Friday, October 24, 2008

Show & Tell Friday! - Fall Mantel

Show and Tell

For other Show and Tell Friday posts please visit Kelli at There's No Place Like Home


Last year Target had some fall planters that had twigs and things in them and I really wanted two for my mantel. But you know they were a crazy price (I find all their wreaths and faux arrangements extremely overpriced)! So I waited for them to be on clearance. Well the first markdown was hardly anything. So I decided to wait some more. Apparently other people are happy getting 15% off because they were gone the next time I went! Fast forward to this year, they have them again. But I decided to make my own. I was just going to use twigs from my river birch but I happened to be in Michael's and they had their fall dried bouquets marked down by 60% to $3.99. I bought two bouquets, trimmed some thin branches off my river birch and reused the planters I already had.




Eight dollars beats the ridiculous price they were going for at Target and the Target ones were in terra cotta pots.



I bought my plaques last year at the end of season and you want to know what. They have the same things this year!





I also made those planters this spring. I saw a picture in some magazine where they had these beautiful huge harlequin planters on a mantel and I loved the look. I had similar style planters only mine were much smaller in size and a bit rusty!



I sanded off the rust and sprayed them grey. Then I took some harlequin scrapbook paper and used the planter to trace the shape. Glued on the paper and went over the top with some modge podge.





They've held up really well and everyone always comments on them and can't believe that's paper! You could do this with some checkered contact paper or if you're good at painting just paint on the checks.

I didn't do a thing with my china cabinet yet! It got really cold and I got distracted with finally putting up some decorations outside since it's finally feeling like fall around here and then I wanted to do my mantel. Hopefully, I'll have time to work on it this weekend.


53 comments:

Suzann said...

Love it! Happy Friday!!

Hootin Anni said...

Are you kidding me? I'm sure...no, positive YOURS are better than Target's!!!

My show n tell is finally posted on the hub...come on over if you can find time. Happy weekend to you too.

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Looks great, Manuela! Have a great weekend.

Kathleen Grace said...

I find that if you take a good look at the things you like, more often than not you can get the look for lots less by scrounging up the goods yourself. Those look really beautiful, planters and arrangements, and the price can't be beat:>)

Anonymous said...

I like your planters! You had a great idea and they came oout so well!

Anonymous said...

Manuela,

Your harlequin containers are just beautiful! They look like something that would cost $50 or 60in some exclusive shop. Great job! If you ever get tired of them, I'll send you my address. LOL

Gretchen

Unknown said...

Beautiful mantle - especially love the pumpkin patch sign.

Thanks for sharing.

Pamela said...

Great items and there's nothing better than being able to get bargain prices!

Screaming Meme said...

Great job!...I love the turkey sign...Oh, I hand drew the letters...But I think if you can't draw good....Id do a stencil( or make a stencil)....But even if you drew it and it wasn't perfect, it would be perfect...do you know what i mean? I hope your weekend is filled with family and friends...Oh, I wanted to ask...do you go on Hot Coupon World? I just started...Im lost and Im trying to learn how to save on groceries...I know how good you are...Any tip you have for me? meme

Anonymous said...

Really cute ideas and loved the
idea for the planters. Need to
make a list of all the things I
need to look for when I can find
them cheap.

Fran said...

I have been lusting (can I say that?) over your planters every time I see a photo of them! I have several of these planters in my "inventory" (cough, cough!) and will get those things out today and redo them to match yours. I love your blog!

Fran

Missy Wertz said...

As usual M. Beautiful job!

Vee said...

Your creations add so much height and focus to the mantel...it's wonderful! (I remember when you did the harlequin project...they look perfect in this setting, too.) I LOVE the Homegoods store and one can't beat $2 for a sweet little seasonal sign.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh your pots are darling. I LOVE the paper! Thanks for the sweet comment this morning!

Anonymous said...

Manuela...I love the harlequin paper on those....and I love mod podge!!!! Great project...I am still looing for harlequin paper to copy your pumpkin idea!!!! Have a great weekend.

Constance said...

You sure are one crafty gal! That looks fabulous and the price is even better! I like that store too! I am loving the change in weather here and it's nice to not run the A/C any longer! I am in the mood to head out to Hobby Lobby here in a bit to look for some things to watch for AFTER Halloween!

Last week I shared about my Grandma's trunk, the "before restoration" photos. I got it back and I have posted its transformation on today's S&T.
Connie

kahlanne said...

I love your mantel. The tins are fabulous! I wish I had some laying around!

Anonymous said...

Your planters look great! What a good idea. I love Mod Podge things. Have a great weekend!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Love those sticks! I'm really into sticks lately too. and I remember when you did those harlequin planters, love those. I've got a couple similar that need a new look and I just might borrow...steal your idea!

Salmagundi said...

It is amazing what good bargains can be found with patience!! Have a good weekend. Sally

Paula said...

