It is so easy to get caught up in the 'stuff' mentality. I know I have fallen for it over and over again. Lately, though, I've had the sense of being overburdened with things. We are blessed beyond measure in this nation of ours, even with the slowing economy.My sister and I had a conversation recently about our decorating philosophy, particularly how it influences what we buy or keep in our collections. Both of us have been wandering closer to the non-mass-produced, local, natural, handmade, one-of-a-kind, or found items. I will be getting into our basic decorating essentials in a few days.
Until then, I wanted to show you my thankful leaves. The garland is hanging on my spot for beauty. It required a walk to collect fallen leaves, twine, wooden clothes pins, two push pins, and a black marker. The rest of the room might be a disaster, but I have a place to rest my eye and smile. Everytime I glance that direction, I am reminded that I have much to be thankful for. (It also makes a terrific incentive to straighten up the chaos around it!)
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the "Thankful Leaves" Idea.
I really love this.
love the thankful leaves..that is such a simple idea!
ReplyDelete-sandy toes
So totally beautiful - both the decor and the photographs of the decor :-)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! We're always collecting leaves and this would be a great way to use them. Thank you for sharing this simple idea!
ReplyDeletei clicked over to your "spot for beauty" link and read your thoughts. we just closed on a house october 20th and we will spend our first official all moved in weekend there december 20th. we have our very first fireplace! and the first thing i did was bring our just taken photo of our four children and put it on our new mantel. i placed a simple candle and a few fall decorations. how true this statement rang in my heart: "It was the very first place that was cleared of all screwdrivers, paintbrushes, and new doorknobs still in their plastic packaging. Maybe those who came to see our house laughed at the one or two little decorations on the mantel when the rest of the room was a chaos zone, but it gave me a peaceful and lovely place to rest my eye when I had no control over the visual atmosphere in the rest of our new house." i adore you. thank you for your blog!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! I also like that you gave thankfulness a way to be a focal point. My mantel is somewhat bare right now, but this is a great inspiration. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFrom Tera: That's a great thankful garland Heidi! The leaves I collect always curl when they are in the house a couple days... is that happening to yours? My thankful tree has paper leaves :)
ReplyDeleteI love the use of real leaves. I want to do that too, but in Texas our leaves are all the same color....yours are beautiful and I love your arrangement of items!!!
ReplyDeleteWe started a thankful leaves garland yesterday, too! Only I used ribbon, mini-clothespins and scrapbook paper. We each add a new leaf every morning at breakfast. My boys were both thankful for various toys yesterday and today, but that's okay. I was tempted to say the dishwasher, so what do I know? :) I like the real leaves much better. Your garland and mantel are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT idea! I love decorating with nature!
ReplyDeleteIt never occured to me we could write on the beautiful leaves themselves. How freaking beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteOH OH OH!! Yes we are in like parallel universes or something... girl I have the same slate that is around your fireplace... all over our house... the entry, the kitchen, the bathroom, well there is another mossier slate in the bathroom upstairs... but I must say, its refreshing to see the things we have in common. Well... cause that means you make me feel better than I really am!! Thanks lovey!!
We made a a leaf garland last week... never thought of writing on the leaves. Love the idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteOh Heidi, I love it!! I think about my materialism sometimes and how it is not always a good thing. I could have a store with all the junk I have. I really like your thankful garland-good idea!!
ReplyDeleteElise
This is beautiful! We love to collect leaves but this idea is stunning, and I am going to have to "borrow" it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Melissa
Love your leaf garland! I have enjoyed using natural elements for decorating this fall as well. My current favorite are cinnamon scented pinecones!!! Smells delicious!
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered you through a friend's link. Love this idea!
I'm going to try dipping my leaves in parafin wax (or melted tea lights) before I write on them. Hopefully they'll retain their color and shape that way.
Okay, weren't you in my bookmarks at one time? I wonder if you're still there? I think I need an uncluttered favorites list!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love some of these ideas here and I'm bookmarking you. The leaf garland is my favorite. So simple, so cheap, so beautiful.
Okay, love all of your fantastic ideas- I have had such a lovely time flipping the pages of my new virtual magazine ( your blog)
ReplyDeleteI am moving into a new house soon and must know your paint colours!! Why does the wall behind the mantel look yellow in the fall pics and taupe in others??
And what is the pear green in the school room?? I had that shade go wrong for me once.
Thanks