Pairings: Arizona Autumn + Fall Decor

I’ve paired nine shots of Arizona fall color with Etsy finds that match their autumn vibes! Each pair is a place to go along with fall-inspired decor and other fun stuff.

You can see more on Etsy’s Fall Decor Essentials guide or check out my personal picks.


 

Fall leaves at Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Artificial stems with fall foliage in a glass jar vase
Six fall foliage stems from BoutiqueBarn in New Hampshire.

1. Fiery Orange Trees + Stems

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona

Every fall, this Chinese Pistache Tree at Boyce Thompson Arboretum turns brilliant shades of orange. You can see it from far away, as it stands out from the green leaves of trees surrounding it.

BTA is a great day trip from the Phoenix area! It’s just about 45 minutes from the East Valley via US 60.

Get it: Rustic Fall Branch

In similarly striking oranges and yellows, you could use these fall foliage stems as part of a flower arrangement or on their own, grouped together to make a standout seasonal centerpiece.

    • At 24 inches tall, they could really add some height to your Thanksgiving tablescape!
    • Sourced by BoutiqueBarn + shipping from New Hampshire.

 

Tree stump with small mushrooms growing on it.

shelves that look like mushrooms
Ceramic floating shelves made by LeilyCloud

2. Stump Mushrooms + Wall Mushrooms

Go: Summerhaven, Mount Lemmon near Tucson

I wasn’t planning on taking a photo of a tree stump while I was admiring the view from Mount Lemmon. Then I noticed teeny – almost cute – little mushrooms growing out of it, and those needed to be captured!

Get it: Mushroom Shelves

I don’t think I’ve seen anything like these mushroom shelves! They are the result of a husband and wife collaboration. She makes the ceramic mushrooms, and he designed a metal mount that allows you to hang them on almost any type of interior wall. Their shop has a variety of mushroom hooks, floating shelves, and even a mushroom soap dish!

    • Waterproof.
    • Designed to hold up to 8 lbs.

 

butterflies on a plant with yellow flowers

plantable card with butterflies on the front
Handmade in the UK by URBANSPROUT Store.

3. Butterflies Pollinating Flowers + Planting Flowers

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum

We were at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and noticed a small row of plants with yellow flowers on them – and each had multiple butterflies on it slowly opening and closing their wings, and (I assume) feeding on nectar. They were so beautiful. And so focused on the task at hand that I could get a little closer than normal to snap some photos with my phone.

    • BTA is right ouside Superior.
    • If you’re heading east, you’ll pass the Arboretum before you get to Superior proper.
Get it:
Bee + Butterfly Plantable Seed Cards

It’s truly wild how closely one butterfly on the card happens to match one in my photo!

    • Part of a pack of 6 cards featuring watercolor illustrations of butterflies and bees.
    • Plantable cards: The cards are made from recycled paper with wildflower seeds embedded, so you can plant them!

 

Boyce Thompson Arboretum berries

botanicals
Natural dried canella berries, handpicked by BoutiqueBarn in New Hampshire.

4. Berries

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum

This cluster of bright orange berries was another BTA find, when I was on the hunt for fall colors in unusual places.

Back when Phillip and I lived in the Phoenix area, there were a couple years we got memberships to the Arboretum. It neat to see it in all different seasons!

Get it: Natural dried canella berries

You can get this type of berries in more vibrant colors, but there was something I preferred about the muted, neutral tones of this one.

 

papel picado outside Tucson Museum of Art

Miniature papel picado flags
Cake-topping miniature papel picado, made by AyMujer in Indio, California.

5. Papel Picado

Go: Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson

Intricately cut paper flags are part of the celebration of Day of the Dead, which also happens this time of year. They’re a different kind of fall color!

We saw these hanging on one corner of TMA on a visit to Tucson, years before we lived here.

Get it: Papel Picado Garland Cake Topper

I love these miniature papel picado flags made into a cake topper!

    • Sold in sets of two strands with bamboo flag stems included.
    • Fits a 6-12 inch cake.

 

 

Sunset in willcox

wreath
Handmade by Melshomedecorshop in Chicago, Illinois.

6. Wispy

Go: Willcox, Arizona

Phillip and I visited Apple Annie’s Farm in Willcox to go apple picking during a weekend trip. We left because the sun was setting, and then saw these fantastic clouds!

    • Apple Annie’s has 3 locations around Willcox with different offerings.
    • If you want to go apple picking, make sure you’re headed to their fruit orchards, which are about 15 minutes northwest of the center of town.
Get it: Pampas Grass Wreath

I like how understated this is compared to a lot of fall wreaths! The pampas grass reminds me of those wispy clouds. And I guess I’m into a kind of into neutral color palette this fall.

    • Approximately 20-21 inches from leaf tip to tip.
    • Made with faux pampas grass, cream berries, blackberries, brown bunny tails, and laurel leaves, accented with a brown velvet bow, on a grapevine wreath.

 

leaves collecting in a stream

candle with dried flowers
Candle made with soy wax by Monsoon Wildflowers in Maricopa, Arizona.

7. Fallen Flora

Go: Sedona, Arizona

While hiking in Sedona, I noticed how the fall leaves were collecting up against stones in the creek, and mixing with the plants that were growing in the shallow water.

    • The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail is a beautiful place to hike and enjoy autumn leaves!
    • The trailhead is between Sedona and Flagstaff, off of Route 89A.
    • Phillip and I have done parts of that hike a number of times.
Get it: Dried Flower Soy Candle

I like the asymmetry of the offset florals and dried orange slices.

    • This candle is made with soy wax and other natural ingredients.
    • You can choose your own scent from a long list of options!

 

 

Día de los Muertos in Mesa

Headpiece decorated with flowers
Made by BloomDesign Studio in Quilcene, WA.

8. Flower Arch

Go: Día De Los Muertos Festival in Mesa

Tissue paper flower arches decorate Mesa’s annual Day of the Dead Celebration.

    • The free festival is going on this weekend! It happens every October.
    • It takes place outside the Mesa Arts Center, which is right by a light rail stop.
Get it: Day of the Dead Headpiece

Frida Kahlo-inspired flower crown for Día de Los Muertos. Fabric flowers are attached to a headband with eco felt underneath to keep it comfortable to wear!

 

 

the last fall leaves hanging on to a tree

Botanical print
Signed original print, handmade by KathyHuttonPrints in Bath, UK.

9. Last Leaves

Go: Boyce Thompson Arboretum 

The last few leaves hanging out in the tree. They probably got around to falling eventually.

Get it:Chestnut Art Print

The shape comes from the artist’s sketches of chestnut tree leaves. She hand-carved a stamp, covered it in saffron yellow ink, and used that to create these prints. They were individually printed onto Washi paper from Japan, so each is unique.



Product photos are from the seller’s Etsy page.

I may receive compensation from Etsy for affiliate posts and links.

How to Make Reverse Trick-or-Treat Bags

I’m thinking this would be a good year for some reverse trick-or-treating.

Halloween candy bag

While I’m not really into Halloween, I do like it as an excuse to indulge in some of the junk candy that I don’t buy the rest of the year, and I’ll pick up a bag or two “just in case.”

I even did this when we lived in a third-floor apartment. Since I didn’t expect anyone to come up, I made a few little candy bags and brought them to my neighbors instead. Reverse trick-or-treat!

In the 2020 version, I’d mask up and leave the treats outside neighbors’ doors.

 

Craft materials: markers, tags, and tape

Materials + Tips

Here’s what I used, plus alternatives in case you want to make the project simpler or fancier or to use materials you happen to have already…

Treat bags – These are great to buy when they’re on sale after the holiday – unlike candy, they’ll keep! I got a pack of clear ones on clearance at Target several years ago, and I’ve used them for a variety of things since then, including sleeves for pressed flowers. Alt: regular sandwich baggies, small paper bags, gift bags

Crinkle paper – Upcycled from some other packaging (maybe it came from these costume mask kits-?) Alt: tissue paper, shredded paper, confetti, or skip it (It’s mostly there for color.)

Cord (for the bow) – I used what I had on hand from an envelope journal workshop. Alt: ribbon, raffia, yarn, bakers’ twine, nothing (Again, it’s just a festive touch.)

Shipping tag – I wrote our names on the back with a reminder who we were (i.e. “From: Phillip and Stephanie from upstairs”), since I suspected some of our neighbors  might recognize our faces but not our names. To be honest, I wasn’t sure about some of theirs, which is why there was no “To:” – just a “Happy Halloween” on the front. Alt: label, card, or make your own gift tags

Ultra fine tipped marker

Washi tape to keep the bag closed

Candy – make sure it’s individually wrapped!

 

Washi tape to close treat bag

Kids need a project?

If you are looking for something to occupy your kids or teens (hello, parents working from home!), here are a few ways they can help with these…

  • Color, stamp, and/or add stickers to bags.
  • Make Halloween cards or tags.
  • Cut construction paper into pieces to use instead of crinkle paper. (Or use a hole puncher / leaf-shaped paper punch to make confetti.)
  • Fill the bags – if they can be trusted around all that candy! (I barely can.)

On the tag or card, include the age(s) of any contributing young artists (i.e. “From Velma, Fred, and Daphne, age 3”), because that somehow makes it even cuter.

candy bag for Halloween


If you make candy bags, I’d love to see them! Tag @travelcraftjournal or #TCJreco on Instagram. Have fun!

Treats (no tricks!): Fall 2020

In these tricky times, here’s a virtual goodie bag full of classes, films, performances, and tours you can enjoy from home, as well as artisan wares you can shop from anywhere!

tissue paper flowers

For good stuff and in between these seasonal roundups, watch our Instagram stories!

Stay well and be safe, friends! Keep supporting artists, makers, local businesses, and causes when you can.  Nourish your soul.

