... paper play with autumn leaves

The weather here has taken a distinctly autumnal turn, cardigans have been in daily use and the big debate about is it cold enough to put the heating on has begun ( we have resisted so far).  My Pinterest feed has been popping up with images showing that I am not the only one to have noticed the change in the season and my Leaf me alone board has been getting regular pins fed into it.

Autumnal dispaly

I enjoyed my  adventures with recycled paper play and still have plenty of pages of the book left along with some brown paper that had been on a parcel delivered earlier in the week so I decided it was time for a new mobile.

paper leaf mobile

I toyed with creating different textures by screwing the paper up or by folding it in half to give it a sharp line.  The leaf shapes are a combination of free hand cutting and drawing round some small cookie cutters that I had, it has resulted in a variety of shapes and textures that I am very happy with.  I love the shadows that are cast, it gives the whole thing another dimension.

Brown paper leaves

Once the mobile was up I had to carry on and dress the rest of the mantle, my vintage Sylvac pottery is perfect for an Autumnal display.

Sylvac Squirrel

Sylvac mouse

Sylvac deer

I jumped on the idea of using some of my vintage button cards to complete the display, this is in the room where I do my sewing so I can look up and  see these little lovelies while I am working. It seemed to be lacking a little punch of colour and I hit on the idea of using some of my sewing threads which seem to do the trick.

The old mobile has now been consigned to the log burner to have one final useful role in helping to start the fire.  Who says recycling can't be fun.

How are you marking the change in the season or are you hanging on to Summer a little longer?

... recycling Bonne Maman jars

I do love everyday items that are both useful and have a decorative look to them,  I think the Bonne Maman jam jar is an excellent example of this. A well designed jar that is full of delicious jam and is pleasing to the eye.

Bonne Maman jan jars

Bonne Maman jam jars

 But being a jam jar once the jam has gone and it becomes just a jar and then you can use it for all sorts of different things.

Empty Bonne Maman jars

I keep my herbal tea bags in one, it helps Hubby to find them when he makes me tea :)

Bonne Maman - herbal tea bags

Full to the brim with black peppercorns, I buy a big bag from the local Asian supermarket as they are considerably cheaper than the big supermarkets.

Bonne Maman - blackpeppers

Not restricted to just food items, they are handy for trying to corral hair bobbles, they seem to have a life force of their own with a will to pop up all over the house.

Bonne Maman - hair bobbles

I am the mother of a stationery queen and a little of it has rubbed of on me

Bonne Maman - stationery queen

And inevitably one with all those things that don't seem to have a home or are in transit

Bonne Maman jar - useful items