I’ve got all of Halloween put away and the kids have forgotten about their buckets of candy for the most part! So for a few weeks we get to settle into Fall. There is a chill in the air now and the leaves have changed color. Well, the one tree in our neighborhood that changes color has! It is California after all!
The past year has been a rough one for my family but I try to make sure to be thankful for what we do have. So I decided to create a mantel to remind us to always Give Thanks!!! I wanted the whole mantel to be in warm neutral colors, covered with different variations of browns. Lots of different textures and finishes!
I started out with a bunch of dollar store pumpkins that I hadn’t used yet. They were all awful looking and needed a paint job stat (I think I must of picked the worst ones that they had). I grabbed my Heirloom White spray paint and gave them a facelift. Then the stems got a coat of brown craft paint.
I wanted to spell out the words “THANKS” on the mantel and decided using the pumpkins was a great way to do it! I didn’t have any brown vinyl so I decided to just cut out some brown cardstock with my Cricut and decoupage the letters onto the fronts of the pumpkins. I think it worked out perfectly!!!
I made the pennant banner out of burlap and strung it up with some twine. I used the same dark brown cardstock that I used on the pumpkins to create the “GIVE” on the banner. I tied the banner to a rough barn wood picture frame, I love the color and texture of it!
For some reason I thought that 6 pumpkins weren’t enough for this Fall mantel and it needed just one more. I used a craft pumpkin from Michael’s and painted it with the same Heirloom White as the smaller pumpkins. I placed it on top of an old rusty scale that I found in one of my treasure hunts. Love all the rustiness!
Last year I picked up this bundle of wheat at the commissary (that’s the grocery store that’s located on a military base, for you non military folks). Over a year later and the bundle had begun to fall apart, so I used a dark brown satin ribbon to tie it all back together.
I grabbed one of the many cream pitchers that I have lying around this house and put the wheat bundle in it. I placed the pitcher on top of a couple old tattered books. You also may notice that little ruffle there, it’s a strip of ruffled burlap that was leftover from another project. I just thought it added more texture and softness to things. Who couldn’t use a little bit of ruffle here and there???
I had that dark wood frame hanging around in the garage waiting to be used. I picked it up at a garage sale for a couple bucks and figured that I would paint it. I’m so glad I didn’t! It looks perfect up on the mantel in all it’s brown glory! I have to say I always have several picture frames just lying around at any given time waiting to be used in some way.
For not really knowing what I wanted to do with my mantel this Fall I think it turned out quite……awesome!!! I am SO in love with this whole thing!!! I absolutely LOVE how it all turned out!!! Can’t you tell by all the photos I took of it? There’s nothing wrong with doing a little photo shoot with your mantel is there? Well if there is, I don’t want to be right!!!
Linking up to these great link parties!!!
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While your here I’d love if you’d stop by Time to Shine Tuesday and link up what ya got!!! Or just stop by and check out all the awesome link ups!
SUPER cute mantle! Love it!
I absolutely love this arrangement, it’s perfect! Magazine worthy!
You did a great job. I love all of the texture – well done!
~Tami
Your mantle looks so pretty! I kind of skip right over Thanksgiving because we don’t have any real decorations for it. Now you are making me rethink!
Jeanine
Absolutely Beautiful! I bought some small gourds at the store yesterday and am planning to do something similar! Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this mantel! Unfortunately, I don’t have a fireplace in my house but if I did, I would totally copy everything you did! Great job!
i love it!!! the pumpkins spelling out “thanks” are awesome!
Super cute. Love those pumpkins. Great idea to add some lettering to them. Looks fab.
That looks totally lovely! I adore it!
Your arrangement is so pretty. That frame and the white pumpkins are perfect together. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Looks beautiful! Yay for Thanksgiving!
Absolutely wonderful!!!! Love the whole look, especially the pumpkin on the scale.
Very pretty display!
Your mantel looks so pretty! I love the simple colors. I really love the frame in the front! What a great color and shape! Thanks for sharing!
Jen
Courtney, Love the pumpkin’s collar, sitting on the old scale! It’s a very inspiring Thanksgiving mantel! I am ready to start decorating for the holidays and have taken down all of my fall things. I showed my last year’s Christmas mantel in my link. I need some new ideas for this year. 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
I’m featuring this on my blog tomorrow! I hope you’ll stop by and grab a button!
http://vintagemellie.blogspot.com
Looks very nice! I love the idea of what you did with the pumpkins!
