Cassie Bustamante

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A Book Page Bat Bunting and Halloween Mantle

September 6, 2012 by Cassie 50 Comments

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Subtitled: It’s scary what happens when I am stuck in the house with limited movement.

So, my friends, I had an entirely different post scheduled for today.  I was going to share with you the makeover of the $5 living room desk.  But, because of my leg not healing very quickly, I have spent the last couple days on the couch for the most part.  I can’t just sit there…. I mean, who does that????  Not me.  I must always have a project in the works.  I looked through my Halloween pinterest board to see what I could create.  I came across this fabulous bat book page banner from Simple As That on my board.  How cute is this? Thank you so much for the inspiration, Rebecca!  (By the way, in heading to that pin, I found a new blog I adore- her site is just beautiful, creative, and photographed well!)

I decided to create my own Halloween book page buntings, which lead me to setting up a Halloween mantle just so I could share great pictures of the bunting in action. (And because it gave me something to do, frankly).

Before I get to the bunting, a little side note…. I only looked at the picture of Rebecca’s before I made mine.  I didn’t read any directions and just went to work in my own way.  So I will be sharing with you my method.

OK, so let’s talk about the bunting first.  I have a silhouette craft cutting machine.  But guess what?  I didn’t use it.  I had time to kill and I didn’t want to have to keep getting up to use the machine, so I made these buntings the old fashioned way.  I started with creating the bats.  I used black cardstock and- are you ready for this- a cookie cutter.  I traced the inside of the bat cookie cutter over and over, and then used good old fashioned scissors to cut them out.  That helped pass some serious time.

For the bunting pieces, I again used black cardstock and measured and cut out my pieces so that I got 6 pieces for every standard piece of cardstock paper.  Then I folded one in half and notched out my triangle,  I used that as a pattern to cut the triangles out of the remaining pieces.  I mod podged book pages onto those black cardstock pieces.  If you are at this point wondering why I would add that step and why not just use the pages, I will tell you.  The pages are from an ooooooold book.  When things get old they fall apart.  Heck, I am 34 and I am falling apart right now!  I didn’t think the pages would hold up over time; mounted on cardstock they are much sturdier.  Once these were dry, I trimmed the book pages to the same shape as the cardstock.  This method was much easier and accurate than if I had tried to cut them to size, and them mounted- this way there is no black showing through.  After they had been trimmed to size, I used tea dye distress ink to age the edges of the book pages.  Then I used mod podge to add the bats to each piece.

To assemble each bunting, I used a hole puncher to make holes in the top two corners of the bunting pieces.  Then I wove 6 feet of sheer black ribbon through and spaced them appropriately.  You can use whatever type of ribbon or cording you prefer. I like the sheer because it has a great Halloween look, and the size I purchased is  slightly wider than the holes so the pieces sit still once I have them placed where I want them.

Then finally I hung the banner on my mantle using tacks underneath the ledge “just to see” it in place.  Which led me to just go ahead and decorate the whole mantle.

I just love the distressed edges….

Now let’s check out the rest of the mantle.  There is a brush pile I know about that has been there since before we moved in.  Don’t tell my Dr., but I got in my car yesterday morning and drove to the spot and got out of the car with my heavy duty scissors to cut some pieces of these creepy branches.  I just love their curvy shape.  I used them last year, too.  Here is last year’s dining room table, just a week after moving in….

Anyhow, I had already planned to use some in my Halloween mantle this year.  I placed the branches in some awesome vintage bottles I purchased at Stylish Patina.  I also purchased some of that generic webbing stuff, and strung it on my branches, and finally added some sparkly silver spiders I had purchased a couple years ago on clearance at Pier 1.  The “BEWARE” blocks came from Marshall’s clearance a few years back.  (I like to hit up the shops a day or so after Halloween to get the good deals for next year’s decorating)/

I have also been spray painting some thrift store owls in glossy black to prepare for Halloween at the shop and the barn sale, and kept a couple for my mantle.  The vintage candle sticks were a thrift store find, andI used these aqua candles to just bring in some of the living room color palette.

I had a few extra branches, so I placed them in a tall white vase in the corner of the room, and of course, I still have my black owl hanging in the birdcage there, too…

So yes, I know I have jumped the gun here, but I couldn’t just show you a cruddy picture of the banner, now could I?  And maybe this mantle will help inspire you with yours and now you have plenty of time to get it together.  So really, this was a smart move to just go ahead and decorate it… right?
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Comments

  1. Tonya Diehl says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:29 am

    That bat bunting is seriously too cute and so is the rest of your Halloween Mantel!! Love it!! Hope your leg feels better soon !!

    Reply
  2. Megan says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:32 am

    It turned out so cute! I love the distressed paper! I DID breakdown and buy a sumer scary skull head at HomeDepot, but the whether is still too hot for me to get into fall decor 🙂 Maybe after my surgery I’ll get bored and do it!

