A Little of This, A Little of That

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

My weekend was filled with a little thrifting, a little creating, a little socializing and a little bit of relaxation.

This weekend when I hit the thrift store I was keeping my eyes open for things I could use for my Fall/Halloween mantel display.  My plan is to decorate this year with a more neutral/natural palette with a little bit of the traditional orange and black mixed in.

I already have some things on hand.....old books, cabinet cards and burlap (I found 4 yards of burlap at the thrift store last week.  I guess the person who donated it doesn't read blogs to know how hot burlap is right now).

Here are some of the things I found this weekend while shopping that will also get incorporated into the mantel:

A wonderful, old, chippy white basket that will be filled with twigs or pine cones.  I think I'll make a banner to hang from handle to handle.

Three large spools.  I'm going to place small pumpkins or gourds on top of each spool to add some height to the display (the larger spool

is going to get repainted black). 

Some vintage bottles.  I need to visit the Graphics Fairy to get some wonderful old Halloween graphics to decorate these.

And an oval frame that I already spray painted black.  I have a wonderful bird silhouette from a 1925 book that will be perfect for the frame.  I'm going to scan the page, clean it up and remove the words before I frame it.  I'll post it once I get the scan finished in case any of you would like to use the silhouette in a project.

So that's what I have so far.  I don't plan on decorating the mantel for a few more weeks but it's nice to have everything ready!

My creative time this weekend yielded 10 more skeleton photo holders (almost finished)

and two small "Key to my Heart" framed pieces I created using vintage frames, crocheted hearts and keys that I have found while thrifting.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Jane