Late October Mantel with the Snow Owls

It's mid-October and my mantel tends to change up a bit when the weather starts getting cooler. I have a few vintage critters that come out to play in late fall and this year I decided I wanted to give my vintage concrete owl a little refresh before he swooped in and took up residence on the mantel.

Late Fall Mantel with Woodland Friends

I did a little tweaking in the Hearth Room for late Fall by bringing out my two Fall Friends to hang out on the mantel. My chippy concrete owl and the old squirrel bank took their spot of honor. Our weather has finally changed to the cooler temps that should come with the last week of October, so some darker and heavier textiles will be feeling at home in here.

October Entry with the Snow Owls

Last week I shared a sweet little DIY on my Glitter Snow Owls that I made about 9 years ago, and use each year this last bit in October and early November. Fall is the perfect time for "owling" and I've been intrigued with them and vintage illustrations for years. I remember as a child living in the country, the unmistakable "hoots" before I fell asleep at night. And yes, they're a tad bit spooky so that fits in with this time of year.

Elegant Glitter Snow Owls DIY

As the calendar goes, it's a little late in the season to be sharing Fall DIY projects, but I was ready to post my Late October Entry where I'm using my pretty little Glitter Snow Owls. So before I shared my current October Entry, I wanted to post again how my little Glitter Owls came to be. 

"Hoo Said That?"

I have several little friends that haven't been able to make their appearance this Fall, since they're all packed away and waiting till next year. But once in a while I hear a little hoot, chirp, or baaaa, and know they are wondering what happened to October. They were the star of the Late October Show. Don't worry, we'll share a few pics from yesteryear.

October Fireplace and Mantel

 Hi Everyone, Happy October! This is my favorite month of the year... I can't believe that I didn't come jumping smack dab in your face to announce it! Well, yes, I can... this has been a long week already; more to that later. First I want to share my little owl friends that I've had for several years. They are excited to be back taking center stage on the mantel.

Snow Owls on the Mantel

It just wouldn't be October on the Mantel without my little Snow Owls. A few years ago white owls were the latest addition to the Fall Scene, and that reminded me of what a fad owls were in the early 70's. All the poor homely little ceramic owls that had been packed away or sold at garage sales started to make a comeback on the shelves of flea markets and antique malls. They were still homely, but I had a plan...

Wheelbarrows, Wagons, and "Hoo" Else?

Hey Friends, I just wanted to share a few pics with you, as I'm getting the front porch readied for my favorite month... October! I've had some mums out, and my door basket decorated for Fall, but I wanted to wait and share it all with you when I had my French Goat Cart decorated. I was going to use real pumpkins, but I decided to repaint some of my faux stash, and just ended up with them instead. 

Sunporch Shenanigans

There's a little more fun going on in the sunporch this week that I wanted to share with you.  I always have an ivy that sits in my wicker floral container, ok...funeral basket. I hate saying funeral basket. Is that the only time anyone ever had one of these delivered? I guess they were the closest thing to "disposable" back then. so anyway... back to the funeral basket...

I like to keep mine "upbeat" with some seasonal decor thrown in for fun.

So this month it's been an "ode to black cats".

I love any color cats, 

but in my lifetime I've had several of those sweeties

all named...

wait for it...

"Blackie"

I also had an adorable white kitty named "Whitey",

but today we're talkin' black kitties.

I think they get a bad rap.

My last "Blackie" was one of the sweetest girls around.

hmmm...this one could be a tuxedo.

but we'll just say it's black.

My girls were out here helping with the photos and trying to get a nibble

from the Angel Vine I just brought indoors.

They're naughty that way.

I found a wonderful little Elementary Reader a few years ago and used it to make some fun prints. That's a copy of the original 1920's page with another black cat and pumpkin image on top. I've always loved children's book illustrations from the 20's and 30's. When I was a kid, my grandmother had all my dad's childrens' books from the 30's. It broke my heart that someone cleared out the attic stash and threw them all away.

In just a few days, we'll be gearing up for Thanksgiving and the turkeys will take over. So for this week the owls and black cats, are still on the loose. Even one of my lambs wanted to join the festivities out here by sporting a new scarf...

don't tell him it's just a ribbon with a little glitter...

This is my second post today, the first one was "unscheduled" when I got these photos and texts from my daughter. Just wanted to share them and have a laugh, if you haven't read that post, CLICK HERE

Linking up with these wonderful parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Gallery at Ella Claire

DIY By Design

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Stone Gable

No Minimalist Here

From My Front Porch to Yours

Today's Sponsor Bel Monili

Here's a Note from Lucy, owner of Bel Monili:

Hi Everyone, Tomorrow is my end of the month sale AND it's my birthday! I'm running the sale Thursday, October 31 (my 33rd birthday! eek!) through Sunday. Use coupon code birthdaybel20 at www.belmonili.etsy.com through Sunday, November 3, 2013 to receive 20% off of your ENTIRE purchase of $10 or more. Since it's Bel Monili's birthday, purchases of $50 or more will receive a FREE 3 pack of pearl bobby pins as a gift, and purchases of $100 or more will receive a FREE quote bracelet of your choosing! This is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping kick-started at bel monili, where you always enjoy free domestic shipping. Happy Halloween!

