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    Home » DIY » Crafts

    Gourds on our Fall Mantel

    By: Jane · Updated: 11 Aug, '15 · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

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    Today there is definitely a change in our weather signaling fall is near. So I got busy and changed up the decorations on our mantel with these fantastic GOURDS.

    Gourds on our fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    And ever since I found these old, dried gourds at the auction, I knew I'd be using them on our fall mantel.

    Dried gourds | cottage at the crossroads

    The one on the left is a dipper gourd, and the one on the right is called a birdhouse gourd. It's called a birdhouse gourd because they make good birdhouses, and purple martins especially love them. This one even had some old nesting material in it. So about a month ago, I washed the dirt and dust off them and put them out to dry.

    Satin polyurethane | cottage at the crossroads

    After they were dry, I sprayed them with some clear poly to given them a little shine.

    Dipper gourd | cottage at the crossroads
    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    I just love how the poly brought out the variation in color of the gourds. And now, here they are on our fall mantel propped in front of those green shutters that I added this summer. The gourds, along with some of the other things I used, are a celebration of the harvest season.

    Dipper gourd on a fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    And since I wanted to keep the shutters on the mantel, I went with some seasonally appropriate colors of green, brown, copper, and a little orange.

    Corncobs on a fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads
    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    The corn cobs that are tied together with a little raffia are hiding speakers that are on top of the mantel. So is this grapevine spray!

    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    To bring in more green, I made a magnolia wreath to hang from the mantel. I'll have to admit that this is the first one that I've ever made so I wasn't sure how to go about it. But instead of looking at tutorials on line, I just winged it.

    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    I used a small Styrofoam form that I had, thinking I could just stick the stems of the leaves into it. OH, NO! That just didn't work, so I ended up hot gluing the leaves onto it.  Probably an unconventional way to create a magnolia wreath, but it worked!

    Fall magnolia wreath | cottage  at the crossroads

    And I found this in my stash of fall decorations and attached it as well. Not sure what to call it, perhaps it's some sort of grain, and is the color of some sorghum that is grown locally.

    Fall magnolia wreath | cottage at the crossroads

    Found a few other embellishments to add including this seed pod that I painted green last year. I'm not sure how long the magnolia leaves will stay green, but if they fade to brown, that will be perfectly OK.

    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    An open weave garland along with more seed pods and a few pumpkins got placed on top. I just love the combination of green and orange together!

    Tall bushel basket | cottage at the crossroads

    I wanted something tall to put on the hearth, so I found some tall bushel baskets at our local agricultural supply store. They were under $5 each.

    Painted tall bushel baskets | cottage at the crossroads

    So to keep with my color scheme, I painted them green and them piled them high with pumpkins.

    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Once I put them out, the critters came out to investigate. Here's Henry checking them out!

    Painted tall bushel basket | cottage at the crossroads

    I tied a bow with more of the garland and tucked in a few leaves and raffia.

    Fall mantel with magnolia wreath and painted bushel baskets | cottage at the crossroads

    Love the green harvest baskets!

    Painted plastic jack-o'-lantern | cottage at the crossroads

    The little chair that's beside the fireplace seemed like a good spot for this Jack-O'-Lantern that I made last weekend. Would you believe that he started off as one of those cheap, plastic trick-or-treating pails that you can buy for $1?

    If you'd like to see how I painted it, click here.

    Fall preserved boxwood orb | cottage at the crossroads

    And these little preserved boxwood orbs that are on the media cabinet next to the fireplace got a little fall treatment, too!

    Fall mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    Happy Fall, y'all! Get out and enjoy this beautiful, fall weather and see if you can harvest some memories this weekend!

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    1. Mary

      September 24, 2014 at 5:14 am

      I love your fall mantle Jane with your green and orange accents! What a great buy on those baskets, they look so pretty painted too, even Henry thinks so 🙂 The Martins really love those gourds, we see them all over the lake nesting in them rather than in fancy houses.

      Reply
    2. Mary Ann

      September 21, 2014 at 10:20 am

      I am going to use an old metal cut flower container to put pumpkins on, much like you did
      the market baskets. Thanks for all the good ideas.

      Reply
    3. Paige.Rose

      September 20, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      I love that your display is so cheery & BRIGHT!!! The lime green shutters are AMAZING!!!

      Paige.Rose
      http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com

      Reply
    4. martina

      September 20, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      LOVE IT Jane!! The wreath...the shutters...the large bushel baskets filled with pumpkins...love it all!!

      Reply
    5. Jeanwindham

      September 20, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      The Fall Mantel is very colorful which is perfect . We all look forward to a change of the season and all the bright fall colors. The tall baskets add a nice touch and height to the fireplace. Thanks for sharing. Jean

      Reply
    6. Dawn

      September 20, 2014 at 7:38 am

      Jane, I love those baskets and it's amazing how much color the clear paint brings out in the gourds. Beautiful like always.

      Reply
    7. Pat @ LifeAtLydiasHouse

      September 19, 2014 at 10:39 pm

      What a great idea to put some poly on the gourds! They look great with all of your fall décor!

      Reply
    8. Kathleen G

      September 19, 2014 at 8:48 pm

      So full of harvest! Love how you painted the baskets green. Fall is in your home!

      Reply
    9. Connie

      September 19, 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Love the tall baskets and the beautiful wreath that you made.
      Such a lovely display 🙂

      Reply
    10. Babs

      September 19, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      Jane, Natural decorations are my favorite. Now, I wish I had grown some gourds this year. Love how you displayed them, and your bushel baskets. Nice job on the magnolia wreath, too.

      Reply
    11. Moni ~ Zu Haus at Home

      September 19, 2014 at 4:48 pm

      Love all of the beautiful colors on and around your fall mantel. The beautiful wreath is is icing on the cake, so to speak 🙂 Looks like you are ready for fall, Jane!

      Reply
    12. Heather @ new house new home

      September 19, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      Looks gorgeous, Jane!! I love how you tied the green shutters with the baskets. And that wreath is stunning!

      Reply

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