Back to School Mantel

It's getting close to that time.

The time for school to start.

Honestly where did the summer go?

(some days it didn't go fast enough)

The 6 year old is excited about going back.

She actually complained about NOT being in school

I am serious.

The hysterical crying complaining.

She loves it that much.

So we decided to spruce the Mantel up.

This was fun to do.

I decided to do a countdown since the 6 year old can't wait to go back.

She is loving getting up in the morning and looking at the number of days left.

I found some great printables.

US Map and Star Constellation found here

ABC Flash Cards found here

Banner and Flag Tags found here

Cabinet door made into a chalkboard

(and I didn't use chalkboard paint...tutorial to come)

Background is my Dictionary Page Covered Canvases.

I used a pant hanger and washi tape to hang prints.

Stacked books and Jars filled with school supplies.

(don't you just love the smell of new Crayola crayons?)

and random other things I found in my stash.

Its a nice change from my Summer Mantel

Then of course we get to decorate for Fall after this.

Back to School always makes me think of Fall

My favorite time to decorate.

Are you ready to send them Back to School?

10 days and counting here......

Hanging out with my friends....

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Shaken Together - Whats Shaken Link Party
Be Diiferent Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven Party
It's Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity

Mercy Ink Blog - Back to School Tips,Tricks, Tools Link Party

Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sunday

Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Monday

Brassy Apple - Make it Monday

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials and Tips

Lil Luna - Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursday are Your Day

Stone Gable Blog - Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits

The CSI Project - Back to School Competition

Miss Lovie Creations - Back to School Party

Mums Make Lists - Empty Your Archive



Dressform Instant Art

My New Creative Space needed some new Art.

For some reason I love Dressforms.

No idea why, I just do.

And I went a little crazy with them on my Pinterest Board

And who doesn't love Karen over at The Graphics Fairy
All of the pictures came from her.
I love the fact that she gives us colored options too.

Seriously all I did was print them down on some cream cardstock.
I did resize them to fit in the frame.
I have had one of these five slot frame and mat for ages.
And yes it was one of the things I pulled out of the closet.

The mat was cream colored too so I covered it with some scrapbook paper
I taped it on so if I ever want to change it I could.
But I am LOVING this so much I am not sure I ever will.

Orange and Green Dressform found here
Turquoise and Pink Dressform found here
Black Dressform found here

Instant Art on a budget.
For my New Creative Space.

Hanging out with my friends.....

Crafty Scrappy Happy Me Thursday
Catch A Glimpse Party

My Halloween Porch/Patio 2011

I have been so excited to show this off.

I have been working on it off and on all last week.

I wanted real pumpkins and mums

Yeah that wasn't going to happen.

Budget = Zip, Zilch, Nadda

Ok I had a few bucks.

Thats why I love the Dollar Tree.

And repurposing, reusing, and upcycling.

And alot of digging in my craft stash.

(Click on Picture to make larger)

1. Pumpkin Friend inherited from my Mom

2. Door Valance upcycled from my Fantel

3. Fence Board Pumpkins ($1.14 at HD)

4. Spooky Tag (stickers and vintage ink)

5. Halloween Tree with Bats and Coffee Filter Ghosts

6. Halloween Burlap Candy Corn Bunting and EEK Pillow

7. Front door overview

8. Halloween Tree Vignette ($1 for bucket + free sticks)

9. It's All About The Candy Picture (used a command hook to hang on brick wall)

10. Again...because I am loving it !!!

11. More of the Halloween Tree (I love my brick wall)

12. Front Door Wreath and Valance

13. Upcycled Yellow Stool (spray painted)

14. Updated Simple Halloween Wreath

One week to Halloween.

I am done decorating.

Just one thing left to do.......

I need to finish the five year olds costume.

UGH !!!!!

Hanging out with my Friends.....

A Glimpse Inside - Catch a Glimpse Party

Momnivories Dilemma - Creative Juice
Crafty Scrappy Happy Me Thursday Party

EEK Pillow

Been working on decorating my front porch/patio for Halloween

Basically its a concrete slab.

Its my concrete slab

And I can do what I wish with it.

My Mom gave me a bench.

I was going to put it in our Master Bedroom.

It just wasn't working.

It more was a place to pile things upon.

So out to the porch it went.

I definitely want to paint it.

What color is another story..........

Now back to the pillow......

So a bench needs pillows.

So why not Halloween Pillows.

First step visit The Graphics Fairy

That is where I found the spooky looking tree.

I printed it directly onto a piece of muslin.

I added pieces of orange burlap to the top and bottom.

(I had to do this to fit my existing pillow form I had)

I found bat buttons at Joann's

Thought they would look great flying on the tree.

Stamped on the "EEK" with some acrylic paint

The other two pillows are just from some black checked fabric I had.

I used natural burlap on the backside so I can flip them after Halloween.

So there we have it.

A pillow that says EEK.

Are we scared yet?

More to come on the porch later this week........

Someone stayed home from school today with a runny nose.

But insisted on being outside with me.

And she picked out her outfit herself today

No wonder she is hiding her face

But a sneak peek on another porch project......

Burlap Candy Corn Bunting.

Hanging out with my Friends......

Crafty Scrappy Happy Me Thursday

 A Glimpse Inside - Catch a Glimpse Party

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

Graphics Fairy - Brag Monday