Happy Camper Tablescape

Calling all campers!

I always liked going camping as a kid, didn't you? As a teenager on into my adulthood I could be found camping from any where from Williamsburg, Virginia to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Hatteras Island. Those were the days, and even though those days have past, I still love the idea of a bonfire and lawn chairs even if it's only in the backyard.

I was inspired to create a "campesque" table scape when I found a vintage camp blanket earlier this summer. I snatched it up, knowing that it would be perfect for this time of year. The yellows reds and oranges are a perfect a September pallet. I really love the festive colors and fun pattern.
My place setting consist of wicker chargers, yellow plates, and red and orange salad plates.
For every ones names, I used river rocks that I painted with Chalkboard paint, just like Pottery Barns version, much less expensive though. They really are fun, and Logan really loves them.



For the centerpiece , I did a couple of different things. Just to show you how to change things up with the same pieces. Here is a great looking hurricane with pottery base. Or is it?

The hurricane is actually a glass cloche that I flipped over. I flipped the pedestal bowl over too, it was a lucky fit . This is a Pottery Barn bowl I recently found thrifting, it was a lucky find. :)

I used gourds, pumpkins, pine cones, and berries to fill the cloche. You will see a third version further down.


So are you wondering about my napkins? I made them, yep, you heard me right, I sewed. My grandmother (she was a seamstress) must have been helping me from above because I actually didn't mess them up and my machine didn't freak out. I can't believe I made them , and they are reversible. Holy cow!
I used the floral fabric on all four and the polka dots and plaid on the backs.
I really love the floral print and it coordinates really well with the camp blanket, so I used it for the front of all the napkins.and it also led the way to introduce red poppies and sunflowers, two of my faves!

I put the sunflowers in red spray painted tin cans (from the 4Th of July) How campy is that? :)


and I used tin cans spray painted orange for the flatware (they will eventually be jack-o-lanterns :)


Here is the third version of the flipped cloche, filled with a little bit of sand for weight and a candle and berries. I really love it like this. Also, I almost forgot, I took the ugly rubber guard off of the cloche and it left a gummy residue that I couldn't get off, so I glued some grograin ribbon around the glass to hide it. I like how the black looks with the striped ribbon too.

I also made the napkin rings with mini grapevine wreaths and a flower, they really tie in with the wicker chargers
Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed dinner at the campground! :)

I hope you're inspired!
Joining:
Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life
Donna @ Funky Junk Interiors
Jen @ Tatertots and Jello

Roeshell @ DIY Showoff (Fall Festival)

Stephanie Lynn @ Under the Table and Dreaming

Fall Mantle

After I did my fireplace face lift this summer, I was VERY a little nervous about how Fall colors would look with all the white. It looked great for the Summer, but all my fall nesting mess is orange! I wanted to do something different than I had ever done before.

Summer:

I knew two things going in that I wanted to do for the fall. 1.) Find two matching vases, for a symmetrical look 2.) Layer artwork in front of the mirror. (More tips at the end)

Well, first of all I have to show you that I did indeed find two matching vases, and at the Goodwill, no less. I mean how often do you find a pair of anything, other than shoes at GW? I thought they were a bargain at ten dollars a piece, they are 18" tall, but I couldn't believe my luck finding a pair! All they needed was a little spray paint, which is of course the prerequisite for all my accessories. Can you be spray painted if need be? If the answer is yes. Sold.

Before:
You've seen it time and time again, primed, then spray painted in gloss white. For an easy and natural arrangement, I used real branches and a spray of silk maple leaves. I think the branches make the leaves seem more real.
After:

One other thing that I did, that you might be able to do too, see the two tall candle holders? I have had those for years and I decided to accent them with some sisal roping, to give them some texture and visual weight. I like the idea of using glass, so I just used the rope in the middle section, leaving the top and bottom exposed. Wouldn't that look cool with metal candle holders too?This is the big rope, not twine and it's the kind that looks a little darker than the regular sisal rope.I just put a little dab on one end starting at the top and wrapped the rope around, I didn't glue again until I got to the end, so in case I changed my mind the glue would pop off the glass pretty easy. In theory of course.

I also made a pennant garland, it's just so fun and festive, I made it following Jen's great tutorial.
The burlap repeating the texture and color of the sisal rope.


For the Artwork, I used pictures that I took at Barnyard Days last year. I printed them out here at home and framed them. The smaller piece is a great tree print I found at the Michael's.


So here are my tips for decorating mantles:

Use something old, something new, and something blue inexpensive.

Use something natural.

Use something unexpected.

Repeat color, shapes and materials.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope I have inspired you to change your mantle for fall!

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Shop Update

2 New, larger wreaths, just added:

Fall Leaf Wreath

5' Pinecone Garland

Happy Friday everyone! Going into this weekend, I wanted to leave you with a shop update. Per requested, I did a larger size wreath. One with pumpkins, one with sunflowers and I'm working on more. This size is around 24"

I listed another maple leaf garland as well , and I'm working on another shape of leaf too, and maybe color too, we'll see!

Maple Leaf Garland RELISTED SOLD

New Style just added:

Maple Leaf Garland

and rolls of burlap garland

Burlap Garland

I want to do a plate wall with fun Halloween plates, so I made some! I made some for you too. :)

Reverse Spider Silhouette Plate

You know how I love my reclaimed wood! I hand painted these for Halloween and just Fall in general. All of these are listed now.

Here is a larger sunflower wreath, it's about 24" too.

Sunflower Wreath
I just love this one!

Pumpkin Wreath SOLD
Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions, leave me a comment (here) or convo me (Etsy). Any special request, let's hear them! Thank you for your support.

Here is a direct link to Etsy, or click on my side bar.

P.S. I'm working on a tutorial for the hand painted signs for sometime next week, I'm looking forward to that, stay tuned!

God bless this country, 9/11 will never be forgotten.