Fall Mantel Decorating (and free gardening services)

When I decorate for Fall, it often involves me offering free gardening services.

These services are selective, and are usually limited to removal of a branch or two of particularly spectacular Autumn abundance. Okay, and maybe a few bare twigs… for that just right accompaniment to some vignette or mantel scheme I’ve got brewing.

That perfect little something you can’t buy in stores!

Thank goodness for vacant houses and wide open spaces.

We’ve got a lot of trees on our property, which means that we get a lot of use out of our leaf blower (check out Thebestleafblowers.com to find the best ones). We will blow all the leaves into one area, then I will pick out the best ones to use for my display, and then the rest will go in the compost bin to decompose.

After digging out the best looking ones, I realize I’ve also got pine needles and cones galore. But those simply do not say “Fall”.

Now at Christmas, I’m flush.

I’m your girl.

Heck… I’m the Evergreen Queen!

Back to the season at hand though.

Fall.

Since I’m not ready to dive headlong into it.. it’s a simple mantel.

Never mind that I’ve already made a Halloween craft.. nothing to see there… move along. hahaha

A little copper glow, a metallic pumpkin…

My “made by mom” garland. (which I adore!!!!)

Some mercury glass twinkle. {hello sparkle!}

A vintage shutter.

And my, I have no idea what they are, but they weigh a ton, might be fishing weights, cement sentries.

… and of course natures splendor, the leaves.

I like to start with a blank slate, so I did.

I used Command Brand Mini Hooks (love the clear) to hold my fabric garland. If you visit often, you’ll know I’ve been using these little gems all over. They delight me! Everything I’ve asked them to do, they have.

Simply follow package directions and weight limits on any of the Command Brand hooks and you’ll be golden!

They are real easy to use. I’m not into fussy or complicated. Trust me! > no patience here <

I used these little babies to hang the art over the mantel. First time I’ve tired them here and I have plans to use them again at Christmas!!

A TEST: Just for the heck of it, I put one up, then took it back down to see if there would be any residue on the super-matte chalkboard wall. Nope. Nothing. You would never know it was there. That is a real test, with no shiny coating to protect the paint, I was impressed! I dig the no damage aspect of these. It cuts down on filling nail holes, and touch up painting every time you want to change something.

In the past, I often would not put something where I wanted it.. because I didn’t want to deal with the after.

Now, I’ll put anything – anywhere. It is so awesome!!!!

Just a little FIY for you, I’m a Command Brand ambassador. That means I get to try and share lots of the Command line with you. It’s important to me that I share real-life uses that we find for them in our home, and ideas for decorating with them that you might like. While I am compensated for the time I spend creating and sharing projects and ideas, please know that I only share things I think are of value, well made and useful! Decorating is a true passion and I consider it an honor and privilege that I get to do what I love for a living.

You can find the Picture Hanging Strips and the Clear Mini Hooks I used in this post on the Command website.

You can also visit Command on:

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

(these are great places to follow for free giveaways, new product information and more ideas!)

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As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by!!

Hope you found an idea or two that might make your decorating a little easier and maybe even more adventurous.

PS: Thanks to my partner in crime on this one. My mom! Not only did she make the scrappy fabric banner, she helped with the gardening and found the art that inspired the whole thing to get us in the mood. Mwah. Love you mom!!!!!! xoxoxo

SOURCE LIST:

• Amber Vase: Birch Lane
• Black Crow: Pottery Barn
• Copper Pot: HomeGoods
• Pumpkin: Ross
• Copper Vase: HomeGoods
• Art: Ross
• Cement Weights: Garage Sale – they were using them as books ends, had to persuade them to sell.
• Mercury Glass Pumpkin and Gourd: HomeGoods
• Shutter: Habitat For Humanity

PPS: Please note, no plants, shrubs or trees were harmed in the creating of this mantel.

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