Thrifty finds to Fall decor

Okay I admit it, I’ve been holding out on you.  I’ve been thrifting and garage sale shopping, but I haven’t posted my finds lately.  Well, I plan to give you a peek at a few of the thrifty finds that I am incorporating into my Fall décor. No, it still doesn’t feel like Fall here, but I’m inside with the A/C on and pretending!



I got these beauties at a garage sale.  I just loved them- rust and all! 



Then at another sale, I got books!  Not just books, but old books!  I think there were 12 in all, and they were 4 for $1.00!!  I love books for reading and for display.  They have so much character.  And look at the colors- so Fall!

 

And last Fall, I found 12 of these Ikea framed mirrors for 99 cents each.



What’s that you say?  You don’t see any mirror?  Well, that would be because this is the back of the Ikea mirror, and I forgot to take a photo of the mirror before I began my transformation.  And I cannot find my extras.  They are in the attic with the Christmas decorations.  They will make their appearance soon enough.  So, just use your imagination.  These frames look exactly the same on the front but just have a mirrored surface : )




To get this rustic painted look, I used craft paint and a crumpled paper bag.  I used blue painters tape to cover the mirror and then just used my paper bag to smear paint on the frame.

  


When the paint dried, I removed the painters tape, and measured the mirror opening.  I then cut a piece of burlap to fit the opening.  I also cut 4 pieces of twine to frame my burlap.  This gave it a more finished look and hid the hot glue that was peeking through after I glued everything down.

I then played around with the fonts on my computer to find one I liked.  I cannot remember which I finally settled on – sorry.  I printed the word FALL out on regular paper and then traced it onto some glittery scrapbook paper I had.  I used regular craft glue to stick the letters to the burlap.




Here’s one more look at the finished project with the scales and books.  I’m still tweaking the vignette, but I already love it!



Happy Fall,

Kim

**Edited to participate in Home Stories A to Z My Favorite Post of 2011 Link Party**



Linking to these wonderful parties as well as
Craftaholics Anonymous Fall Frenzy, Fall Nesting post on The Inspired Room, Sundae Scoop, Home Stories AtoZ