My quirky autumn mantel and a design tip

This year my mantel is completely different from anything I have ever done. I was rummaging around in the basement looking for my usual leaves, and fake gourds, and lights. Suddenly I spied a black candle holder that I had bought a few years back. I wasn't using it because the top was a bit crooked and a candle wouldn't sit on it properly.

My mind went to some mantels I had seen on Pinterest and I thought, hmmmm . . . clean, simple and graphic. I love it!

I found a small black vase and rushed upstairs with my two treasures to put my teeny tiny sugar pumpkins on them.

I knew I needed at least one more thing (tip to follow) so I actually drove into town and straight to Home Sense. Well, if there wasn't this tall, black, quirky vase! It was meant to be! I plunked down my $12.00 and took off for home.

It's perfect for me this year. I don't know why . . . but it is.

And now for the design tip. A visual triangle. Sweet and simple. Time tested and true. A sure thing.

I've been studying the principles of design with scrapbooking in mind but all these principles apply to art in any form.

Eyes follow lines and you want to take control and lead your viewer through your creation - whether it's a scrapbook page or your autumn mantel. You want them to look at one thing, travel to another and to stay with it for as long as possible. Perhaps going around a few times - ultimately spending more time looking and appreciating your work than they would have otherwise.

I asked hubby what he thought of my creation this year and he said "mmmm, it's witchy".

ha! I thought so too!


Autumn Mantels at Centsational Girl, Linky Party at Somewhat Simple, Create and Inspire at Little Inspiration, Open Call Tuesday at Salt Tree, Thanksgiving Party at Setting for Four, Halloween Mantel Party at Home Stories A to Z, Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence, Pity Party at Thirty Handmade Days, Friday Flair at Whipperberry, Weekend Wrap-up at tatertots and jello