Mantel Decor for Autumn

One project for a rainy Sunday around here turned into a complete mantel redo.

The idea of making a “burlap fire” post popped into my head over the summer.  At that time it was too hot for a burlap fire…even though it was fake faux. 😕

Today it’s cool enough for a burlap fire…and a mantel redo!!!

Click to read more and warm up to the fire…

I excited to be a part of the “Ushering in Autumn” Blog Hop.  That means you get more autumn ideas simply by clicking the links below.

Mantel Decor for Autumn

So sit back and enjoy collecting autumn ideas and we’ll “Usher in Autumn” together.

Starting with the burlap fire idea, I measured my “firebox” area of my faux mantel.

Then cut a square of burlap about 2 inches larger.

I used mod podge to glue the burlap to black card stock.  I didn’t have a large piece of card stock so a used six 8 1/2 by 11 sheets.  The mod podge stiffens the burlap and helps firm up the fibers.  This takes out wrinkles too.

Next, I drew fire on the burlap using charcoal pencils and pieces of charcoal.

My photography skills are so…unique!  Notice the burlap is a totally different color than the first picture.  These were taken moments apart and in the same location on the kitchen counter. 😕

Anyway, I’m in no way an artist, but I’m hardheaded and keep going until I get something like logs.

Here’s a link to my chalk fire.  Did you see the Santa butt??  That was actually easy to draw.

Now the rest of the mantel decor for autumn!  I had these ceramic pumpkins stashed away for about 5 years.  Today I decided they could come out but needed painted first.

The small pumpkin was painted with chalk-based paint called oatmeal.  If my oatmeal was this green, it would hit the trash.

The larger pumpkin was painted with a mixture of the green oatmeal, white and a gray.

The firebox area

The burlap fire was tucked into the firebox area.  I added height with old bare bone shutters.  I cut manzanita branches, removed the leaves and tucked them around the shutters.  Add some broken spindles…because I like old spindles.  Added the two newly painted pumpkins.  Plus the burlap scrap pumpkin.  Then added the rusty leaves I did on a periscope Thursday.

I will do a post on the rusty leaves later in the week too.

This spindle is one of my favorites.  I bought it at the Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market.  Which is happening again this next weekend!!!  Woot, woot.  I will be periscoping the shopping adventure!  You can follow me @countrydesignstyle-Jeanette.  The periscope app is free to download.

What is your favorite item on the autumn mantel?

Decorating Links Within Post
Scrap Wood Mantel
Chalk Fire
Burlap Pumpkin

Linking up at Concord Cottage

Now enjoy the collection below from the best DIY bloggers below.