Monday, September 17, 2012

Back to School Vignette (Fake Mantel)

I realize that 99% of bloggers have moved on to share Halloween and Christmas projects, but I work at a slower pace. My younger daughter started back to preschool last week, so I'm still in a back to school mood! I wanted to show you a fun little Back to School Vignette I put together for the top of my TV armoire. If you're new to Serenity Now, we don't have a fireplace, which means we don't have a mantel. I use the nice flat top of my TV armoire to do seasonal decorating.
Back to School Vignette (Fake Mantel Decorating), from Serenity Now

I don't care if it's weird; I love shopping for school supplies: crayons, notebooks, erasers, rulers, and...pencils. Maybe that's why the You've Got Mail (love Tom Hanks) quote resonated with me so much. I have a thing for quotes.

I used a dry erase marker to write the movie quote out on a "notebook paper" board from Target's Dollar Spot, and I stuck it in between the keys of my old play type-writer (I guess I was a weird kid) for display.
Typewriter Vignette, Serenity Now blog

I spotted this little Scottish Terrier in an antique shop in the Olde Towne area where I live. I think I paid around $8 for him.
Back to School Vignette Ideas, from Serenity Now
Fall Mantel Ideas, Serenity Now blog


Thought about painting him a fun color, but I love the character he's got. And I think Emma, our Pomeranian, has a crush on him.
Fall School Vignette (Fake Mantel), from Serenity Now

I found a fun Scottie dog chalkboard in the Dollar Spot at Target over the summer and brought that home too. He stays propped up on some old books in a plate stand:

Up top, I tossed some old crayons into an apothecary jar when the girls weren't looking, and I stuck an old yard sale lunchbox next to it.
Back to School Vignette (Fake Mantel), Serenity Now

Back to School Fall Decorations, from Serenity Now

Obligatory shot of Emma:
ack to School Mantel (when you don't have a mantel), Serenity Now

Took me just a few minutes to throw together, and I'll keep it up until the very end of the month when I pull all the pumpkins down from the attic.
Back to School Fall Vignette, Serenity Now blog


Do you do anything fun to celebrate Back to School season?

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Linking to Positively SplendidHome Stories A to ZImparting Grace

27 comments:

  1. So cute! I love that Tom Hanks quote too! There is just something about the smell of fall and new school supplies that takes me back to being a kid. That Scottie dog is adorable! Great job!

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  2. I like that Scottie chalkboard. We have a schnuazer, but my in-laws have had Scotties for a while. The love Scottie themed gifts. I'd definitely scoop those up if I saw them. Nice finds.

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  3. i work at a slower pace, too, lol, but mine is about laziness. i don't feel like going and getting all my fall/halloween bins.

    i LOOOOVE the you've got mail quote, and the typewriter/pencils set up. brilliant!!

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  4. That typewritter is awesome, along with the rest of your display. My 7 year old wants to start decorating for Halloween, but it's way too early for me. I'm with you, it's still back to school season!

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  5. Amanda that is so cute! I love the lunchbox! And that quote is so fun! I didn't do much for back to school this year...and I still haven't started on fall decorating yet either so don't feel bad:)

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  6. So cute! I love the Scotties and the plaid. It's still hard to believe that school is back in session! :)

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  7. Such a clever and unique idea!! I love the little scotties.

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  8. So cute, you creative lady!!

    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

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  9. So cute, you creative lady!!

    Jen
    athomeinthenorthwestblog.com

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  10. Too cute! Looks like the furry baby likes it too...she likes to ham it up for the camera, doesn't she? :)

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  11. Old play typewriter! I love it! I would have been a weird kid right along with you. It looks adorable up there!

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  12. What a cute vignette! I thought your typewriter was real. I had a play typewriter when I was a kid, too. Your armoir top makes a great substitute mantel.

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  13. This is great, Amanda! I like all the back-to-school things grouped together.

    I used to love to get things like guest checks and rent receipt books (with the carbon paper) and play "office." I think my little girl self would have liked your little girl self! And by the way, you've got my favorite brand of pencils there--Dixon Ticonderogas!

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  14. Christmas? No...not yet, please! I haven't noticed any yet, but I'm way behind in emails. lol
    I've got my fall stuff out, but haven't done much with it yet, did get a wreath made but that's about it so far. Too busy at work.
    You did such a cute vignette with the Scottie dogs and play typewriter. Love it!
    Debbie :)

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  15. I always love your mantels. You always have such amazing and simple concepts. I don't think I could ever pull something like this together. I think I think too busy. lol.

    Love it!

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  16. This turned out awesome. I love the Scottie dogs and the plaid lunchbox is so cute.

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  17. Love that quote, Amanda! Your display is darling!

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  18. Cute, cute, cute!! Great job Amanda. =) I love the idea of a back to school vignette. I'll have to remember that for next year. I don't have a real mantel either and use the top of my hutch for seasonal displays. I'll have to get to work doing it up for Fall. Looking forward to see what you end up doing too.

    ~Catie

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  19. What fun!! I love the crayons in the glass dish...need to do somethng like that. And the Scotties...love them!!!

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  20. What a cute idea, Amanda!! I have to say I *love* your old play typewriter. So fun!

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  21. what a fun use of stuff around your house to make a great vingette. I love the originality of it!!

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  22. So adorable! I love the "You've got mail quote" and the bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils and crayons in apothecary jars are genius. Let's not forget your adorable Scottie dog duo! Love them just the way they are and they work so well with the back to school theme.

    Amy*

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  23. This is so cute Amanda!! I love that quote from You've got Mail - and it looks perfect in your display!

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  24. Amanda, I love the way you use this space in a mantel-like way. I know I left you a quick comment last week, but I just wanted to say again that your back-to-school display is just wonderful. I love it!

    Thanks so much for joining Grace at Home! I appreciate it a LOT.

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  25. I love this. I cannot resist a vintage desk or chalkboard, so my house is decorated in Back to School mode all year around. I even have the same plaid lunchbox. Cute!

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  26. Hi! Just found your site today
    ! Cute display! I recently retired from teaching....seeing your back to school display & had a thought; a "back to school bouquet of sharpened pencils" would be a nice 1st day of school gift for a teacher! Love the retro elements!Students today would likely identify the typewriter as an old keyboard! ;)

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  27. I love it Amanda! Too cute!! I've never thought to decorate for back to school but you've got me wanting to now. I love the quote.

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