Whimsical DIY Halloween Mantle Decor

Are you a friend or foe of Halloween decor? This is the first year I’ve really shared my Halloween decor on social media and on the blog. I’ve never really shared my Halloween decor before because I’m usually a last-minute Halloween decorator- like around 2:00 pm on October 31st! This is obviously too late to be much help to any of you looking for Halloween inspiration. So, this year I decided to start a little earlier and I have to admit I’m really having fun with it. In this post, Whimsical DIY Halloween Mantle Decor, I’m showing you how to create an enchanting mantlescape that can be created quite economically with a little DIY fun.

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Whimsical DIY Halloween Mantle Decor

To create this look, I created four DIY projects ranging from moderately difficult (but quick) to astoundingly easy. The last two are so easy that some might argue they aren’t worthy of the title DIY. Here are the projects I’m sharing with you in this blog post to create this mantle look. I’m sharing them in order from most challenging to least challenging.

• Minimalist linen fabric pumpkins
• Black branch and crow vase filler
• Black bat wall display
• Printed and framed Halloween art

Minimalist Linen Fabric Pumpkins

The fabric pumpkin tutorial is here but note that I’ve made a couple of changes to my original design. In addition to using different fabrics, I omitted the step that creates the ridges around the pumpkin. As a result, the process is simplified and the result is a more simplistic pumpkin that really lets the gorgeous fabrics shine. Additionally, I wrapped the pumpkin stem in twine for a rustic and textural touch. You can watch my short tutorial video here.

Supplies And Directions

To make these pumpkins, you will need a small amount of linen fabric in shades of black/grey and white. I used a white and a grey/black fabric from Wonder Linen. You will also need some polyester filling, a needle and thread, scissors, a scrap of burlap, twine, and a glue gun. A sewing machine is used for the side seam, but this could be easily completed with hand sewing.

To make the pumpkins, simply follow the directions in my fabric pumpkin tutorial. Just omit the part where you wrap the yarn around the pumpkin to create ridges. Also, wrap and glue some twine around the burlap stem for added interest if you choose. I made three sizes of pumpkins in each of the two fabrics. To do this, cut your fabric pieces in the following dimensions, then follow the tutorial directions.

• small- 6″ by 12″
• medium- 8″ by 17″
• large- 12″ by 26″

Here are my completed pumpkins, which took me about two hours in total to make.

I used the small and medium white pumpkins on the fireplace mantle. Then I placed the larger white pumpkin on the bench.

The grey/black pumpkins worked nicely on the side table. I just placed them beside each other, but they would look great in a basket or wooden bowl too.

Black Branch And Crow Vase Filler

This little DIY should only take about 15 minutes to do and will add a whimsical, mysterious touch to your mantle. You can gather the branches from your yard or forest or use branches left over from Christmas decorating.

Supplies And Directions

You will need a bunch of narrow-stemmed branches, black spray paint, a faux feathered crow, and a black vase. If you don’t own a black vase, simply spray paint an old vase or large drinking glass.

Lay down cardboard or newsprint in the garage or outdoors to protect your work surface. Then, spray the branches with black spray paint. Paint one side, allow to dry for 7 or 8 minutes and then spray the other side. Once dry, simply place the branches in your vase and nestle the crow in the upper part of the branches.

Black Bat Wall Display

I purchased a set of witches hats that included a multipack of small bats in assorted sizes. Following the directions in the package, I bent the wings to give them three-dimensional character and then attacehd them to the mirror and wall using the included double-sided sticky tape. I placed to bats in a slightly curved diagonal line, using the largest bats in the middle and tapering to smaller bats at each end. This took me about 10 minutes.

Printed And Framed Halloween Art

There is lot of great digital Halloween art available through independant websites and online shops and marketplaces. You simply download the images, print them, and place them in frames. You may already have some frames to repurpose for your mantle display. There are many free sources but I enjoy the selection available on Etsy. Most downloads are available for only a few dollars. I choose these designs because we recently watched the Hocus Pocus movies which my youngest son thoroughly enjoyed.

When I choose printable artwork, I like to choose pieces that compliment each other. These prints have a similar colour scheme- black and white with a touch of warm brown. Often, I choose one print with text and another that’s an image. I found the Hocus Pocus printable from Desen Studio Prints and the haunted house printable from The Digital Peach.

I had a couple of frames that I used on my mantle previously and I spent 5 minutes trimming the printables and placing them in these frames. It took me about half an hour to choose the artwork though!

Other Accessories For The Whimsical DIY Halloween Mantle Decor

The pair of black vases are from Urban Barn. Although I’ve had these vases for quite a while, they have an unusual texture and shimmer that work perfectly for this mantlescape. The mottled guage fabric that I hung below the mantle was only one dollar from our local dollar store. I purchase a set of Halloween pillows from Amazon. Finally, the witches broom was a Homesense find. It ties in with the Hocus Pocus witches theme.

Summary

What do you think of my whimsical DIY Halloween mantle decor? This is the first of a few posts I’ll be sharing about Halloween decorating and entertaining. I hope you enjoyed this one!