enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Mantle

Paul and I went to a local pumpkin patch this past weekend and picked out a big pumpkin for carving and a few smaller ones for decorating. I could have spent hours walking around (and bought many, many more pumpkins) but that's why I have Paul…he tempers the crazy.

Mantlegarland

When we got home, I got out our boxes (we have just two) of holiday decorations, hoping to find some candles. I had forgotten about those orange ones and I was excited to find a fabric and paper garland I made a few years ago by sewing freehand cut circles together with my sewing machine. Happily, it matched my felt wreath and was just the right size to drape around the frames on to the mantle.

Mantle5
Mantle3

Saturday, anticipating autumn decorating, I wrapped a glass jar and bottle in black and gold yarn (just like the black and white ones) to create a few more simple vases. I wanted something pretty neutral so they will work for autumn, but will also get me through Christmas (imagine them with red flowers!) and technically could stay out year round.

Mantle4

All that was missing were some flowers, and our farmer's market this weekend had huge bunches of orange ones for $3. I trimmed the stems and tons of leaves to create cute little bunches. Flowers make everything better, for sure.

Mantlefull

At the end of October, I'll switch it up a bit (probably just with different color flowers and candles) to make it more Thanksigiving-ish (we are hosting this year so I have a real reason to decorate) and then I'll change it again for Christmas. By January first, I'll be more than ready for a clean slate, but right now, it's pretty fun.

ps… here's that ampersand tutorial.

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15 responses to “an autumn mantle.”

  1. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Super cute! I have a question… When you go to use the vases you’ve made, do you ever have any issues putting stuff in them because they are so thin at the top? And do you have them filled most of the time, or are they usually empty and on display? I’ve been thinking about making 1 or 2 for here, but wonder what I could put in them to stop them looking too plain.

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  2. Amanda Avatar

    And now I wish I had a mantle to decorate! I actually did last year, when I lived in a university-owned house with 4 roommates. We decorated it at Christmas but now I’m wishing I had taken better advantage of it!

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  3. CarlyMaria Avatar

    I loooove this. I’m such a fan of filling up my wall (and mantel) space. The garland ties everything together perfectly!

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  4. Pink Ronnie Avatar

    Love what you’ve done, and I agree with Amanda – makes me want to have a mantlepiece!
    Ronnie xo

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  5. Katie Avatar

    So cute! I’m with the other girls – I want mantle now! And I’m dying over those orange flowers!

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  6. Linda B Avatar

    That is just beautiful. Mantle Makeover Weekend is just three days away!

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  7. elise blaha Avatar

    They fit just a few stems each. Often, I leave them empty on the shelves. 🙂

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  8. Michele H. Avatar

    gorgeous colors elise! love the flower arrangements.

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  9. Mickey@EuroAmericanHome Avatar

    Your mantle looks so nice and natural. So nice to see a mantle decorated with no junk plastic pumpkins.

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  10. Skye Avatar

    Gorgeous! I miss the mantle from my last apartment. You’ve reminded me that I REALLY need to get on my fall decorating. I can’t believe October is 1/3 over already. Fall is my favorite season and I love fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations more than winter/Christmas ones!

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  11. Lucy Avatar

    I’ve been thinking it’s about time to fix up our mantle with some fall love. This is good inspiration; thanks for sharing!

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  12. sophie Avatar

    i love that you’re able to blend what you already have up on your mantle with every upcoming holiday!

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  13. Diane | An Extraordinary Day Avatar

    Love all the color and textures!!

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  14. J3SS1C4 Avatar

    Thanks for replying, Elise 🙂

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  15. Rae Avatar

    I love to see someone else changes their mantle often…and then LONGS for the clean and simple after a bit of holiday cheer…….!

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