Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Autumn Mantel 2013...




Autumn arrived in Portland accompanied by true fall weather.
It's been gray and drizzle-y since Saturday, so the candles are lit and the soup pot is on the stove.
Each season has its moods and I believe that the mood for fall is cozy.


I told you last week that I would show you my fall mantel this week.
Well, here it is!
This year the base is neutral with a little fall "bling" thrown in.


My Goodwill antique Dicken's books stayed on the mantel, just as they were for my Back to School mantel.
A vintage marmalade jar holds pheasant feathers purchased at the craft store along with some dried craspedia, (those yellow ball shaped flowers), that I bought fresh at a local store and hung until they were dried.
An inexpensive floral pick with a large dried pod completes that simple arrangement.
A wee, white pumpkin and a cheery little squirrel, bought on sale at Kohl's, are the finishing touches.


For the bling on my fall mantel I made three types of garland to drape from an old branch that hangs above the mirrored window.
The smallest garland is simply acorn shaped jingle bells strung onto twine.
I found the bells at JoAnn's.
The next garland, I made last fall.
It's simply cut out felt shapes that I purchased at World Market and then strung on a piece of beading twine.
The last garland is made of paper pennants cut out of Dollar Tree wrapping paper.
The key here is to iron the paper flat, so the triangles don't curl.
Then they are simply hot glued onto twine.


On the other side of the mantel are neutral colored pumpkins that I have had for quite some time and bring out every fall, as well as birch bark candles that I bought at Target some years ago.


All together it makes a fall mantel that gives off the cozy vibe that I was looking for.


Welcome Autumn!  
I'm ready for your cozy, soup simmering, candles glowing, quilt snuggling days!




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Also linking to Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Friday

25 comments:

  1. This looks great. I love those birch candles and the garland you made. New follower!

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    1. Thanks so much, Leslie, and WELCOME as a new follower!

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  2. Your mantle looks great! love the natural elements with the touch of fall colors.

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    1. Thanks, Karen. Every year I say, "this is my favorite mantel", until the next year!

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  3. Always enjoy the views you share of your cozy home. Can almost smell the soup simmering.

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    1. Thanks so much. Yes, the soup pot is back out and simmering away now that fall is here!

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  4. Elizabeth,

    What a fun glimpse into your autumn decorations! I like to decorate with nature themes too. On my kitchen table is some dried cattails from out front, and I have some prairie grasses dried and standing tall in a few vases too.

    Have a great week,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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    1. Thanks for coming by Jennifer! It's so fun to peek into each other's homes, to see different decor styles, and to glean ideas.

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  5. It does indeed say cozy. I love those birch logs on the candlesticks. That's my favorite part of all.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie. The birch logs are actually birch bark wrapped candles that I got at Target a couple years back!

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  6. Your mantel definitely makes your room feel warm and cozy! Love all the banners hanging above it.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Thanks so much, Mary Alice. You are a decorator extraordinaire so praise from you is an honor!

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  7. Just so lovely. And are you serious about getting those books at the Goodwill? What a find!! They are gorgeous...what were they thinking?

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    1. Yes! A set of Dickens from 1885 for less than two dollars a book! Can you believe it?

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  8. Pretty! Love the birch logs and the squirrel.

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    1. Thanks, Ginger! The birch logs are actually birch bark wrapped candles from Target a few years back!

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  9. I love it! Your mantel is so inviting. Mine is nearly finished. Soon - real soon!
    ~Adrienne~

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    1. I hope you will show us your mantel on your blog!

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  10. My very favorite time of the year! And you welcome it so beautifully.

    Love your squirrel!!!

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    1. Julie, it's about as hard for me to pick one favorite time of the year as it is for me to pick one favorite out of my three daughters! But, fall is certainly one of the loveliest, isn't it?

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  11. Love your fall mantel! The books purchased from Goodwill are fabulous and the banner is adorable!

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind comments about my fall mantel. I had fun putting it together!

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