Fall Mantle

I have officially completed my first holiday decorating project in our new home.  It feels good.  Really good.

I have been  inspired by many of the blogs I have perused lately.  I took what I liked, put my own touch to it, or lack thereof, and came up with this:

I had originally wanted to do a Halloween themed mantel but had trouble finding ideas that were not scary (ghosts, witches, etc.).  I must say that I am extremely pleased with the finished product.  I will be able to switch the Trick Or Treat letters with something more traditionally used for Thanksgiving when the time comes.

Now, for the close up.

I bought the small pumpkin at Target for $2.50!  I found it in their cheap bins, as you enter the store.  I just added an orange/black polka dot bow for that extra something.  Michael's had their basket's on sale a couple weeks ago and that is where I found for large, orange, pumpkin basket...for $5.00.  I came across a blog that gave me the inspiration for the damask pumpkin.  I bought a rather flimsy wood pumpkin shape at Michael's and used mod podge to adhere the scrapbook paper, and then added the bow (which, for me, really makes this look).  I used a vase I already had, and spray painted some twigs from our yard, to put together the "flower" arrangement (which I saw on another blog).  Great idea!

Again, another lovely Target $2.50 pumpkin.  For the wreath, I intended to use a stryofoam one, but they were over $10.00 at Michael's.  No, thank you.  So, I used one made from twigs, that I already had.  I bought 4 different types of ribbon at Michael's and went crazy, securing them with hot glue.

All in all, I think our mantel turned out well...for my first time!