 

tropical plants
Denver Botanic Gardens tropical conservatory, 2013.

Freebies

Badge Bomb:

  • Fun stay-at-home-themed coloring pages, activity sheets, and stickers. Download a PDF or request a free printed sheet with any order.
  • Free shipping on US orders over $50 + international orders over $75.

 

Black Lives Matter poster printable: PDF you can download from Dropbox, print, and hang up. Artwork by Stephen Powers. (Preview)

 

Denver Botanic Gardens virtual Día de los Muertos celebration: Coloring pages, classes, short film competition, and online mercado.

  • In Denver: Glow at the Gardens, Oct. 20-25. Reimagined for 2020, an evening of luminous displays and live performers. Advance purchase of timed tickets required. $17-21

 

Why I Love Where I Live sign

 

Monterey Bay Aquarium:

 

Museum of Craft and Design: MCD@Home has partnered with artists and community collaborators to create at-home projects based on museum’s signature programs and exhibitions.

 

Where to Go + When: Free ebook by longtime travel blogger Sherry Ott of Ottsworld. Email address required to receive the download link.

 

Why I Love Where I Live:

 

Chrysanthemums

Classes

Debbie Allen Dance Academy: Founded by Debbie Allen of Fame fame, DADA is a non-profit organization with programs to expand young people’s access to dance + theater.

 

Hanna Naegle yoga:

 

MyIntent:

 

San Francisco School of Needlework + Design:

  • Online classes on embroidery and other stitching techniques. Fees vary.
  • Virtual Stitch-ins: Weekly Zoom meetups where you can craft along with fellow fans of fiber arts. No RSVP required. Free.

 

Olney gallery in Phoenix
Olney Gallery, a Phoenix First Friday and Art Detour venue.

Virtual Tours

Artnet: Roundup of virtual art world events.

 

Fort Wayne Museum of Art: Take a virtual tour from home.

 

Mission San Juan Capistrano:

 

NYC virtual guide:

 

Phoenix-area virtual attractions:

 

Not Just Quiltz
Fabric at Not Just Quiltz, designed by Donna Abbots.

Shop Art + Craft

L.A. County Yarn Crawl Shops:

 

Not Just Quiltz: We met this vendor at the Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival!

 

Orenda Tribe SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT Shop: Sale of art and artisan goods with 100% of proceeds going to critical aid on the Diné / Navajo reservation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Quilt-Craft-Sew Mall: Shop vendors from Quilt, Craft + Sewing Festivals online, since so many of 2020’s events had to be canceled.

 

Riders of the Purple Sage program
Waiting for the premiere of Riders of the Purple Sage!

Watch

Arizona Opera’s Reimagined 2020/21 Season:

 

The Loft Cinema:

 

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts concerts: Many upcoming Scottsdale Arts shows are either all virtual or in-person with a virtual option. Live stream tickets vary by show ($20-39).

 

SXSW Short Films: A collection of shorts that were selected for SXSW 2020, but couldn’t be screened when the festival had to be canceled last-minute, due to the pandemic. You can now watch them from home! Free.

 

The Loft Cinema

Downtown Mesa’s Día de los Muertos

tissue paper flowers

Dia de los Muertos at Mesa Arts Center

A 10-foot tall skeleton in a sombrero leaned over to ask if I knew what time it was.

Which is not that weird when you’re at a Día de los Muertos celebration with skeletons everywhere – on banners, as sculptures, painted on kids’ faces, and for sale on tote bags.

Dia de los Muertos mariachi concert

So, of course, there would be a skeleton with stilts, a full beard, and no watch.

When you think about it, the lack of a timepiece may be the least surprising part. Schedules are probably pretty irrelevant in the realm of the dead.

Día de los Muertos stilt walkers

Phillip, Quijote, and I had showed up near the end of Mesa Arts Center’s festival. We started at the custom car show and worked our way toward an oversized Frida Kahlo skull made from tissue paper flowers, stopping to listen to a band on the way.

Día de los Muertos car show

We visited the community altar, which was decorated with photos, candles, art, and flowers in memory of departed loved ones.

Día de los Muertos altar

On a second stage, Mariachi Pasion, an all-woman mariachi band, began playing.

Día de los Muertos music - Mariachi Pasión

When Quijote got restless, we moved on to check out the arts and crafts vendors. There were handcrafted decorations, jewelry, papel picado banners, and small ceramics that looked like ones we had seen in Peru.

Quijote at Día de los Muertos

Now it was 4:30 – half an hour before it was all scheduled to be over – and the party showed no signs of stopping.

Día de los Muertos

In fact, it was still so crowded that our stilt-walking friend had trouble getting through. The bands played on, vendors continued to serve up churros and hot dogs and tamales and paletas, and there was still a line to get into the craft-making area.

Día de los Muertos in Mesa

As we walked away, the celebration continued behind us – everyone enjoying the moment, like time was irrelevant.