Where We Gather Pt. 1

Hey everyone!  I've been dying to share my Fall mantel and the rest of my family room with y'all, but have decided to just show the mantel first so as not to get more photo-laden than it is anyway.  I've spent a lot of time tweaking the mantel &  thought I had it finished a while ago; but then I came across something I had pinned on Pinterest and realized I wasn't quite finished.  Does that ever happen to y'all?  Anyway, I got this great idea from Emily at 52 Mantels, for a really cool garland and it didn't cost me anything -- I already had what I needed.  You will be surprised when you see what and how this garland is made.  Emily is one talented lady, so go check out her blog if you haven't already.  Okay, let the pictures tour begin!

Our mantel is pretty small and shallow, but The Man is working on some plans to give the fireplace and entertainment area a new look.  

I'm thinking that will probably be a January project.....hope, hope, hope!

I usually hang a wreath from the mirror, but decided to do something different this year.

I made a simple cardstock leaf pattern, stamped the letters on and hung them from burlap twine.

This is the garland I was talking about in the very beginning.  Emily at 52 Mantels has an easy-to-follow tutorial for making these flowers.

Do you know what they are made from?

If you guessed lunch sacks, you would be correct.  I made two different sizes & tied them onto a length

if burlap twine.

I think they look like dried hydrangeas.

I really like how they tie in with the burlap & other earthy tones.

I added in a berry & leaf garland & some old styrofoam pumpkins that I covered with 

Old Gold Rub 'n Buff.

I've tucked in a small string of gold-colored lights to give more life to the mantel-scape.

The vase is white marble that I simply wrapped with burlap twine & added orange lanterns.  I use these candlesticks a lot.  I got them at Kirkland's several years ago and they were kind of a brown and gold marble color -- not very pretty.  So I gave then a light coat of off-white spray paint, a bit of sanding & now have a set that works in so many vignettes.

Love having the timed battery candles that just magically come on at 5 pm!  

Isn't it funny how last year everyone was clamoring for the metallic mesh ribbon, but this year it's more about burlap?  Wonder what that means for Christmas.......hmmmm?

I bought the little iron squirrels at Hob Lob last year -- so cute!

They are each standing on a pinecone so they can see everything that's going on!  The small ceramic pumpkins are from Kirkland's several years ago.

This large ceramic pumpkin is 35+ years old.  It has a jack-o-lantern face on the other side, & the lid comes off so you can add a votive candle.

One last look.  Oh, I really love my lunch sack flower garland!

I love to party with these fine bloggers:

Sunday

The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Cheri at It's So Very Cheri for It's So Very Cheri Party

Monday

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays

Tuesday

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Wednesday

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Thursday

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Friday

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 

Karen at A Stylish Interior for Stylish Friday Finds