Halloween Mantle Decor

Last year I created a Halloween vignette

with a nod to The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.
After all, what's creepier for Halloween 
than Poe?!?


This year, I added to it & 
changed the color scheme to all
black, white, & grey.

The "Oct 31" sign is made from old book pages
{sent through on my computer}
& this garland from the Michael's craft store . . .

It had little ghosts on it
 {which I didn't want--so I cut them off}.
I sewed the "Oct 31" pages to the garland
with the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine.

I also used whatever grey & white ribbon 
I had on hand on the corners. 
The rosettes are sweater flowers.
{CLICK HERE to learn how to make them.}


I made the chalkboard last year from a
piece of wood - painted with chalkboard paint.
{By the way, I like the chalkboard paint you
paint on more than the kind you spray on!}

You can find the rest of the poem The Raven HERE.
I just chose an excerpt & went with it.


I also framed a picture of Poe {above} for the mantle.
CLICK HERE to get one for yourself.
{I just printed it out on my computer printer.}


The large jar is kept on the mantle most of the year
with greenery in it. For Halloween, I spray paint
some branches black & poke them in it.
{I just trim some branches from a tree out back - FREE!}

The candles are battery-operated with timers.
They come on for a few hours every night &
they even flicker.
I LOVE THEM & I use them all year long.
Costco is selling them right now . . .
RUN, DON'T WALK to buy some!
They DO sell out.

I created this pumpkin with 
Mod Podge & napkins.
{Click here to learn how.}


I topped it all off with some vinyl crows
which I won last year.
{Thanks Mandi at Vintage Revivals!}

I'm off to decorate some more!

I'm Linking up to These Great Parties:
Fall Link Party at Centsational Girl 
Tutorials & Tips Tuesdays at Homestories A 2 Z
Weekend Wrap-up Party at Tatertots & Jello
Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife
Flaunt Your Fall at Chic on a Shoestring
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table & Dreaming
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
The Weekly Story at Colours Dekor
Market Yourself Monday at Sumos Sweet Stuff
Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
What I Whipped Up Wednesday at Sugar & Dots
One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons 
Feature Your Sassy Sites Party
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest