I decorated my mantel this past weekend, just in time for the first day of autumn. This year's theme is pumpkins and gourds, with a color palette of browns and greens, and touches of orange, yellow and white. I combined both crafted decor and natural elements, including pinecones, acorns, leaves, and dried hydrangea blooms.
On the left side of the mantel, I displayed my cornhusk and fabric covered pumpkins, and a twine wrapped foam pumpkin that I made last year. I added fresh gourds, pinecones, and acorns that I collected from the backyard.
At the center of my mantel, I hung a hydrangea wreath which literally took five minutes to make. My hydrangea harvest was pathetic due to the drought this summer. I was ecstatic when I discovered a few nice blossoms hiding on the backs of the bushes where they were protected from the blazing sun.
Two years ago I decoupaged photographs of each girl's first trip to the pumpkin patch onto 8 x 10 canvas. Both are ten months old in the photos because their birthdays are exactly one week apart.
Here is Miss Juju......
.....and this is Miss Imp.
I included several dollar-store ceramic pumpkins that I spray painted silver and gold in an "attempt" to mimic mercury glass. They don't look like mercury glass, but I still like them.
Moving on to the right side, you will see a dictionary page decoupaged pumpkin that I made last fall, dollar store ceramic pumpkins spray painted white and displayed in a glass vase, and a twig pumpkin I purchased on clearance for $2!
I used oak leaves as filler throughout the mantel. It's still green around here, so I plan to replace them when the trees become more colorful. Something to remember if you decorate with acorns or other nuts that you collect......bake them in the oven to kill any insect eggs inside. I know one person whose acorn decor became a wiggly pile of larvae!
Whew! With the mantel finally done, it now feels like it is officially fall!
What a beautiful variety of pumpkins! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! that was spectacular!
ReplyDeleteLove all the textures you have in there!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, thanks for the tip on creating mercury glass!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fall mantle!
ReplyDeleteI am so loving the combo of textures here. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery Nice pumpkins!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love everything about your mantle!
ReplyDeleteShannon
FixingforFriday.blogspot.com
Your mantel is stunning! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love your mantel! Especially that wreath in the middle - gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"! :)
That is so lovely. :) I would love for you to share it at SHOW-licious Crafts. Just follow the link to the post. I love new friends/readers posting new ideas, sew fun!! www.sewlicioushomedecor.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous mantel. I love that you incorporated pictures of your kiddos at the pumpkin patch.
ReplyDeleteEverything is so beautiful! I love all of the different textures and mediums! We will be featuring you tomorrow! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Trish
Oh wow, I love it all!! I am a new follower and I love your blog. Thanks! Shelly from shellybailey.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteFollowing back!
DeleteBeautiful and so creative! Visiting from At the Picket Fence!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Wow! I love all the colors and textures! You have so many great ideas. Thanks for joining the party at One Creative Weekend! I hope to see you back today.
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty! Love the pics of the wee ones. Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteVery creative, next year I need to buy the foam pumpkins to decorate maybe I can keep them year after year, this year I used the real thing that won't last long.
ReplyDeleteYour mantel is beautiful! Love all the elements you used. Definitely going to be making a twine covered pumpkin, decoupaged pumpkin, and maybe a few other things since this has inspired me so! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from 52 Mantels party.
ReplyDeleteLove,love love the three pumpkins on the left!! Beautiful mantel, love the natural elements and textures, also love the pumpkin patch photos. Looks great!
ReplyDelete