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Sunday, August 24, 2014

A FALL MANTEL IN COTTON COUNTRY

Fall Mantel

In my neck o’ the woods, Fall means cotton blooms and then cotton bolls growing in the fields; cotton harvesting and cotton ginning.  So, my first Fall mantel this year is all about cotton.

Fall Mantel 2

This is the real thing – cotton from the field, so it’s a little dirty and some of it is a little messy.  It is overflowing my dough bowl.

Fall Mantel 3

The metal tray behind it depicts cotton blooms and bolls.  If you were living in cotton country and got married in the 1960’s or early 70’s, you probably received at least one of these trays with matching tumblers.

Fall Mantel 4

I bought several sketches of cotton bolls at a yard sale one time.

Fall Mantel 5

I used ready-made mats and frames to frame them.

Fall Mantel 8

If you visit my blog very often, you may have noticed the books that I always use to elevate something in a vignette. They are under the framed sketches on this mantel. Since some have asked about them, I thought I’d share them today.

World Book pg ends

I like the color variation on the page ends, so that’s why they so often show up in vignettes at our house.

World Book outside

They are from a set of World Books that belonged to my mother.

orld Book inside

I love the illustrations on the flyleaves of each book.

World Book pub yr

The ten volumes were published in 1925.  They are probably no longer very helpful as reference books, but they are great for elevating décor!

Fall Mantel 8

Thanks so much for coming by to see Fall in cotton country.  laurie

I'm partying with Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life, and You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E.

17 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love the mantel and the cotton tray is wonderful!
hugs,
Linda

thepaintedapron.com said...

You always do such fun mantles Laurie! I am sort of backwards this year, I used real cotton for Easter, and had it on my mantle all summer. Silly me, I know cotton season is now, but I am opting for sunflowers and white pumpkins- I will try to get it right next year! Love the World Book!
Jenna

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Laurie,
I love your mantel and the display of cotton. Everything is so unique. When we lived in Lubbock, Texas we had cotton fields all around us and seeing the fluffy fields of white was such a gorgeous sight. I was not able to collect any large portion like you show on your mantel but wish I had. Love those ink and color prints of cotton. WOW those give me inspiration for creating.
That cotton tray is fabulous and what a treasure to own. Love your books too. I also use books in many displays for lifts and interest.
Thanks for sharing this pretty early fall mantel. Love it.
Have a great week!
xo

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

Beautiful mantle laurie....I have always been looking for cotton but when I see it like that it's at pier one and is a bit pricey for me.

I always love to see how you decorate your mantle...Have a great day!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

I love it Laurie! I never heard the term cotton bolls before. I have never seen it growing in the fields either. I saw some for sale last year at a garden center but it was super pricy so I had to pass. I bought a set of books to use as accents once, we won't talk about what I paid! LOL...

Sonny G said...

very pretty Laurie~! I always enjoy seeing your new arrangements.
btw- just wanna say its a real Joy to come to your blog where there arent 4 to 7 places to click here- click there - bend to the east and say abracafreakindo, before I can actually see the photos and real your words.
if I could write
THANK YOU in letters 10 feet high, I would.
Sonny

Unknown said...

Oh, Laurie, I love this post! Our cotton hasn't fully bloomed, so I'm not in high cotton mode yet. Your mantel items look wonderful! Books are so useful for many things. Old books have such character and history, too. They do make terrific lifters for many things - my favorite is to lift lamps. Thank you for your mantel inspirations. They are beautiful.

ellen b. said...

Love your cotton themed mantel, Laurie. Using the books for a variety of heights is brilliant!

xinex said...

Nice! very original, Laurie,...christine

Debbie said...

Love! I'm another one who likes to decorate with cotton. Lucky me to have a family field to glean for supply.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Very Pretty!
Not ready for Fall as don't like what follows, but would like for the temps to cool down some. Today was rough.

Di@Cottage-Wishes said...

I love that mantle, what a great fall look. Di@Cottage-Wishes

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

BEAUTIFUL Laurie!!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...


Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Beautiful mantel, Laurie! Love your use of the cotton...so natural and organic. Perfect for Fall!

Abi's Blog said...

I love cotton! We don't have cotton where I live anymore, but I would love to plant some just for decorating. I put some on my Christmas tree one time!
Blessings,
Ava

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Laurie, so fun to stop back and see your inspiring fall pics now that I am decorating for a new season.
Thanks also for stopping by and for your visit to my spotlight at Kris's. Your comment and visit blessed my heart.
Wishing you a Happy September.
Hugs