home.made.: back to school

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Back to School Mantle 2013

Saying goodbye to summer break is never easy, so we celebrate going back to school in my home by decorating for it like it’s a holiday (pretty tricky, right?). I showed you my Back to School Apple Wreath and today I’m sharing my Back to School Mantle!

I reused some of the elements from last year’s Back to School mantle, including the Mod Podge ABCs and the glittered apple garland. I used the garland this year on my ruffle fabric tree (which I made for Christmas but seems to live on my mantle year-round… another plus for neutrals!).

Next to the tree is a stack of books and flash cards topped with a miniature globe.

My garland this year is notebook paper bunting with “SCHOOL!” stenciled in red. The bunting was strung on some twine for a quick, easy garland.

The Mod Podge letters from last year were still in decent shape so I used them again. A glass container holds markers for a fun, colorful nod to the school year ahead. I have several of these glass containers and sadly, none of them have lids anymore due to a couple curious kiddos reaching for whatever treat was housed in them at the time and knocking the lid on the floor in the process. But we’ll just pretend that I left the lid off on purpose to show those cute markers, right?

I find it so hard to believe that it’s school time again… but I must admit that while I love the fun of summer, I do look forward to the routine that school tends to rejuvenate. Hello normal bedtimes, can I get an amen?

Hope your kiddos are having a great start to the school year too!

Linking here:

Savvy Southern Style

Inspire Me Please Party

The Inspiration Gallery

Fabulously Creative Friday

Somewhat Simple

Whipperberry

Tatertots and Jello

Funky Junk Interiors

Too Much Time

I Heart Naptime

Three Mango Seeds

The Sunday Showcase

Home Stories A to Z

Inspiration Exchange

Power of Paint Party

The Scoop

Tuesday’s Treasures

The 36th Avenue

Transformation Thursday

Be Different Act Normal

It’s Overflowing

Beneath My Heart

Happy Housie

Monday, August 12, 2013

Back to School Apple Wreath

Hey friends! I don’t know about you, but I can hardly believe that school will be starting up again in just a couple of weeks. Where has this summer gone? Sheesh. Luckily, my girls are getting excited that school is right around the corner so I have begun adding in some Back to School décor, starting with this Back to School Apple Wreath.

Remember the crafting session I highlighted last week on Insta Friday? Well, while my girls were painting pictures, I started painting my wreath form – which happens to be an old clock! Similar to my Upcycled Chevron Wall Art, this clock was a leftover from the previous owners of our home. Since the batteries exploded in it, it wasn’t working and had just been sitting in my garage… so I decided to make do and use it for a wreath!

I painted the clock face with ASCP in Old White and the outer frame with DecoArt in Marigold. I then brushed DecoArt crackle finish on top of the yellow to give it some texture.

The feature on this wreath is the Book Page Apple – there are several tutorials available for this but it’s pretty straight-forward. Remove the cover, keeping the binding intact, then draw a rough half-heart shape on the page and cut with an X-acto knife or scissors. I added some red ink to the page edges with a sponge, a stick from my yard for the stem, and some burlap leaves.

I’m planning on transitioning this wreath into later fall by removing the chalkboard and adding something else at the bottom… not quite sure what just yet, but it’ll come to me.

The chalkboard is a small slate board from Hobby Lobby painted with ASCP in Provence. A crayon bundle finished with twine was the final touch – I like that these crayons have been used, a sign that creativity is nurtured here.

And what’s a Back to School Apple Wreath without a turquoise door background? (Which I’m thinking of repainting… believe it or not. Ack!)

I’ve got a few more fun Back to School projects in the works that I can’t wait to show you… but how about you? Are you decorating for the upcoming school year? Comment and let me know so I can check it out!