankets. The sign adds the fall message without taking shelf space from the rest of the display.
Its brown wood also repeats the tones found in the pinecones, bowl, baskets, and furniture nearby, while the white lettering connects it to the white wall and shelving.
Fall Decor Starts With What Was Already There
The finished sign needs no added frame, vinyl lettering, or store-bought plaque. A piece of walnut, two lengths of twine, chalk, and a small amount of paint handle the entire project.
The same transfer method can also change the message. “Hello autumn,” “fall is here,” or another short phrase can replace “love fall” without changing the construction.