Mandy Jean Chic: 9/25/11

Saturday, October 1, 2011

My sad sad sad mantel

This fall has been alittle hard for me to start decorating. Mr and I are getting ready to start our fireplace project. We are adding stacked stone from the floor to the ceiling. I love the look of a grand fireplace! We have slowly taken everything off the mantel and yesterday I couldn't take it anymore. We can't start our fireplace project until the middle of Oct due to work schedules so I grabbed what left over fall decorations I had and this is the end product.

It is not the perfect fall mantel that I love and adore but it will due for a couple of weeks. Everything was free or a re-use.

Candle Holder my Grandma bought me a few years ago. Tossed some left over leaves, mini-gourds and small Indian corn inside.

Extra glass container, left over pinto beans, mini pumpkin and extra scarecrow. Also, my favorite stuffed moose I've had since I was a kid.

Empty vase stuffed with left over flowers and an extra scare crow.

Again.. not my favorite mantel but atleast I have alittle fall spirit!!

This was our fireplace when we first moved in.

SOURCE

This is similar to what we will end up doing

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Fall Floral Arrangement

I have been decorating this afternoon as was in the mood for a new arrangement. I need some fall color on one of my end tables in my living room. I am not afraid to admit this... I have an accessories problem... There I said it. I have bins in my craft room FULL of accessories for my homes. Candles, candle holders, knick knacks, arrangements, pillow covers... you name it.. its in there! I am a serial decorator!

Today I rummaged through my bins and pulled some some pieces to make a quick arrangement with. :) It was like Christmas!

#1- Find cute vase, candle holder, or whatever you think would be cute with flowers arranged in it. My Grandma bought me this candle holder a few years ago.

#2- It save space I usually put a smaller glass or jar to use for water and to help keep the flowers tighter.

#3- I filled the space between the two with pinto beans. I loved the color and texture.

#4- Separate all your bunches of flowers. It makes it so much easier to arrange when they are cut apart. This involves wire cutters.

#5- Create your arrangement. I love arrangements that look natural and are not perfect. I like varying height and colors.

All together this arrangement cost me less than $5. All the flowers are dollar store flowers. I used maybe a cup of beans and the candle holder was a gift. :)

Linked up with:

Between Naps on the Porch

The DIY Home Sweet Home Project

Making the World Cuter

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Laugh, Love and Craft

Passionately Artistic

Sew Much Ado

A Creative Princess

Beyond the Picket Fence

Delightful Order

A Glimpse Inside

Blissful and Domestic

Saved by Suzy

Every Creative Endeavor

Fall Wreath 2011

Every year I get very excited for fall. I LOVE this time of the year! Due to the worst cold I have ever had I am about 2 weeks late in decorating for fall this year. Bummer... I know...

I needed a quick and "frugal" wreath this year for fall. I ALWAYS check out the dollar and thrift stores for quirky and cool stuff. This year I decided I was going to make my wreath with EVERYTHING from the dollar store (except my straw wreath). I have many straw and vine wreath forms stocked in my craft room. I wait for sales and buy a few every time. You never know when a girl may need a wreath!

#1- Wrap form in twine. You could use the straw if you wanted but I like the look of both.

I let the straw peak through a little. I think it gives it some texture and breaks up the color of the twine.

#2- Buy cheap dollar store wreath and remove super cute little scare crow from it.

#3- Twist together leaf bundles.

#4- Once wrapped bend steam to the back of the leaf. It will give support and you won't have to use your wire cutters :)

#5- Cut Styrofoam pumpkins in half very carefully!

#6- Start hot gluing leaves, scare crow and other decorations in place.

TA DA!!! A wreath that took about 10 minutes and cost less than $10 (with the straw wreath form)

As you can tell I am still battling my HOA on painting my front door. UGH... Also... There is a reason why my wreath is slightly off center. My scare crow blocks my peep hole. :(

Linking up with:

Creating My Way to Success

C.R.A.F.T

Singing Three Little Birds

The DIY Show Off Blog

J&M's Eye Candy

Boogieboard Cottage

Sew Many Ways

Under the Table Dreaming

Between Naps on the Porch

Keeping it Simple

Sew Can Do