Spooky Sideboard and a Give Away Winner

I have my hallway sideboard done up with a touch of "Spookification". Just enough to be an itsy bit "weenish". I always have to apologize in advance for the photos because this is an inner hallway with no natural lighting. Sometimes I get ambitious and "clone" out the 80's monster doorbell, air vent, and the thermostat, but today what you see is what you get.

I'm still totally in love with my Pier 1 chalkboard that's all curvy and scrolly. It's sitting in front of my large paned window that's been here for a couple of years. They make a good backdrop for any Holiday or Season. My sis made the Boo Banner for me a couple of years ago, and gives just the right "fright factor". I know you're scared, huh?

I finally found a preserved boxwood wreath this Spring. I had wanted one last Christmas, but I refused to pay the big bucks prices they were asking for them. If there were deals, they were always sold out super fast. So when I found one for a good price I was thrilled. I just added some fun polka dot satin wired ribbon, then I'll just change out the ribbon and use it through the first of the year.

Since this is a sideboard and a sideboard is supposed to hold dishes, I always like to have some dishes and serving pieces sitting around appropriately. I'm using a little black wagon to hold the tureen, plates, silverware and napkins. And look who flew in...my baby snow owls and the owl collage I made earlier this Fall.

Hoooooo doesn't just love a baby snow owl?

...especially with glitter!

 Here are my creepy little friends from the old Bird Book.

dead mouse and all.

I always love having something fun here to look at.

The turkeys are up next!

I promise I didn't forget about the Give Away winner.

 Lisa has a wonderful bracelet or custom piece for 

Di from Cottage Wishes

congrats Di, just get in touch with me by email

 and we'll get your piece created!

Be sure and run by Lisa's wonderful Etsy Shop,

Love Squared Designs

and remember she has a discount code for 10%

 off the rest of the month of October.

COMMONGROUND at Etsy Checkout.

thank you so much, Lisa!!

I'll be joining in with these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House at No Minimalist Here

TTT at Stone Gable

Rooted in Thyme

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

The Party Bunch at Whipperberry

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Mod Vintage Life

xoxo,

They're Back.....

My snow owls from last year have flown back onto the mantel for October. 

If you didn't see how I came up with them, then click here.

I just made some space for them instead of redoing the whole thing...

I'm a lazy "mantel-scaper". 

They DO cause a little ruckus and make a mess with all that glitter.

Oh, and they have a new friend this year.

An owl pillow decided to join the fun.

Remember the Give Away with Elliott-Heath Designs not long ago?

you can have one too!

Joining in on these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire 
TTT at StoneGable
From My Front Porch to Yours
Shabby Art Boutique
French Country Cottage
Craftberry Bush
The Cottage Market
The Scoop

Be sure and come back tomorrow.

  I have wonderful Give Away planned,

with Love Squared Designs

The Autumn Holiday Cupboard

Since Fall is my favorite time to decorate the house, 

I also love gathering my odds and ends for decorating The Holiday Cupboard.

 I've tried to make it "The Ironstone Cupboard", 

or "The Transfer ware Cupboard" 

or "The White Only Cupboard",

 but I just can't make those stick.

It always becomes "The Holiday Cupboard".

It's the odd kitchen cupboard and the little chippy dresser that got married.

I always enjoy a good love story, don't you?

It's downstairs in my little sitting area that I showed you yesterday.

This time of year I like to bring in the oranges to compliment the white.

And there are always a few stray squirrels, owls and pumpkins

that need a place to live.

...so they end up here.

There usually is a gardening and nature theme going on

along with whatever "Holiday" might be coming up.

These open books are two old nature encyclopedias from the early 1900's.

My new little "Be-Owled" frames found a spot here, too.

Each time I show the Holiday Cupboard I'm asked about the white suitcases on top. I just used several coats of white interior latex and a lot of time. A small roller on the larger parts and an artist's brush for painting around the hardware. I have several more ratty suitcases that need this paint treatment. I'm a sucker for an old suitcase, if the price is right.

For previous Fall Holiday Cupboard renditions,

look HERE and HERE.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend,

it turned cool after a day of rain.

Almost time for boots.

yay!

 Joining in on these great parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Knick of Time Tuesday

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

TTT at StoneGable

From My Front Porch to Yours

French Country Cottage

Craftberry Bush

The Cottage Market

Today's Sponsor

Sweet Magnolias Farm