Fall Mantel & Garland Inspired by Nature

Decorating our Mantel is something I look forward to every season and holiday! Even though I loved last year’s Fall Mantel, I wanted to change it and bring more of the outside in. By adding a few natural elements that we found on a walk through the County Park, it all came together nicely.

Next to the Christmas Mantel last year, this Fall Mantel is my favorite. I love all the different colors, and how well they blend, but provide a little pop of color as well.

I started by creating the garland from items that I had on hand and we gathered at the county park.

The silk leaves were from an old garland from years ago, that I had been taking the leaves off to use on other decorating projects. The hydrangeas and the pods are from our yard, the berries, Indian Corn and artificial gourds were left over from the Fall Garland from last year. I found the raffia in my stash of craft supplies and we gathered the pine cones at the park.

Then using wire and my hot glue gun, I started adding the extra elements. I started with the largest items, the hydrangeas, it’s always good to add odd numbers. Then I filled in with the pine cones, pods and Indian corn. The raffia was cut into about 6 inches pieces, wired together in a little bunch, twisted and glued in place. After I thought it was just about full, we hung it on the Mantel and then added a few other items that I didn’t take a picture of with the other supplies. Some blackseed grass, the long feathery plant and a few curls of ribbon were wired in.

Then it was time to start building the rest of the decorations.

The wood came from a tree that had fallen down at the county park.

Then I added the wreath, some berries and a little raffia. Stay tuned for a tutorial on the wood display.

The large white pumpkin at the other end to balance it all out.

Mr. Scarecrow welcomes friends and family to our home!

This hurricane was filled with berries and a few clothes pins. I was inspired by Melissa from The Inspired Room, but she used apples instead of the berries. It’s kind of random…but I love it!

We gathered the berries from a Viburnum Bush at the county park.

This cool old lantern adds a little character and the red color is perfect too.

Time to fit in the smaller items, the grapevine tree adds height and interest. And the star pumpkin sign screams Fall!

Another little wooden pumpkin got tucked in too.

Even though the Garland is large, I really like it better than some of the small ones I have done. I think the size of the Mantel and with all the white, needs something that covers the front and grabs your attention.

So what do you think? Which part is your favorite?

Linking to…Show & Tell Friday