This is the first fall mantle I have ever done.  Although I was blogging this time last year, this mantle in my family room was not yet installed (click here for that story).  True, I have a fireplace with a mantle in my living room but I don’t like to change it out.

I had almost everything I needed for this mantle on hand.  However, I did go out and buy some ribbon, a leaf-shaped candle and some silk leaves from Hobby Lobby.  I got a bag containing about a dozen or so leaves for $5.99.   For the leaf bouquet above, I twisted the wire stems around a ruler until I achieved the effect I wanted and then I anchored in a vase filled with pinecones.  I repurposed the gold fruit from an old Christmas wreath.

I usually have these green bottles displayed on the windowsill in my Craft/Laundry/Office space.  I am currently changing my gold frames for black ones.  I will keep a few around for props like this and donate the rest (well, I will probably keep a few of my favorites and spray paint them).  The garland is ribbon tied with raffia.  The letters are cardboard cutouts wrapped with raffia.  These four letters took almost my whole bag of raffia and about half a dozen glue sticks.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you come back soon.  Happy weekend everyone!