This is done in such good taste! Love it,
Cecilia
Your mantel really caught my eye over at Allie’s linky, and I just had to come by to pay a compliment — such a beautiful Thanksgiving vignette! Picture perfect!
Jenn
Oh I really LOVE this! I have been trying to find some inspiration for some thanksgiving themed decor. Thanks so much for sharing! Its gorgeous!
I LOVE this!! The simplicity and the vintage scale are perfect. Great job! I just found you via TT&J’s Wrap-Up Party and I’m your newest follower.
Have a great weekend!
Laurie @ Gallamore West 🙂
Super cute idea…having each letter a pumpkin! I’ll be pinning your picture to do next year!
Your mantel is gorgeous!! Love the scale, I have one very similar in my kitchen. 🙂
I adore those pumpkins and it is quite clear that you have good craftsmanship because they look so pristine! Lovely!
Vanessa
http://lellaboutique.blogspot.com
What a wonderful Mantel display. I love everything about it! Such a perfect daily reminder to “Give Thanks”. Stopped over from The Shabby Nest – Frugal Friday party. AJ@queenofmynest
This is such a beautiful mantel!
Very cute!! I love every detail!!
I featured this awesome post today on my blog! 😉
http://www.betweenuandme.com
I love your mantle decorations. Everything is beautiful!!
Ruth
This mantel is gorgeous and I think I am equally in love! Everything about it is perfect. Pinning it to my For the Home Board! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Hi! I got a good smile out of your comment about one tree in the neighborhood that changes color. I am now a CA girl too…I totally git it. I went absolutely GIDDY last week when I looked out the door of Costco and there was a clump of trees in full colors of Fall! WOW! Unheard of!
I LOVE your mantel. I saw those pumpkins at the $ Store and passed by…I just might have to go back and give them another look. BEAUTIFUL!
Heidi@HomemadeBeautiesByHeidi
This is is so pretty. I featured it on my blog last night.
cornerhouseblog.com
I LOVE IT!!! I rarely see things that are, in my mind, perfect! This mantle is perfect. 🙂
I love the “THANKS” pumpkins! Will definitely be checking out the Dollar Store & Michaels for some pumpkins to transform! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I just saw this on Between U & Me. I love it! Beautiful, classic look – I love the white pumpkins, and that rusty old scale is awesome!
so gorgeous! Did you spray paint the pumpkin or paint by hand? What is the brand of paint you used? Thanks!!
This is gorgeous. Had to pin it; on my to do list officially. Great job!
Meredith From A Mother Seeking Come find me on my blog, A Mother Seeking…
These white pumpkins just scream stop and look! The scene is subtle and serene of course, but the pumpkins just draw you right in! Love it!
I love your mantel, the textures and simple colors!
I love everything about your beautiful mantle 🙂
Love the heirloom white and brown. Sumptuous for Thanksgiving 🙂
ADORE YOUR MANTEL. It looks clean and pretty. Simplicity at its finest. Great job. winks, jen
Love how you put the letters on the white pumpkins and also the ruffled pieces under the pumpkin and pitcher!
I love you mantel! I especially love the pumpkin sitting atop the scale. Thanks for sharing.
I featured this today! Come check it out and grab a button:)
http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/11/good-morning-sunshine.html
Nicely done!! This is gorgeous!!
I’ve been looking for ways to use my little fake pumpkins & gourds from the dollar store and this is perfect!!
Thanks for sharing!!
~Lisa
Lisa’s Craft Blog
Wow..looks amazing..Perfect turn out and soo festive for the season.. I would LOVE for you to please share it via my thanksgiving linky party pweease. – http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/thankful-for-food.html?showComment=1321294226362#c4607478653202832991 TY — wishing you an amazing start to your weekend..
Your mantel came out beautifully!! New follower here! Would love it you would stop by and share this at my linky party 🙂 http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/bedazzle-me-monday-8.html
Also, PRETTY PLEASE check out Random Acts of Kindness Week going on right now!! Would love to see you be a part of it! http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/kindness-and-thanksgiving.html
You are so good at creating beautifully styled areas in your lovely home. I love this! 🙂
Roeshel
This is gorgeous! Love it! Thanks for sharing! : )
Every detail is perfect!! I featured this post on my blog today. Here is the link:
http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2011/11/wednesdays-wowzers-all-about-turkey-day.html
Thanks for inspiring!