    Reply
  3. Megan says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:33 am

    omg, not HomeDepot, HomeGoods! sheesh!

    Reply
  4. Lisa at Shine Your Light says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Very impressed that you already have your Halloween mantle ready to go! I don’t even have my SUMMER mantle done – so I guess that one will have to wait! The bunting is so cute – love the distressed edges!
    Hope your leg is on the mend…I’m sure that’s so frustrating for you since you’re used to being on the go. Sending you get well vibes!!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:10 am

    I love the bat bunting! Now, had you decorated your mantle for Christmas, I would say you maybe jumped the gun. But heck no, it’s time to get out those skeletons heads and spiders!!!

    Reply
  6. Sarah AKA The Thriftress says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:17 am

    I love the curly branches that you use! I want a creepy brush pile in my neighborhood. The mantel looks great.

    Reply
  7. Jaime Costiglio says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Love all those black owls and the book pages have a great contrast against your grey brick, it all came together perfectly.

    Reply
  8. Ange says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Ah, I hope your leg feels better soon, I can only imagine how crazy you must be going having to sit all day. The bunting looks great, love the distressed pages. Jealous that you got curvy branches for free, I had to buy mine at Hobby Lobby. Rest up friend!

    Reply
  9. pam {simple details} says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Too fun! I’m not usually much for Halloween decor, but I think I’ll get on board this year. Love the book pages, and the practical side of me – so easy to store!

    Reply
  10. Terri says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    OMG…I cannot believe that someone else loves decorating for Halloween as much as me! I am obsessed and can’t wait to get it done (although even I think this might be a LITTLE early, lol)!

    Love your ideas…everything looks great!

    Reply
  11. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Very cute! I bet the kids love it – nice and spooky! I want some of those curvy branches! … I am so far from decorating for fall. Seashells everywhere here. Oh my!

    Reply
  12. Traffic Pulse India says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:42 pm

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    Antique Silver Jewellery

    Reply
  13. Janel from NellieBellie says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    yep, this is just too cute. Seriously.

    Reply
  14. [email protected] says

    September 6, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    The mantle is great, Cassie, and I do love that bunting! Can’t bring myself to decorate for Halloween quite yet, though, no matter how cute the inspiration is 😉

    Reply
  15. Gwen @ The Bold Abode says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Spoookalicious!!!

    I love it! The black owls are a super cool touch, yo.

    Reply
  16. Dana Frieling says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Watch out mantle…if your leg doesn’t heal soon it’s doomed to see Christmas before Halloween arrives. ha! Just kidding! It looks cute and I bet your kids are super excited to see the Halloween fun begin.

    Reply
  17. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    You have the perfect excuse to just let yourself be crafty, and it is AWESOME!! I really, really love it. The bottles, and twigs and that bunting is FAB!!

    Reply
  18. [email protected] Repurposed Life says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    happy you found something to occupy your time while you SHOULD be taking it easy with your leg. 🙂

    the bunting is sweet! love the decor. I’m such a slacker… I never decorate, suppose it’s the no kiddos thing?

    feel better!
    gail

    Reply
  19. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    September 6, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Girl, you crack me up! I can’t decorate for Halloween until October 1st. I do love the bunting and may do a fall version of it? Cut out red, yellow and green leaves? I think it’d be cute. Hope you’re feeling better!

    Reply
  20. Twice Nice says

    September 6, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Those are so very cute! I just seem to “pin” as a collector. I need to dig in there and use it to create! Love, the owls, I too have been using black this Fall on mine and I have that very same owl that you have on your mantle. How scary is that???

    Reply
  21. Heather says

    September 6, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    Love it! And love how frustrated you’re getting with the healing process as I’m feeling the same way after carpal tunnel surgery a couple of weeks ago – can’t paint, can’t vacumm (darn), can really do much of anything that requires any repetitive movement (shouldnt’ be typing). So I’m canning, freezing and dealing with the produce which decided to ripen right when I’m recovering. Hang in there, it WILL get better even if it doesn’t feel like it now.

    Reply
  22. Bella says

    September 6, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    It’s amazing what you get done sitting on your duff! This is such a great project and I think I love it even more because you did it the ol’ fashioned way! And of course your mantle is spooktacular! I want black owls toooo

    Reply
  23. rebecca says

    September 6, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Love your mantel and love your version of my bunting! 🙂 thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  24. [email protected] says

    September 6, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    OMG Cassie, you’re so darn organized and already thinking of Halloween. I’m still doing a happy dance about the kids being in school. Hope you get better soon my friend. I know how crazy you must be going!

    Reply
  25. Upscale Downhome says

    September 6, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I love all the natural branches in your decorating. They are shaped just right. Did you buy them or get them from your yard?