Dear Manuela,

Your mantle looks so beautiful! I love the arrangements you made and the containers you covered in paper! You did a great job! Very inspiring as always!
Have a good weekend!
Paula

Anonymous said...

Love it Manuela! It's amazing how you can often create a better treat for yourself than buying it ready made off the shelf! It looks so good and ever so much better! :) I do remember your pots that you fixed up from before. They are so versitile and fit all of the seasons just by changing your arrangement. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend!
Jen

Anonymous said...

Really... lovely Manuela... I love the simplicity of dried sticks and they look so classy on your mantel.... lovely fall but not too orange.....
HUgs
Linda

Alice said...

Wow! Your mantle looks awesome! What a great job you did with decorating! I am always amazed at the things one can do with scrapbook paper :). Thanks for sharing. And thanks for your comments on my blog - the shadow of the cross. I appreciate it. Have a great weekend.

Carla said...

WOW! Great eye-Love your mantel, thank you for sharing today!

Sue said...

Love your mantel....Have a good weekend and stay dry and warm...my lawn was seeded yesterday so I'm grateful for the rain....saves on the water bill that Cobb has decided to raise the rates by 38%!!

Jean said...

Yout mantle looks great! Love the planters with the dried materials.Don't you love saving money and making something out of old junk? Perfect! Jean

Lois Christensen said...

I actually stopped by here earlier in the day and loved all your decorations! Thanks for visiting my blog!

Mimi Sue said...

Gosh, Manuela, you are the cutest. Love the harlequin planters. What a great idea. I'm looking around for something to mod podge. Mimi

GlorV1 said...

Manuela, I love all of it. Your planters and arrangements are very nice. I love the mantle. Thx for sharing and have a great weekend.

Lisa Cobler said...

You did an awesome job on those. Everything looks beautiful.

Lady Katherine said...

The mantle looks wonderful. I loved the planters with the apples, but they look beautiful with the cattail. Looks like they came from the florist.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

They look wonderful Manuela! I love that you recreated something and made it even more terrific than the original!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Those came out great!!!

Mrs. Homemaker said...

I love modge podge! Very useful stuff. Although, if your kids happen to dump it on the textured linoleum floor and follow it with several pots of glitter, it takes 2 years to figure out how to get it all off!

I find that when I make stuff myself, or makeover old stuff I have lying around, I love displaying it so much more. Love the mantel!

Grandma Faith said...

Great creativity! Your mantel looks wonderful.

Hootin Anni said...

I'm back...I left you a Halloween Treat for you on my Saturday blog issue...come on over!!!

Happy weekend to you.

Anonymous said...

Cute.

Have a nice week0end,
Kathy :)

Anonymous said...

Great post. So many times you can make your own decorations much cheaper and they are actually better, but then again, sometimes they get marked down so much that you couldn't make them for that price. Sounds like you made some wise decisions.
Charlotte

Being Mrs Miles said...

This looks SO cozy. How clever of you to be frugal yet make your place look like a million.

thanks for sharing, I feel richer for having visited you.

~ Barb

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

That looks great! I really like how you covered the planters.

Katherine

Linda C said...

Great job on the planters- and so frugal. I love it!!
~Linda C

Tammy said...

Sigh. I want a mantel. Then would you decorate it for me? I love what you did with yours!

momof4azkids said...

You always have such great ideas for decorating.I love stopping by for inspiration. Have a great weekend!!!

Susie Homemaker said...

What a beautiful display...will you come work for me...I always need someone with a good eye!

Great job!
Susie

Angie said...

I am totally going to copy your harlequin planters! Your mantel looks great!

Anonymous said...

Manuela,

Lovely decor!!! Thanks for visiting my show and tell - it's always nice to meet a fellow dish-aholic! ;) Something about those dishes -- they just seem to always call my name, and I am sure yours too! ;)

Unknown said...

Oh, iam so gonna copy you on those planters, love them. mishelle

Rue said...

It all looks gorgeous Manuela! I love those planters and that sign. Have a great weekend :)

rue

Lady Katherine said...

You made me laugh, about eating pop tarts. Around here you take what you can get. But the strawberry perserves makes it better. Hubby still doing most of cooking, well he's learning. I am planning to do a cake, on a good day. If I put something in the mike, my grands are so use to me being sick that they say you did that Granna, I get to tell them Who I was and going to be, they are amazed That I cooked, cleaned,build things, paint,rode 4 wheeler, tractor, drive a car. Oh well normal things. I am better I been in therpy for a month. I am trying to hold off surgery. But go for MRI next week. Being in test for several weeks now.oh how boring, I'd rather talk about pop tarts lol I do have scones in freezer, my daughter helped me make.

Nancy Rosalina said...

I can't believe it! What a good idea!

Kelli said...

They are gorgeous and your fireplace looks so nice for the season! I always think the same thing when I see similar things at Target...so expensive. The ones you made are way better!
~Kelli

Kathy said...

Your planters are beautiful, Manuela! Love your plaques too - great bargain. Wonderful post...Kathy