Halloween Mantel {Better Late Than Never}

I'm currently on vacation from my day job and playing some serious catch-up on the blog front. I've also been working on new items for my Etsy shop and will be getting some new stuff listed soon! It's been awhile since I focused on my creative passions, and this little break has been a much needed refocus for my soul...

 

Anyway, I decided just to give you a quick glimpse at what the bungalow looked like this Halloween and some of the activities Preston and I did. I'm still using my phone for all of my photo needs, so bare with the horrible quality. Thank goodness for PicMonkey!

 

 

 

 

I used $1 items from my local grocery store in the garland. The gray netting was $1, and so were the set of four skeletons. I had the black ribbon on hand and reused my burlap Christmas garland from last year...

 

 

 

The black paper bats were from the Dollar Tree and so were the black rats and tomb stones. Everything else I gathered around the house. I probably could have made the bats, but the $1 in cost was worth the time savings for me!

 

 

 

 

Using vintage bottles, I wrapped the tops with jute and filled them with dried beans.

 

 

 

 

Instead of carving pumpkins this year, we just painted the few that we got at the pumpkin patch. Preston had a trip to Michigan with my parents right before Halloween, and my work schedule didn't allow for it. I was a little bummed not to carry on the carving tradition, but I've learned over the last year and a half that I can't do it all. I've had to let go of some things, and while I'm getting better at that every day, it's still a personal struggle.

 

 

 

 

He doesn't appear to be "missing out" any, so I must not be doing a half bad job!

 

 

 

Crystal xoxo

 



Spring Mantel

My spring mantel is complete, and it's ready for it's debut! I am rushed for time though, so this post will be more pictures and less talk...BIG surprise. I know.

Keep in mind that I STILL don't have a "proper" working camera, so ALL of my blog pictures are being taken on my iPhone and edited at Picnik.com {OMG! What are we going to do when they close in April?!}



Not much was invested here. The felt egg garland was purchased for $3.99, and the adorable white bunny was originally $9.99 {but I had a $5 gift card} at Target. The sequins eggs were bought at Hobby Lobby for around $.60/each. They originally had sticks, but I snipped those suckers off and used them as filler in my little milk glass dish. I love that little dish {originally $3 antique mall purchase}.

The topiaries were clearance Pier 1 finds {$29.95 each-plus extra $10 off coupon}. This is something I would normally consider a splurge and not necessary, BUT I have been on a mad topiary hunt for over a year now. From what I've seen, finding them under $30 {for their sizes} was a steal!

I still struggle with decorating the DVD player. It has to go there, and the cords have to go there {because I don't want to drill holes in that wood}, so if ANY of you have an ideas...I'm all ears! I kept the candle holder from my Valentine's Day mantel, but I just changed the candle colors. I had some pastel tea lights on hand, so it was an easy update.

That about wraps it up. It's simple, but it has enough presence for me and will be SUPER easy to take down {always a plus for us busy mommies}. I'll leave you with a larger view of the entire wall, only if you promise not to pay too much attention to what's inside those built-ins. I have BIG plans {and all the supplies} for that DIY. I just need to find the time...

Happy Spring

Valentine's Day Mantel

Love is in the air, so I added a little sugar to our mantel...

Isn't this felt garland from Pier 1 to die for?! It was less than $6 too!

To create this simple arrangement, I {mostly} just shopped around the house. The milk glass vases were already there, so I added the milk glass candle holders. Next, I threw in my favorite little repurposed owl {from my Halloween mantel}. Then, I went to Target and bought three packages of those red and pink heart containers from the $1 section. I popped those puppies into two clear cylinder vases, and I was done! That's a $9 investment! Not bad...

I sort of hate that the TV is over the fireplace, because it really limits my decor possibilities. Putting this candle holder on top of the DVD player helps balance the color and helps hide the cords behind. I took it from my bedroom and added some of my red clearance Christmas cinnamon candles inside. 

Aside from this quick mantel job, I also started on my living room photo gallery. This project has been brewing in my mind for awhile, and it's been really rewarding to watch it come together! I still need to fill the frames, but this is what I have so far...

The hanging phase was a two step process. I thought I was done with the "before" picture, and then a light bulb came on, and I remembered I had been saving those vintage key plates. They came from an old door within our house {that was beyond repair}, and I think they balance the arrangement perfectly!

The idea for the picture hangers came from Pottery Barn...

They're asking $24/piece for theirs, BUT I got my curtain tie backs on clearance from Lowe's for $2.97/piece! Pretty sweet knock-off. Don't cha think?!

I have to give a shout out to Pamela from PB&J Stories. She is the fabulous artist behind my little "be happy" sign. If you have to get your hands on your own, visit her adorable Etsy shop and fill your basket with PB&J Creations! You won't be sorry, I promise!

See what I mean...

This post has been linked...