9/22/13

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



44 comments:

  1. Love your fall mantel! What a great old pumpkin you have. Now I am off to learn how to make those beautiful flowers!

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  2. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE....It all looks wonderful & I love all of the burlap...the lunch sack flowers are amazing.. may have to copy!!...I just put up my fall post this am....take a look...Have a wonderful Sunday friend!!
    xo, Mariaelena

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  3. Love it all! I especially love the glow of the candles against the fall colors. It's very pretty! I cannot wait to see the fireplace makeover too!

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  4. Love it, it looks so pretty and the garland is amazing. What a crafty and creative idea. Hugs, Marty

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  5. Gonna have to try making some Hydrangeas...everything looks lovely!

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  6. Hi Carol,

    A very pretty way to usher in the new season! Love all your colours and textures and especially, the lunch sack flowers, the battery operated candles and berries, lit up!

    Happy Autumn!

    Poppy

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  7. I love the garland and yes, it does look like hydrangeas:) Your mantel looks lovely...cute pumpkins too!

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  8. I love your mantel Carol! You tied so many different elements together seamlessly! The flowers are really fun, and yes they match the burlap so well! Love your "Fall" garland on the mirror, and your large pumpkin by the fireplace is wonderful!

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  9. Your mantel looks great, Carol! I love the leaf FALL banner and the paper bag flowers. I'll have to check out that link.

    Thanks for linking up to The Creative Home & Garden hop. : )

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  10. Love it! I actually got my decorations out of the garage today. Now I can start decorating! Love those squirrels of yours, super cute!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cindy! Looks like we may start having some Fall weather -- well, Arizona's Fall.....lol!

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  11. I love the lunch sack pom-pom garland! Great fall mantel. Pinning!
    Corey from tinysidekick.com

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    1. Thanks, Corey! Hope you enjoy making them -- I certainly did!

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  12. Terrific décor on your fall mantel! Would never have guess your garland is from lunch sacks - you are right, they look like dried hydrangea! I like you FALL leaves instead of a wreath as a change. I'm loving my battery/timer candles too!

    DD

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  13. So cute! That lunch sack idea is precious.

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  14. Love, love your mantle, Carol! Every detail is so pretty! Love your lunch sack garland and the little squirrels are so cute! The candle holders look gorgeous. Beautiful Fall decor!

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  15. I'm totally making lunch sack flowers - I love those!!! Your whole mantle is perfect!

    Sam
    The Kitchen is My Dance Floor
    http://cooksandcreates.blogspot.com/

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  16. I never would have guessed those were lunch sacks! They do look like dried hydrangeas. I love those little squirrels. :) Very pretty fall decor!

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  17. I was so fooled...I thought the garland was made from hydrangeas! I love your mantel, Carol. The fall garland is cute, too!!!

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  18. So creative and pretty Carol...Those squirrels are adorable. Luch sacks, who knew? Thanks for sharing your mantel inspiration. xo Linda

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  19. came by to look for your coffee filter wreath and found your awesome fall decor i love it all great job looks very welcoming

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    1. Thank you! You can see my coffee filter wreath here: http://cas-anoasisinthedesert.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-early-spring-mantel.html

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  20. Everything is looking so festive! I love it.

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  21. Everything is looking so festive! I love it.

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  22. Your mantel is so pretty, all decked up for Fall. What a nice garland! You are so talented...Christine

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  23. Well, I thought that I had commented on this post already, but I guess not. I know I have been lurking over here, dang it!! Anyhoo, everything is just beautiful and cozy looking. I can't wait to see what your darling hubby has up his sleeve to do with the fire place. We have a little (well actually huge) project scheduled for January. I will e mail you and tell you instead of babbling on in your comment section.

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  24. I love your lunch bag garland too!!!! Thanks for showing a close up!!
    You've got my wheels turning now!!
    Blessings!!

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  25. I love your lunch bag garland too!!!! Thanks for showing a close up!!
    You've got my wheels turning now!!
    Blessings!!

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  26. I love your lunch bag garland too!!!! Thanks for showing a close up!!
    You've got my wheels turning now!!
    Blessings!!

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  27. Beautiful!! I, too, love the lunch bag garland ... what a clever idea! The ambiance of the candles is so pretty, and the layered garland over your mirror is so festive! Happy Fall!

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  28. Your mantel is very pretty, Carol! The garland, the candles, the Fall sign, everything ties together so nicely, beautiful!

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  29. Your mantel looks so pretty. I love those little squirrels. I'm going to have to go check out how to make those lunch sack flowers. They DO look like dried Hydrangeas. The twine-wrapped vase and the burlap bows on the candlesticks are prefect. laurie

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    1. Thank you, Laurie, for stopping by and for your sweet comments.

      Could I ask a favor? For those who have a "NoReply" email, such as yourself, I reply this way. But....I don't know if you actually get my reply and thank you. Could you please email me and let me know if you receive this?

      Thank you!

      Delete
  30. Love it Carol! And that flower garland totally looks burlap! So pretty!!!! Can't wait to see the rest of the space! I'm showing off Halloween starting next week! Hahaha!

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  31. Carol, I love your garland. I was guessing natural coffee filters so you had me on the lunch bags. It really turned out beautifully and they do look like dried hydrangeas. I may have to try the automatic candles, I am so afraid of real candles and many of them aggravate my allergies.
    Love the vintage jack o lantern, I am guessing when Halloween arrives you just turn it around. How cool.
    xoGinger

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  32. Wow, the close up on those flowers is amazing! The detail was unexpected from the far-away pic. I'll have to try those too. Thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I enjoyed your comment on aprons, too!

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  33. You did a great job as usual! I still have no fall decor up. Not even my wreaths.

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol