Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Monday, September 17, 2012

Decorating The Mantel For The Autumn Season


I'm celebrating the beautiful

 season of Autumn

by decorating my fireplace mantel .


It is amazing the difference 
in theses first two photos.
The first one was taken at night
 with the candles glowing
and my camera set for low light
 long exposure, without flash.




 This photo was taken in the daytime, 
using full flash.
 In the first photo our living room 
wall looks like it is painted 
a bright deep yellow and in the
 second photo it looks white.
In fact the true color is 
a pale creamy yellow.




My decorating started with a circle 
cut from a scrap of fiber board 
saved from a window shipping crate. 
I used it last year (painted white) 
for a Christmas wreath
decorated
 with black & white family photos. 
  


But for this project I painted it black.




A few years ago I was in Wal-Mart about a week 
before Thanksgiving and they were putting out their 
Christmas decorations and all of their
Autumn decorations were marked 80 percent off.   
So I purchased quite a few bunches of leaves 
and little fake pumpkins.  
I find that they get dusty so I just 
hose them off with cold water 
and dry them in the dish drainer. 
They do just fine.


 
 
These wonderful wooden crows 
were a garage sale find at 50 cents apiece. 



I think my crows are so adorable!





My mantel is ready for the season
 and I think it will be 
beautiful through Thanksgiving.
  



I think I'll spend the rest of my afternoon
 curled up on the sofa with a good book, an afghan, 
a cup of coco, and my Butchy dog. 

How are you spending your day?


Remember to be nice to yourself.
Slow down and smell the roses, 
so to speak, 
and treat yourself to a 
little bit of quiet relaxation.

Connie :)

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70 comments:

  1. It looks lovely :)! Have a wonderful Autumn day.
    Maria

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  2. Hi Connie: LOve the mantel decorations. It looks so warm and inviting. I like your idea of a calm afternoon, but I have to go grocery shopping..Happy Monday..Judy

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    1. Hi Judy, well, hopefully you will be able to slice off one afternoon to just relax. Wishing you a wonderful week, Connie :)

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  3. Hi Connie, Great mantel! Autumn is my favorite time of year. Thanks for sharing...and I hope you have a good book to read. :)

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  4. You have such an artist's eye for line and color, Connie! I adore those crows, by the way. They look perfect there among the miniature pumpkins.

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    1. Hi Sara, and thank you . . . I kind of like those little wooden crows too. Have a great week, Connie :)

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  5. Decorating for Fall is such a beautiful idea! Why wait until Halloween. Fall is my favourite season so you've definitely inspired me.

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    1. Hi Nora, I think I am just really tired of summer . . . it has been so hot and dry this year. Usually I want summer to last all year, but not this time. I'm looking forward to cool nights and frosty mornings.
      Have a wonderful week, Connie :)

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  6. Hi Connie,

    Oh, I do love your wreath! The night time photo is beautiful! My walls in the living area are yellow also and it's so funny to see how sometimes they look pale yellow and then other times they are take your breath away yellow (in photos)!

    Thanks for your lovely comment about my cards. You should see some cards that are just loaded with embellishments - that's why I call mine simple!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, It is always a pleasure to hear from you. You are one of my first blogging friends . . . and you know what they say . . . make new friends, but keep the old, for one is silver, but the other is gold. Thanks for stopping by, my golden friend. Have a wonderful week, Connie :)

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  7. Oh, and I do love your garage sale crows!!!

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  8. Such a pretty mantel! You are really so talented.

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  9. that is lovely! i had grand plans for our mantels when we moved in here. alas, the cats had other plans!!

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    1. Oh my! I guess cats have no boundaries . . . Maybe if you have a black one . . . he can be your Halloween mantle decor, LOL. Have a great week, Connie :)

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  10. Hi Connie! I'm glad to see you are in the mood for FALL~~right into THANKSGIVING! Your mantel looks so lovely! LOVE those CROWS! What a FABULOUS FIND! I have been in the mood for FALL too and am starting to decorate/fluff my PORCH. It's NICE to hear someone say they are decorating for Thanksgiving~~~It seems to get overlooked. I LOVE the soft, serene look of your mantle in the evening time. I could see that being a PEACEFUL, QUIET time spending with Hubby or the LORD~~~enjoying LIFES SIMPLE MOMENTS! You have such sweet and creative ideas with the un-obvious. From one sweetie to another~~~~Roxie

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    1. Hello Roxie, I'll be looking forward to seeing what you do with your porch. It is such a beautiful porch anyway. I'm going to get out and start working on mine, hopefully next week. I don't do a lot, but it's fun to decorate around the front door. Have fun, Connie :)

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  11. YOur mantle looks great, it is so hot down here in Orlando, I have not yet gotten in the fall spirit...Soon I hope!