~Alison
Simple, elegant and relaxing. Perfect. 🙂
I saw this on the diy fall show off. I absolutely love it. everything about it. The ruffle under the pumpkin on a candlestick is perfect. The bunting for just give and then thanks on the pumpkins is genius. So pretty. Pinned it for inspiration. 🙂
Very beautiful! Every element goes together perfectly!
So nice stopping by!
Kindly, Lorraine
Just stumbled across your blog…I am in L-O-V-E with your mantel!! It is so cute every single element makes me happy. I had never thought of using old frames with no pictures to decorate. You just opened a whole new world of decor for my house!! Thanks. 🙂
Hi there, what a gorgeous mantle. I love it. It is so unpretentious. Thanks for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
Your whole mantel display is just beautiful! I adore everything about it!! I love the neutral colors and all the vintagy-ness. I like to use burlap a lot myself. The banner and the pumpkins are awesome! I found this post through Pinterest. I hope you don’t mind people pinning and re-pinning? I’m your newest follower. ~ Jamie
I LOVE how this looks! I’ve featured this mantle on my latest blog post! Stop by if you’d like, and take a look! http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2012/09/falling-for-fall-mantles.html
-Fotini
I just pinned this! Love the “give” banner and the stenciled “thanks”. Totally gonna try this. -Angela @ Mrs. White Twig & Tea
i wish you sold these pumpkins in your shop! LOVE them! looks so good!
http://www.andeelayne.blogspot.com
Love love love it.
Love love love it!
Hi! I was so inspired by this project that I decided to do one of my own! I have featured it on my blog along with your inspiration! You can see it here http://stylewithwisdom.blogspot.com/2012/10/harvest-time.html. Thank you!!
I love the pumpkins! Tres Chic!
I am totally in love with your fall mantel! Today I’m working on ours and putting away all the Halloween-y stuff. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
This is beautiful Courtney! I’m including you in a 5 for Friday: Thanksgiving Mantels roundup on my blog this week, with one pic and a link back to this post. Thanks for the inspiration!
I absolutely LOVE it!
Hi Courtney,
I host a weekly Inspirational Party called Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy and your fabulous project inspired one of my readers to create a beautiful gratitude mantle of her own!
I have featured her this week and since you are the source of her inspiration, given you a shout-out as well!
I love your project too, and would love for you to inspire us with your creativity each week at
Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com
Happy Thanksgiving to you! 🙂
Courtney – I wanted to let you know that I was so inspired by your mantel that I created my own version. It was featured at create-with-joy.com and she also featured you. Thanks for such an inspiring mantel!
Gorgeous mantel! I love the colors and textures that you used!
You are a genius! I copied your ideas and it turned out so cute! Thank you for the inspiration!
This is beautiful. I love it! The ‘THANKS’ pumpkins are my fav, although I do love the wheat with the ribbon and burlap ruffle. Thanks for sharing your creativity!! P.S. I ‘found’ you via Pinterest. 🙂
So lovely! Thought I’d let you know that I featured this on my Pinspiration day post!
http://madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/11/pinspiration-monday-tuesday.html
Have a great day!
-M
Thank you so much and what a beautiful round up!
There is always something to be thankful for….today I am thankful that I came across your post! It is absolutely beautiful!
Awe that is so nice Kris, thank you!
Hi Courtney,
This is so classy and simple and reminds us what Thanksgiving is all about. I just love it! I was wondering if you can tell me what font you used for the bunting and pumpkins. Can the heirloom paint and bunting be purchased at a craft store like Michael’s? Thank you!
Hi Rosemary, I made the letters with my Cricut cutter at the time and I think it was the “schoolbook” font. But I use my Silhouette now, but I’m sure there are lots of fonts similar out there. I buy the Heirloom White spray paint at Home Depot and I made the banner from burlap. But I know that some craft stores now sell already made banners. Hope some of that helps!!!!
Aww thank you Courtney for responding! I can’t wait to try it!