Home and Garden

Ideas For DIY

Dollar Tree – DIY Fall Mantle

by

This Fall or Halloween tablescape is made up of items for Dollar Tree. You can use similar items form your local discount store
Items used –
3 vases
4 candle holders
Raffia,
Pumpkins (or any object or seasonal item that will fit)
burlap Ribbon
white trim (purchased from Joann’s for $0.50),
E600
Hot glue
Use the E600 to glue the candle holders to the bottom of the vase, for the tall vase glue two candle holders together (tops) and then glue the vase to the bottom of the candle holder. Allow glue to dry.
Use burlap ribbon and white trim to decorate the vase to your liking. Use raffia inside the vase and place pumpkin (candle, Christmas decor or anything you want) inside of the vase.
I did not glue the inside items down only so I can interchange them for the different holidays. That’s it, super simple and affordable. All items (except white trim and pine cones) were purchased at the Dollar Tree. Estimated to cost $3.25 each.
Photos by Ashlee Scarcella Photography who is a Mom of 2, wife, photographer and crafter at heart. “It is always important to me to be able to decorate our home with class, but affordable”

Related Posts:

Have you read?

Building with Nature: My Experience with Natural Birdhouses

If you’re someone who enjoys DIY woodworking projects and has a soft spot for garden wildlife, Natural Birdhouses by Maria and Amen Fisher is a must-read. I picked this book up recently and have been completely inspired by the earthy, sustainable approach it offers to building homes for birds, bats, and even beneficial bugs.

What really drew me in was the focus on using found wood and natural materials—think branches, logs, reclaimed boards, and other bits of nature you can often source from your own backyard or a nearby forest. Not only does this make the projects eco-friendly, but it also gives everything a beautiful, rustic feel that blends effortlessly into any garden or backyard setting.

The book includes 25 step-by-step projects, all clearly explained and illustrated, which makes it accessible for both beginner and seasoned crafters. Even if you don’t have a fully-equipped workshop, most of these can be tackled with just a few basic tools and a bit of patience.

I started with a simple birdhouse design, using some weathered fence boards I had stashed in the shed. The instructions were easy to follow, and I was surprised how quickly it came together. Within a couple of days of putting it out in the garden, a curious little sparrow showed up—talk about instant reward! I’ve since bookmarked the bat box project and one of the insect hotel builds for next weekend.

What I really love about this book is that it’s not just about crafting; it’s about encouraging wildlife and creating a more natural, welcoming habitat right in your own yard. It’s a great way to involve kids, too—mine were fascinated by the idea of building a bug hotel and couldn’t wait to help collect materials.

If you’re looking for nature-inspired DIY garden projects that not only look good but also serve a purpose, Natural Birdhouses is full of ideas that check all the boxes. It’s creative, environmentally conscious, and a great way to spend time outdoors while giving something back to the ecosystem.

I’d definitely recommend this to anyone into sustainable gardening, backyard birdwatching, or rustic outdoor décor. Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to hear what you build!