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Thanksgiving Mantle



Here it is - my simple, nature-inspired Thanksgiving mantle.

 

It is amazing what some spray-paint and a nature walk with the kiddos can accomplish.

 

 

I attached these metal leaves to the fireplace with tiny removable hooks - the backs have a circle thing attached that I hooked on to.  (I have no idea what these were used for in their first life)

 

A thin coat of paint - more about that Here - and they made a nice Fall accent.

 

 

A clean, white theme united the décor - more on that Here.

 

 

 

The family and I went on a walk around the lake in our neighborhood and found these great pinecones and colored leaves that I love!

 

The finished mantle is a reminder to me to be thankful for the simple things - beauty is around us everyday.

 

So much to be thankful for - Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 



Paint it New!

 

Never underestimate the power of paint!

 

Recently, I came across these five (hidden) gems at the thrift store.

I wanted candle holders for my Thanksgiving mantle, but didn't want to spend a fortune -

all five of these were about $8. 

Love a Bargain!

 

Of course, as is, they didn't exactly go with my décor and they are all different styles and materials.

(glass, wood, plaster)

Painting them all the same color brings them all together and makes them a cohesive unit.

 

 

 

I decided on white as some of my other Thanksgiving stuff was already white.

Plus I love the crisp, clean look of bright white.

 



 I just used spray paint and it took less than 30 minutes - super easy!

 

 

Try it out - go find something that you like the shape of and paint it a fresh, solid color.

 

I bet you'll love it at much as I love these now!

 





Thanksgiving Wreath

I have seen some really cute wrapped-style wreaths and thought that I would give it a go for Thanksgiving - never having attempted it before, this was all a learning experience for me.

 

I went and got a styrofoam wreath form, one skein of white and tan yarn, and some burlap decorative ribbon about 6 inches wide.

 

 

I measured and marked every 4 inches around the back and wrote a W for white and T for tan to show where each color yarn would be wrapped. 

I started at the back and used hot glue to secure the yarn to the form.

 

 

This is where I started to rethink this yarn wrapping idea -
while not at all difficult, it is time consuming. 

I did figure out about halfway through that if you double the yarn twice - (four strands at a time) - it goes 4 times as fast! (duh)  You're welcome.  :)

 

 

Here is a shot of the wreath fully wrapped (yay!), which my boys lovingly dubbed
"the Life-preserver".

 



 

I decided to add a burlap bow to the top and for some color I used large nails to push through the back of the form and then into some mini pumpkins that I had left over from Halloween.

 

 

 

Voila!

 



 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

 

Thanksgiving Mantle Preview

Just a little preview of the Thanksgiving mantle that is going up as we speak.

 

I found these 3 metal leaves at a charity shop for 99 cents each - bargain!

 

I have no idea what they were originally intended for, but thought they would look great as part of my Thanksgiving mantle.

 

They were, however, a bit too brassy for my décor.

 

 

I decided to spray paint them "pumpkin" orange although I wasn't very sure how they would turn out - I wanted them to look natural.

 

I ended up using only a thin coat, because the pattern below showing through a little looked really good!  See how you can just make out the lines?

 

(On a sidenote, my husband likes his garage to be clutter free, so he is forever recycling my cardboard to spray on.  So, yes - I did have to use a cork board square I had laying around to spray on and yes - I did spray the grass orange)

 

 

Here is the peek at the leaves up on the mantle - I am loving how they turned out!

 

What are you doing to get ready for Thanksgiving?

 

Cheaters Halloween Marshmallow Pops

Need a last-minute Halloween Treat?  Here ya go - super easy and fun! 
Best thing, the kiddos will love to help out!
If you're like me then you probably love a good cake pop.  If you're also like me, then you probably haven't ever attempted to make one.  ;)

 

I have a friend who makes AMAZING cake pops and I love the look of them - they are adorable!, but wanted something quicker and easier.

Bring on the Cheaters Marshmallow Pops!

   

These are about the easiest things to make, but I caution you because they are PURE sugar!

All you need are marshmallows, lollipop sticks, candy melts (I chose orange and black) and assorted Halloween sprinkles.

After topping the sticks with marshmallows, melt down the candy melts in the microwave and coat the marshmallow with the melted candy.

Then, add sprinkles to the still wet candy - they take a while to dry, so you don't have to rush.

 

Then just stand them in a cup or jar to dry.

 

This is a fun, easy project that looks cute and that the kiddos will love helping with making, but mostly with the eating!

Enjoy!
 

Halloween Mantle

I cannot tell you how excited I am that our new home came with a fireplace, because that means we have a MANTLE!  I am so excited for the decorating possibilities!

 

 

We moved in to the house in August, so this is my first crack at a holiday - Halloween.

 

 

I wanted it to be not too scary or gorey and since I was limited on time, most items were purchased as opposed to handmade (sorry, there's always next year!)

I used some stick on bats and black flowers (Michaels) and a pumpkin medallion and black glitter pumpkin (Target)

I also couldn't resist this "Keep Calm" sign from Michaels and tissue-paper circles (Target).  You can see a theme of where I shop!  I tied a Trick-or-Treat ribbon around a vase filled with tiny clementines for some more pops of color.

 

Finished it off with a netting and Happy Halloween banner.  (same stores)  :)

 

 

I love the way that it turned out!  Happy Halloween! 

 

 

Halloween Bug Wreath



 

 

 

My very first door wreath!  I wanted to start out simple so I wouldn't become overwhelmed and this wreath didn't disappoint. 

 

My inspiration:  link here

 

 

I started out with a plain wreath from Michaels (about $5), 7 packs of 8ct assorted bugs from the dollar store and a can of Valspar Color Radiance Flat spray paint in Silver Fox.

I sprayed the wreath down first to get good coverage and then added the bugs with a hot-glue gun.  Once they were all stuck on, I sprayed over the entire thing again making sure to paint over any visible color.  See Below (yes that is a diaper box drop cloth)

Fun bugs on the closeup - spiders, flys, crickets (not particularly scary, but you get the idea), roaches, ants, centipedes and a couple of praying mantises. 

 I added an orange bow and hung it on the door - success!

I love it when a project is quick and simple - almost instant gratification!

 

 

 

 

 Happy Halloween All!