    Carol

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    1. Hi Carol and thank you for the sweet comment about my mantle. Hopefully your days will get a little bit cooler, but you do live in the sunshine state . . . you wouldn't want to get very cool.
      Thanks for the lovely visit, Connie :)

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  12. Love your mantel Connie, it looks very seasonal. We don't tend to do that here in the UK but I have made a seasonal table centre decoration that I'll post soon. I've been looking for some of those mini fake pumpkins for several weeks but the shops aren't stocking them yet but have managed to get hold of some Gourds. Have been foraging with the grandchildren for pine cones, acorns and horse-chestnuts. All good fun. Enjoy your week.
    Patricia x

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    1. Hi Patricia, going out with your grandchildren to gather pine cones and Autumn's natural decorating elements sounds like a lovely way to send an afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing your center piece. Have a wonderful week. Now that you are back in school, your days probably seem to speed by. Best wishes with all of your classes, Connie :)

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  13. Your mantel looks lovely. I thought everything was real, so very realistic indeed. I have some fabric pumpkins and some pumpkin candles so they will be on my mantel soon.

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    1. Thanks so much . . . it is fun to change things up for the different seasons. :)

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  14. I am so ready for fall! I've got a bag of fall flowers that need a good bath before I set them out..just waiting on the first nip of cold air to arrive.

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    1. It is amazing how nicely silk flowers hold up if you store them right and wash the dust off, LOL.
      Have fun, Connie :)

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  15. Dear Connie,
    Love the Autumnal wreath and especially love the crows!
    June

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  16. Okay, this post was probably not up your alley . . . but now you know how to clean silk flowers, if you should ever decide to go that route, :) Have a great day, Connie :)

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  17. Wow! Indian summer - really bursting with colors and a grand finale of the season! Christa

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  18. We dont celebrate the Fall like you do, but Churches and schools have harvest Festivals celebrating bringing in the harvest,although I think even this celebration is not as common now.The crows are wonderful and so fitting for your mantle decorations.

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    1. Hi Mary, It is always nice to see you and learn more about your traditions. I kind of like my little crows too. Connie :)

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  19. Your Fall mantle is gorgeous. Your wreath is beautifully created.

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  20. What a lovely Autumn display. I just adore those cute little crows and I really like the wreath you made (What a great idea!).
    I do miss thanksgiving, it isn't celebrated really here, but in Canada where my family is (and I am originally from), we would have a really nice day together all of us with a turkey and all the trimmings (plus a nice slice of pumpkin pie!).
    Magie x

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    1. Hi Magie, I know that it is an American born holiday, but I think a great holiday to grow world wide. It's a day for gratitude and we all have so much to be grateful for. Why not close the schools and businesses and be grateful together :)

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    2. Hi Magie, I know that it is an American born holiday, but I think a great holiday to grow world wide. It's a day for gratitude and we all have so much to be grateful for. Why not close the schools and businesses and be grateful together :)

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  21. What a lovely Autumn display. I just adore those cute little crows and I really like the wreath you made (What a great idea!).
    I do miss thanksgiving, it isn't celebrated really here, but in Canada where my family is (and I am originally from), we would have a really nice day together all of us with a turkey and all the trimmings (plus a nice slice of pumpkin pie!).
    Magie x

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  22. Hi Connie!
    Great Fall mantle decor!!
    Lucky find; those crows too.

    Hope you are having a wondeful week.

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    1. Hi Kerin, Thank you and here's wishing you a marvelous day, Connie :)

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  23. I love the blackbirds you incorporated into the vignette!

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  24. What a beautiful mantle. Thank you for showing your step by step processing. I love the crows as a wonderful addition to the upcoming season.

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    1. Hi there, and thanks so much for stopping by. I'm happy that you enjoyed my post, Connie :)

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  25. Connie, I love how you have decorated your mantle, and it is good to see it in both daylight and at night. What a difference! A beautiful display. Hope you enjoyed your book!

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    1. Hi Jackie, Thanks for the sweet comment and yes, it was nice to just have time to relax. My problem is when I'm all cozied in with a book . . . 50% of the time, I end up falling a sleep, but getting in a nap once in a while is a true luxury. Connie :)

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  26. Connie, I love your mantle. You are right the night photo was so warm . I love those little crows..50cents what a find. You are getting some miles out of the wreath too. Way to go. Smiles, Susie

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    1. Hi Susie, I'm already trying to decide what I can do with the wreath this Christmas. The options are limitless. Thanks so much for stopping by, I do enjoy your visits, Connie :)

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  27. What a difference between the day and evening photos! Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. This morning is quite chilly with a definite nip in the air and the evenings are drawing in leaving us to close the curtains early and klight the fire - wonderful.

    Tracey

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    1. Hi Tracy, Autumn is a beautiful time of year. I was raised in Indiana and our Autumns there were spectacular. I always think of Indiana this time of year. Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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  28. Funny to think you are heading into autumn and we are doing Spring....love your scene setting and that fire looks so warm and inviting ...is it real?

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    1. Hi Bron, and "Happy Spring" to you! No the fireplace is electric, it appears to flicker and flame (I don't know how they make it so realistic) and it has a built in heater. We get the feeling and warmth of a fire without the mess. Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Your blog will be a wonderful place to visit this winter. When I come in from shoveling snow off the sidewalk, I can enjoy your garden. Have a wonderful weekend. Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  29. Hi Connie! Your mantle turned out so pretty. I wish I had the gumption, but I only decorate for Christmas these days. Oh, another way to clean your decorative flowers is to spray them down with Windex and then let them dry. It works for the first couple of years.

    I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. We will be heading out to Topponish in an hour or so, going to another work reunion for Cary. I'm wondering how bad the smoke is going to be.

    Hugs,

    Kathy M.

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    1. Hi Kathy, Wow! every weekend is an adventure for you. Enjoy the murals in Topponish, they are quite wonderful and tell the story of the history of the Yakima valley area. You may already know this . . . but just in case it's your first visit. Have a fun trip, and I hope that the smoke isn't too bad. We have been waking to ash on our cars each morning, but we are still pretty far from the fires. Be safe, Connie :)

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  30. Super photos and post Connie,
    You have done a beautiful job on your mantle.. it looks stunning.
    Its nice to re organise and decorate for something new...this being the beginning of Autumn.
    Its still summer here. although i heard it might rain next week. It hasn't rained since may.
    I am going to do just what you have done... but with the fan on. A little bit of comfort and a film this afternoon.
    Best wishes for a great weekend.
    val xx

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    1. Hi Val, I hope that you had an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. Thanks for the sweet comment.
      Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  31. Hi Connie! I'm your newest follower! Thanks so much for the comment over at mine. It was fun taking part in the vintage fair and I'd like to do another. I have been looking through your blog and I love your positive attitude to life. Very inspiring!
    Your mantle display is very lovely. Although it's here, I'm trying not to think too much about Autumn. I don't want summer to end!
    Take care and have a lovely weekend!
    xx

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    1. I am delighted to have you as a follower and looking very forward to sharing ideas.
      Have a great weekend, Connie :)

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  32. Wow, what a great find on your fabulous crows! They work perfectly there on your cute mantle. Great tip on the flowers too! Thanks for your visit and sweet comments on my blog! :)

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    1. Hi Tracy, "Thank You" for your lovely visit and for deciding to follow my blog. I am over-the-moon, Connie :)

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  33. Hi Connie, Your autumn mantle turned out fantastic. I also wash my silk flowers, a home interior person told me to do that years ago, it works great.
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment. I am also now a follower of yours and look forward to getting to know you more.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Chrissy

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    1. Hi Chrissy, I am so excited to see you here and thank you so much for following. Very happy that you like my mantle. Connie :)

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  34. Hi Connie, great mantel decor, I love the little black crow - I gotta find me some - Happy Week to you!
    JoAnn

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    1. Hi JoAnn, it is always nice to see you. . . hope that your week is a very special one.
      Keep smiling, Connie :)

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  35. You look all ready for Autumn now, I think you've put me in mood to start welcoming it too.
    Thanks so mug for popping by.
    Kae

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    1. Hello Kae, thank you so much for visiting. I'm happy that I could inspire you to decorate for Autumn. It is such a beautiful season. Connie :)

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  36. That should read 'much'. My iPad is a nightmare with its predictive texting. Sorry :)

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    1. It is hard to not mess up once in a while with technical stuff. We all do it :)

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