Good morning everyone! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Mine was especially blessed as we finally got some much needed rain and I got to spend Sunday morning in the nursery at church. (love getting to hold the babies). During these times, I am reminded of how blessed I really am. My heart just overflows.
Anyway, I decided to show how I did my Burlap Pumpkins. They were so much fun to make and I love how they look.
I began with a craft pumpkin - I got mine 1/2 off - still a little pricey but better than paying full price for them. I need to find a cheap source so I can make more. I got a white one and 2 orange ones.
Next I cut my burlap into strips...wasn't too picky about the width - made them wide and narrow. I cut several before starting. Then using hot glue, I covered the stem with dark brown burlap on the white and the large orange pumpkins and white on the small natural one, then adding a strip at a time, wrapped the pumpkins until covered, gluing as I went. Yep, my fingers were covered in glue and burlap fuzz. Oh, the price one pays for cute decor! LOL
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| white pumpkin with white burlap |
I used white burlap on the white pumpkin ( spray paint an orange one white if needed) and natural on the orange ones. Next I cut a leaf shape from fabric (you can use silk leaves if you have some extra ones from your garlands) and glued that on at the base of the stem. Lastly, I took some old, rusty wire and curled it to make a stem. This I punched through the pumpkin since they are foam. Tada, cute rustic pumpkins!
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| On my buffet at home before taking them to the Farm |
This was fairly messy with the burlap and glue but I sure like how they turned out. I almost kept them here for my city home but knew they would be perfect for the farmhouse so that's where they ended up. I placed them on the mantel with Fall foliage around them.
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| my rustic pumpkin patch |
Which brings me to my decorating dilemma: the fireplace. It is all this brick. I like it but can't seem to find the right thing to place on the ledge so things show up against it. Painting the brick is not an option. There is only 24" from the ledge to the ceiling so it's hard to find a picture to put there. I could paint one, I know, but I want to see what y'all suggest. Please help!
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| Here's what it looked like when we bought the place |
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| another view |
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| after painting the paneling - left the trim natural per husband's request |
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I did spray paint the brass trim with Oil Rubbed Bronze. I can't seem to get the
marks off the back of the surround so it looks blotchy. |
I'm going to paint the wood trim white around the brick (Mr. B has agreed), but as you can see from the pictures, stuff doesn't show up against the brick. I tried a narrow mirror but it was too narrow and didn't help. It's driving me crazy. Maybe a rustic, white sign? What do you think?
Happy Monday!
The pumpkins are very cute - you are waaayyyy ahead of me with the whole Fall decorating thing! I love the painted walls, and I think you're right, anything you put on the mantel will probably need to be light in color and maybe somewhat large - the pumpkins should look great!
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteIt's such an awkward size...I'm thinking maybe the ledge needs to be painted white also. I will just keep looking for big things either light colored or that I can paint. I've been thinking of painting a landscape to put there too. sigh, it's been a challenge.
Your pumpkins are just too cute..I love everything burlap. Thank you so much for linking up and I see you are a new follower thank you! I will follow you back. The paint is a great added touch and I too would probably paint the ledge it would add a little pop to this great shaped fireplace.
ReplyDeleteTammy
Thanks Tammy for your nice comments and input! I'm in love with burlap too! It has the perfect rustic look to it.
DeleteGlad to have you following!
Love your room and painting the wall made a huge difference. I like the brick. I think it calls for some really large pieces like a fat urn with maybe some ivy trailing down. Seems like it is placed way too high. Is it possible to take it down and lower it? That would solve the problem. Good luck, it's a lovely room. I also really like your pumpkins. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteMarty,
DeleteI don't think it's possible...seems like there is a masonry something under it...I'll have to double check. Seems like I thought of that and it wouldn't work for some reason. That, however, would be the ideal solution. I've been on the lookout for large, light-colored items (or stuff I can paint) to put there but no luck so far...I like your idea of an urn with ivy. Thanks for your input!
Hugs back!
Cecilia
First of all your pumpkins are adorable and look great on the shelf! Those fireplaces can be tricky. I like Marty's idea of moving it down, but if you can't do that what about hanging some art under the shelf to balance the area? I also really like your idea of a large, light colored sign above the mantle to help your items show up. I sure like that you have painted the paneling, what a big change!!
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Lynn! I'll have to give that a try. Yes, painting the paneling took away the brown box/hunting cabin feeling!!
DeleteAs for moving down the shelf, I don't think it's possible. We have found all sorts of interesting things built in this house that don't quite make sense. Oh well. Gives it character, right? :)
Great pumpkins...have not tried covering mine yet...love the burlap wrap...
ReplyDeleteHave you considered a new fireplace surround?....you can even go the antique fireplace mantel and surround route...would look good with the brick since painting is not an option...
Shirley,
DeleteYes, I have...got to get the hubby on board first and then find the right surround...i'd really like to break up the brick look more. I even thought of taking old tin ceiling tiles to make one. He could make one for it - I just need to come up with a design. :)