This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Any supplies used may be given to me free of charge, however, all projects and opinions are my own.
Hey everyone! I told myself I wasn’t going to post my mantel this year, but then Barb over at The Everyday Home Blog started organizing a Fall Home Tour Blog Hop. I initially signed up for a craft, but you know me, It turned into something bigger! So today I’m showing you how to craft the pumpkins on my mantel, but I might as well show ya the whole mantel too! Special thanks to Barb for organizing. Please be sure to visit everyone and to come back each day to see a new theme, and 5 new bloggers!
So let’s get started!
My fireplace is a bit different, with the big bricks sticking out. I tell myself it’s more “traditional” with the red brick.
I started by hanging two different leaf swags that I found at the craft store.
I placed my old window frame in the middle, and made a printable to go in the frame in front (FREE download below!).
On one end I added two owls I had, a bouquet of fall flowers, and this fun candy corn style pumpkin! I will be providing a tutorial on how you can make this further down!
The other side has another painted pumpkin, and a basic black lantern with candles.
The bottom corner features flowers, a green ball jar, and a large acorn-esque figurine.
The other side features a raffia pumpkin and a mercury glass candle stick.
I really like the painted pumpkins, and they were so easy to do!
So let’s get started so you can make some too!
I started with 2 basic plain pumpkins that I picked up at the craft store. I used this Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint that I had on hand. I also used DecoArt Metallic Lustre.
I knew I wanted a candy corn effect, but just taping a round pumpkin for a straight line doesn’t work to well. So this is how I fixed that-
I placed a needle in the middle of the stem. I had tied twine to it, and also to another needle. I “drew” with the needle all the way around, and it worked great!
I then used a foam brush to paint on the first layer (I mixed some of the white with the orange chalk paint to lighten it). The first coat will look like this. The second smoothes out more.
Once the paint was dried, I applied the DecoArt Metallic Lustre like I did HERE. I love it so much! After it dried, I buffed it with a soft cloth so it would shimmer. I wish I could capture that better with my camera.
My smaller pumpkin I painted with the gray chalk paint. After it dried, I applied wax to give it some protection and to get rid of that flat matte appearance (I did the same with the light orange stripe on the candy corn pumpkin too).
Here is a close up of it on my mantel.
So what do you think? Pretty easy peasy huh! The cost of the fake pumpkins has really come down over the years, and I really enjoy decorating them! I hope you do too!
And now for that free download!
The print is a 5x7, but will be on a regular sized PDF page.
This is what it looks like:
and you can download here:
I hope you have enjoyed stopping by today! I can’t wait to see all the other creative things my fellow blogging friends have crafted! Be sure to check them out!
Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says
Love your mantel, Sara! I spy a cute owl that I also purchased as a gift to my DIL for fall! Thanks for the printable!!!
Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says
I love your taste and style. You have such a fun way to decorate your mantel. The leaf garlands are adorable! Pinned and shared 🙂
Happy Fall, my friend.
Jeanie Hevener says
Your mantel looks lovely, Sara! I love how the painted pumpkins look! Pinning!
TheKimSix Fix says
I love the pumpkins! And you know my strange over-affection for seasonal mantels! LOVE! <3
MrsMajor Hoff says
Thanks Doreen! I just love that owl 🙂
Richella Parham says
Your mantel looks lovely! And I just love the candy corn pumpkin. I'm a candy corn fan from way, way back. . . I have to restrain myself from eating pounds and pounds of it!
Thanks for the tip about using a string and pin to get the lines on the pumpkin. What a great idea!
Anne says
Your mantel looks fabulous!!! Love your pumpkin,thanks for sharing that handy tip too!
Karen Cooper says
Looks beautiful! I love the garlands - so fall-y!!
Julie's Lifestyle says
Your mantel looks so pretty and festive for fall and Halloween!
Thanks for sharing how to paint the cute pumpkins at Monday's Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
We hope to see you again.
Julie xo
Jess says
This all looks so great! 🙂 How fun and inviting! 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Mom says
I love all the fall leaves in your fall decor!
One More Time Events says
Your Mantel looks great...love the pumpkin ver cute!
Sondra Lyn says
Really pretty! My fave is the candy corn pumpkin - what a creative idea, girlfriend!! And the tip to get the lines straight on a bumpy pumpkin? Pure genius!
Vanessa says
I love your fall mantel. How beautiful and the colors are just perfect. Lovely and enjoy touring with you.
Cathy McInnes says
I love the pumpkin, I love the sign!!! Love all this creativity!!! 🙂 Thank you, thank you so much for sharing this on Making Memories Mondays!! I am so glad that you came!
Cathy
Heather SettingforFour says
Love all the cozy fall colors on your mantel! The candy corn pumpkin is so creative! Pinning!
Sahana Ajeethan says
Love your mantel. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty . We would love to have you again next week.