How to Decoupage a Halloween Plate for Easy Home Decor

 

Vintage charm meets black-and-orange Halloween Ambiance 

If you’re craving a touch of Halloween whimsy without the clutter, this DIY decoupage plate is your perfect seasonal anchor. Using my vintage Halloween paper featuring broomstick witches, pumpkins, spider webs, black cats, and crescent moons. You can create a festive centerpiece that pairs beautifully with black and orange home decor.

Whether you’re setting a candlelit ambiance, styling a table, this plate brings nostalgic charm and visual Halloween ambiance to any space.

Materials You’ll Need:

One white ceramic plate (matte or glossy)

My vintage Halloween decoupage paper (available in seasonal packs or printable sheets)

Mod Podge or matte decoupage glue

Soft brush or sponge applicator

Scissors

Optional: black pillar candles, orange taper candles, or mini pumpkins for styling

 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep Your Plate
Wipe the plate clean with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. If it’s glossy, a light sanding can help the glue adhere better.

2. Cut Your Paper
Trim the illustrations from the vintage Halloween sheet gnome baby in pumpkin, flying witches, black cats, crescent moons, spider webs. You can arrange them diagonally or in a scattered pattern depending on your style.

3. Arrange Your Layout
Before gluing, lay out the pieces on the plate to find a composition that feels balanced. Think of it like storytelling: who’s flying where, who’s watching whom?

4. Apply the Glue
Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the back of each cutout and press it gently onto the plate. Smooth out any bubbles with your fingers or a soft cloth.

5. Seal the Design
Once all pieces are placed, brush a thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire plate to seal it. Let it dry for at least 2 hours. For extra durability, add a second coat.

6. Style It Up
Set three black pillar candles in the center for a dramatic effect, or surround the plate with orange tapers and mini gourds. The vintage illustrations pop against black and orange accents, making this plate a versatile decor piece from October 1st through Halloween night.

Why It Works

This plate isn’t just decor it’s a seasonal altar, a visual spell, a nod to the playful and mysterious. The vintage paper adds warmth and nostalgia, while the black candles ground the scene in ritual. It’s easy, affordable, and endlessly customizable.

How to Decoupage Autumn Hat Boxes with Leaf Print Tissue Paper

Autumn is a season of texture, color, and quiet transformation and your home décor can reflect that beautifully. One of the most charming ways to celebrate fall is by creating custom decoupage hat boxes using leaf print tissue paper. These boxes aren’t just decorative; they double as storage for your seasonal decorations, keeping everything tidy and ready for next year.

Materials You’ll Need:

Round or oval hat boxes (cardboard or papier-mâché work best)

Leaf print tissue paper (like the one shown above)

Decoupage glue (e.g., Mod Podge)

Soft brush or sponge applicator

Scissors

Optional: matte sealant spray for added durability

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep Your Surface
Wipe down the hat boxes to remove any dust or residue. If the surface is glossy, lightly sand it to help the glue adhere better.

2. Cut Your Tissue Paper
Trim the leaf print tissue paper into manageable sections. You can cut around individual leaves for a collage effect or use full sheets for a seamless wrap.

3. Apply the Glue
Using your brush, apply a thin layer of decoupage glue to a small section of the box. Gently press the tissue paper onto the glue, smoothing out wrinkles with your fingers or a soft sponge.

4. Layer and Seal
Continue working in sections until the entire box is covered. Once dry, apply a top coat of glue over the paper to seal it. Let it dry fully before stacking or storing.

5. Style Your Display
Stack your finished hat boxes near a cozy corner, entryway, or mantel. Add a small pumpkin, dried leaves, or acorns for a seasonal decorations that feels both curated and organic.

Why It Works

Feature:
These decoupage hat boxes are an attractive way to decorate for fall bringing in warm tones, natural motifs, and a handmade touch that feels personal and inviting.

Benefit:
They’re not just pretty. You can store your autumn garlands, faux pumpkins, leaf garlands, and seasonal linens inside, keeping your décor organized and protected until next year.

Autumn in Joplin 2025: When Sanctuary Faces New Risks

 

Autumn in Joplin is usually a season of quiet beauty crimson leaves drifting through cooler air, deer moving gently through the woods. But this year, that peace feels more fragile. A newly amended city ordinance now allows bowhunting on private land as small as one acre, and it’s already changing the tone of the season. What was once a time for reflection and coexistence may now invite conflict and unintended consequences.

From my bedroom window, I’ve watched generations of deer grow up in my wildflower garden fawns curled in clover, does grazing beneath the oak canopy. This land has long been a sanctuary, not just for wildlife, but for those of us who choose to live beside it with care. But under Joplin’s revised urban hunting ordinance, that sanctuary is now vulnerable.

Late season (end of July)  Fawn and Doe 

Understanding the Ordinance

The ordinance permits bowhunting on private property of at least one acre, with two key safety requirements:

• 60-foot buffer: No discharge of a bow within 60 feet of any dwelling, building, street, highway, park, or property line.
• Elevated shots: All shots must be taken from a stand at least 10 feet off the ground.

In practice, this means a neighbor just 60 feet away could legally hunt from a tree stand overlooking shared woods. From my dining room, I might witness the loss of deer who’ve trusted this land for decades of deer born in my garden, raised in peace. (or so this is what my neighbor believes is the new ordinance on bow hunting)

 Are the Deer a Nuisance?

No. What remains of the herd are four does, two young bucks, and four fawns gentle survivors who still move through the 29-acre woods beside my home. The older bucks didn’t return this spring. Their absence is felt deeply, and while the cause remains unclear, it’s part of a troubling pattern.

These deer are not pests. They are part of the ecosystem and the rhythm of this place. They deserve respect. Yet too often, they’re seen as sport or nuisance an attitude that undermines the spirit of coexistence we’ve worked hard to protect.

One local resident recently shared online that deer had damaged her rose garden. She hadn’t considered a simple fence. She didn’t want hunting just her flowers protected. This is the kind of peaceful solution the ordinance overlooks.

Unintended Consequences

While the ordinance claims to prioritize safety and population control, it may unintentionally encourage unsafe behavior. Online groups have begun identifying wooded zones near city limits, discussing hunting access in ways that raise concern. These aren’t vague rumors they reflect a growing pattern of interest in exploiting loosely enforced boundaries.

Our community has dealt with similar issues for years. We’ve reported unsafe activity, documented property damage, and advocated for stronger enforcement. But responses have often been delayed or dismissed, leaving residents feeling unheard.

Safety Concerns

This community has already endured incidents that highlight the risks of poorly regulated hunting:

• A family pet was injured due to a misdirected projectile.
• Property damage occurred from discharged projectile.
• Residents near wooded areas now worry about increased traffic and activity from outside hunters.

Allowing bow hunting within city limits may open the door to further complications especially if enforcement remains inconsistent.

 

Brother bucks showing off first season antlers 

 A Better Path Forward

Population control doesn’t require widespread hunting. It requires thoughtful management and community-based solutions:

• Install fencing to protect gardens and landscaping.
• Enforce speed limits on roads like Schifferdecker, where deer frequently cross.
• Add signage in high-crossing zones to alert drivers.
• If necessary, consider a controlled wildlife management program led by professionals with strict oversight and public transparency.

What We Stand to Lose

From September to January, residents who cherish wildlife may witness the decline of deer populations they’ve enjoyed for years. We’ll hear unfamiliar sounds in the night and feel the loss of trust between humans and animals, between neighbors and nature.

 

late season (August)  deer and fawn photo taken from dining room window  

 Read first article on this topic here 

Author's Note / Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. It reflects the author's personal perspective on urban wildlife management and public safety. No part of this content promotes illegal activity, violence, or harm toward animals or individuals. All references to local ordinances, safety concerns, and wildlife behavior are based on publicly available information and lived experience. Readers are encouraged to consult official city resources and conservation experts for guidance.

All writing and photographs in this article are original works by the author. Please respect creative ownership and do not reproduce without permission.

Joplin’s Urban Deer Hunting Ordinance Will Change Autumn 2025 Forever: What Residents Need to Know

 

As bow hunting expands into Joplin’s neighborhoods, residents brace for an autumn unlike any other. Here’s what the 2025 ordinance means for wildlife, safety, and community care.

 

This fall, as the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, a quiet shift will settle over our community. The woods that once welcomed children’s laughter and family hikes where acorns were gathered, wildlife watched, and seasonal rituals played out will no longer be a safe haven. A recent change to the city council’s hunting ordinance has altered access to these familiar trails, and for many, this year’s autumn won’t look or feel the same.

I read with concern the recent decision by the Joplin City Council to approve bow hunting of deer within city limits. While I understand the motivations unfenced backyards, property damage, rising deer populations, vehicle collisions on roads lacking “deer crossing” signage, and fears around chronic wasting disease I believe this ordinance misses the mark.

We live in a region where deer have always belonged. They were here long before subdivisions, sidewalks, and manicured lawns. When residents choose to live near wooded areas, part of that choice involves coexisting with wildlife. It’s not the deer who are encroaching on us it’s the other way around.

Instead of responding with lethal force, we should explore non-lethal alternatives:  Improved fencing and deterrents.  Public education on wildlife coexistence.  Enforcement of feeding bans to prevent habituation.

Deer aren’t pests. They’re survivors, navigating shrinking habitats and disrupted migration paths. Hunting them simply for being present feels inhumane especially when late-season does are still nursing fawns. These vulnerable family units should never be targets.

 Safety Concerns When Hunting in the City

Urban woods are shared spaces, not shooting ranges. Protect families, wildlife, and vulnerable neighbors.

 Safety and Ethics in Residential Zones

Some council members raised safety concerns, and rightly so. Allowing arrows to fly in residential areas introduces risks we may not be prepared to manage. During fall months, families and children walk wooded trails to admire foliage. With a growing homeless population, wooded areas may also serve as refuge. The last thing anyone needs is to be struck by a stray arrow.

And what of interpretation? My neighbor has been feeding deer for weeks and plans to hunt on his property come September 15th. His land borders mine just 20 feet from my home. Feeding deer is illegal under Missouri law, and hunting in densely populated residential zones is reckless at best. Yet he misinterpreted the Joplin hunting ordinance.  He seems to think it gives him permission.

Will people jump out of cars to pursue deer crossing the road? Will poachers assume firearms are fair game? These questions were never addressed when the City of Joplin approved this ordinance.

You can read the full ordinance and registration requirements on the City of Joplin’s official website.

A Better Way Forward

If deer populations truly require management, a controlled hunt would have been more responsible:  A short, supervised weekend event led by animal control and conservation officers.  Permits checked and safety protocols enforced. Limited to mature 4-point bucks only no does, fawns, or young bucks.

This could have helped balance population control. Instead, we’re now facing a months-long open season from September through January that feels like a free-for-all for bow hunters. Permits and landowner permission are technically required, but who’s actually checking those letters?

From what I’ve seen on social media, many hunters seem to assume that any wooded land in Joplin is fair game. They rarely mention landowner consent, and the lines between public and private property are getting dangerously blurred.

Let’s rethink what it means to live alongside wildlife. Let’s choose coexistence over convenience, and compassion over control. 

Other Joplin articles by author  

Joplin Misses the Mark of Late Season Fawn and Nursing Doe 

Urban Bow Hunting in Joplin: A Cautionary Tale from the City Woods

No Signs, No Safety: What Deer Collisions Reveal About Joplin’s Wildlife Crisis

The Myth of High-Pressure Deer Zones in Joplin  

Fear Over Facts: Why Joplin’s Deer Ordinance Misrepresents Lyme Disease 

Urban Deer in Joplin: What’s Really Driving the City Bow Hunting Ordinance

 Author's  Note / Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. It reflects the author's personal perspective on urban wildlife management and public safety. No part of this content promotes illegal activity, violence, or harm toward animals or individuals. All references to local ordinances, safety concerns, and wildlife behavior are based on publicly available information and lived experience. Readers are encouraged to consult official city resources and conservation experts for guidance.

Storytime & Game Night: Autumn Magic Around the Table

 

 

There’s something about fall that invites us to slow down and savor the little things crisp air, golden light, and the comforting rhythm of gathering together. One of my favorite ways to celebrate the season is by turning the family table into a hub of cozy connection. Whether it’s story time after dinner or a spontaneous board game afternoon, these simple rituals create lasting memories.

 Storytime at the Table

After a hearty autumn meal or during a quiet weekend moment, gather around the table for a seasonal story. Choose a picture book filled with woodland scenes, harvest adventures, or falling leaves—or let each family member share a favorite memory from past autumns. The tablecloth softens the space, adding warmth and intention to the moment. It’s amazing how a simple textile can turn a regular evening into something magical.

 Board Game Fun

When the mood calls for laughter and a little friendly competition, bring out your favorite board game. Whether it’s a classic strategy game or something lighthearted and silly, the joy of playing together is timeless. Add mugs of cider, a flickering candle, and a cozy table setting, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for fall family fun.

 

Here Are a Few of My Favorite Fall Season Tablecloth Designs

Created with love for cozy autumn memories, each design is meant to inspire togetherness, storytelling, and a touch of seasonal magic. From rustic plaids to whimsical woodland prints, these tablecloths are more than décor they’re part of the story.

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Things to Do with Autumn Leaves

 

If you have a lot of leaves during the fall season and prefer to do something useful rather than burning, bagging or raking them to the curb then follow these tips for things to do with your autumn leaves.  

Here are a few photos of autumn 

If you are a gardener and desire a rich carbon and nitrogen compost them mix leaves with your grass clippings.   You can also use the leaf matter as a natural mulch for your garden beds or around your shrubs and trees. 

When using the leaves as a mulch you will find that the leaves will prevent weed grown and when the decompose the soil will be enriched.   Its best to apply a thin layer of leaf mulch rather than a thick layer because if the leaves are too heavy they will block the water from getting to your soil. 

Feed your autumn / winter season lawn with leaves.  Mow over the fallen leaves so that the leaves are cut into small pieces.  Leave the shredded leaf matter on your lawn and when it breaks down it will provide a natural feed for your grass. 

Have fun with your autumn leaves by raking them into a big pile then play with kids or grandkids by running and jumping into the pile of leaves.  It’s a fun thing to do during the autumn season.

Grow Lettuce in Autumn

 Autumn is the season when most of your crops are being harvested, however, it is also the time when you grow lettuce.   Lettuce is a fast-growing vegetable that your family will enjoy during the Autumn season.  

Plant lettuce seeds in a sunny location and in soil that you have prepared by removing the weeds and turning the soil over with a shovel or tiller.   

Water the soil well and cover it with straw.  Wait a week before checking to see if the soil has cooled down.  If this method worked your soil should have cooled to the right temperature for planting lettuce.  

Sow the seeds in rows that are two feet apart.   The seeds should be planted into the soil that is a half inch deep. Water well then keep the lettuce bed watered so that the soil is moist but not wet. 

Water lettuce daily until the seeds germinate in about two weeks. Then water as needed, If days are hot then water daily, to prevent soil from drying out.  The lack of water on a hot day will cause leaves to wilt.  Otherwise, water lettuce weekly.  

Good to Know

Should there be an early frost take steps to protect your lettuce with row covers. 

Enjoy lettuce salads within a month of planting. 

Season Change: Autumn Nights are Cooler

When I look out my window I can see that the leaves are falling from the oak trees and accumulating on the lawn. Plus the sweet autumn clematis and chrysanthemums are in full bloom.  Nature has a way of telling us when the summer is ending.  Yes, the season is changing, fall flowers are blooming and the cooler temperature is in the forecast.

Chrysanthemums in bloom, they are Falls flower

Today I turned off our air-conditioner and opened up the windows.  The high was 72 degrees.  Airing out my house sure was nice however I did close the window about ten this evening because the breeze felt cold.

Presently the thermostat outdoors says it is 57 degrees and the low tonight will be 48.    That is too cold for this time of the year and I need to get ready for a cooler than usual autumn this year. 

Tomorrow I will be busy with indoor activities.  I want to pack up my summer pastel clothing because the season has changed.  It is time to get out the darker colored tee's, jeans, cords, light flannel shirts and find suitable shoes.

Here is a transitional tee that is perfect for the autumn season.

Autumn Maple Leaves T-Shirt by Susang6

There will still be some days that are hot so a few short-sleeve tees and capri pants will be good on those days but shorts and pastel floral tops are last season and they will be packed tomorrow in under the bed storage containers.  Then I will go up to the attic to look for the alternative down comforter for our bed because it will keep us warm when autumn nights are cool.  

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day packing up summer clothes and getting ready for the autumn season.