I got up this morning and decided I wanted to participate in a “Linky Party” at Sarah’s (Thrifty Decor Chick). If you are coming over from Sarah’s, please leave me a comment. I’ll do the same for you!
She’s invited bloggers to send links and photographs of their fall mantles. I knew I would go over and look at all of the mantles, so I thought “why not put mine in the mix?” Ugh. This created self doubt as I just walked around the house and used what I had for our mantle. I’d even already put it on the blog. (See post here) Is it good enough? I’m back in 4th grade wondering if I’ll get picked for softball! When does this go away?
So this morning, I looked around the house a little bit more and tried to think of how to improve the mantle. Here’s what must stay. The willow branches that my friend and cousin Terri gave me.
Gotta keep those cute little Mod Podge blocks and gourds from the garden…
The blocks are shabby and sweet and I turned them vertical. I’m also keeping that ivy. If you’ll recall, it’s in my blog header when it was a topiary. It was close to joining the compost pile in May when I sat it outside for a long summer vacation. It doesn’t look like a topiary now but I still like it.
I’ve removed the old picture and put up a painted window with pumpkins on it. Now that I think about it, that’s the only real change. Do you like it?
I stepped back and took a picture. Here’s the mantle..
It’s still missing something. Got any ideas?
I decided maybe it needs some black. I put the first picture I had on this mantle a few days ago back in place, and I returned the black homemade pumpkin (stuffed with Walmart bags and pinto beans). Here it is. Whew…it almost looks like it did when I started. Have I wasted the entire morning fooling with this?
The walking stick always stays. My husband had knee replacement surgery, and the night before, a 17-year old friend, Neth, called and said “Mr. Beaule, I’m praying for you.” In the following weeks, he made the walking stick for Mike. How many teenagers would take the time to do this? Not many. When I look at the walking stick, I think of Neth’s face. God has a special plan for that young man.
As always, thank you for visiting RiverCliff Cottage. If you made a trip over from Sarah’s, I’ll be coming over to look and ooh and aah at your mantle tonight! Can’t wait!! Hope you have a wonderful fall.
Eva
I am assuming only you see the comments. The mantle is nice; I do love the twisted branches from Terri.
I’m just sitting here looking at those branches….I’m going to have to go back and get more for the other mantle. She should sell those branches. To someone else. I want mine for free. Family discount 🙂
I love the pumpkin painting….I am trying to do this today, but I cannot get the orange that I want. Are you using a flat paint or a chalk paint for this?
Thanks for sharing! If you get back with me I will send a pic of my window when I am done. I live on the outskirts of a small town, 15 miles from the nearest Wal Mart, love it.
Hi Paula…that was done with an acrylic paint for glass, I think. I would LOVE to see what you do!!
Hi Eva, love your pumpkins. I painted some on wine glasses. My question is, did you paint them on the inside of the glass or the outside? I painted some snowmen on the inside of framed glass and liked that because the paint was more protected and I could put a cloth or paper backing behind it if I wanted.
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HI Barbara..
I did not paint those pumpkins on the window. My girlfriend did. She painted them on the outside. I’d never thought about protecting them, but that is a good idea!!
Thank you for stopping by.
Eva