    Reply
  26. Pudel-design says

    September 6, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    That´s spooky;)
    I like the spider web and the black owls and… Ah the whole thing;)

    Lovely greetings…

    http://pudel-design.blogspot.de/2012/08/giveaway-time.html

    Reply
  27. Ali Richardson says

    September 6, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    LoVe it!!!! The bunting is perfection and the rest of it looks awesome too!

    Reply
  28. Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says

    September 6, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    You are definitely feeling it! Your mantle is the perfect mix of pretty and scary. Now, I’m excited to pull my fall decorations out too.

    Reply
  29. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Ha ha, you’re ahead of the game for sure, Cassie! Love the bat bunting. 🙂
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  30. Michaela says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    Ha…I love ya, Cassie! Very cute and perfect for the new season ahead!

    Reply
  31. Eclectically Vintage says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Amazing what a little injury can do for your creative juices!

    This is adorable! I actually started my Halloween mantel today but need to tweak a few things and was thinking it could use a few branches as well! Now to find an abandoned brush pile!

    Pinning this – I’m really batty over it!
    Kelly

    Reply
  32. Sixty-Fifth Avenue says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    sorry to hear about your leg Cassie. I am loving those bats, thanks for the inspiration as usual!

    Reply
  33. Holly says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    Book page bunting? Wonderful idea! Our TV is on our mantel too and I am having a hard time with decorating around it. Yours looks cute – you’re helping me see past the screen.

    Reply
  34. Good Time Charlie says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:42 am

    Book page bunting!!! I love it. I have been thinking of making some kind of Halloween bunting for my space at PFM. This is perfect. I am so sorry about your leg. What a bummer! And truly, I would not sit and make something so cute, if I didn’t have to sit! I was on bedrest for three months with my twins. My photo albums never looked so good. I need to make myself sit down more often!

    Reply
  35. Kara @ June & Bear says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:13 am

    i don’t think i’ll ever tire of buntings. and oh my word, are you on the ball, already ready for halloween? and rebecca is one of my favorites–everything she does is beautiful!

    Reply
  36. [email protected] Road says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:34 am

    It’s cute as heck, Cassie! The bunting is adorable, and I really love those black owls. You’ve done a great job~ but for Pete’s sake! Put your leg up!!

    Reply
  37. The Retail DiYet says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:02 am

    Super cute! I love the distressed edges and feel like a slacker on the fall decor. I have to get my butt in gear. Thanks for the motivation and the inspiration!
    Danielle

    Reply
  38. Camille says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:04 am

    Hi Cassie, why I have never visited your blog before, I have no idea. Love your bunting — what an easy and SUPER CUTE idea. And practically free too, right? I just saw that you in or around Frederick? My husband used to cover Frederick for the Washington Post when we lived in D.C. I know that area well!
    Nice to visit you!
    Camille
    The Vintique Object

    Reply
  39. Fiona, LilyfieldLife says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:41 am

    hope you are feeling better soon Cassie, take it easy.
    the bunting and decorations are very cute. very early though!! you’re kids must love it
    cheers Fiona

    Reply
  40. Between Blue and Yellow says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    I would probably be the same way. It’s impossible for me to sit still for very long. The mantle looks so fun!

    Reply
  41. laxsupermom says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Love the bunting! I can’t believe you’re decorating for Halloween already! I’m just playing catchup right now.

    Reply
  42. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Too cute – love the entire look! Hope all gets better soon for you.

    Reply
  43. laurenmack1129 says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Your work is beautiful. And you know why your my favorite blog out there? Because your real. You don’t have a fake, staged looking house that overly-perfect. Your real just like the rest of us!

    Reply
  44. Sabrina says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    Sorry about your leg! I feel so out of the loop, I totally missed this! Your bunting is absolutely awesome!!! We are still waiting for our house to be ready to move in and get decorating! But I am so eager to decorate for Fall/Halloween! This bunting is on my to-do list!!!

    Reply
  45. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Oh girl – you’re mantel looks awesome! LOVE – you’ve inspired me to get my fall on over here!

    Reply
  46. Gabby says

    September 8, 2012 at 2:14 am

    Way too cute! I really love the entire display, and great job on the bunting! Hope you get to feeling better soon!

    Gabby
    The…Late, Young Family

    Reply
  47. [email protected] Bitsy Paper says

    September 9, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Love this!! So fun and festive for Halloween and fall. I hope you will come by and link up to my Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party.

    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/09/2012-wickedly-creative-halloween-ideas.html

    Reply
  48. [email protected] Not Included says

    September 19, 2012 at 2:28 am

    LOVE the bunting, the mantel and the owls! Especially now that I have my own 🙂

    Reply
  49. Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl says

    November 4, 2012 at 1:51 am

    Very creative! Love it! And I would love for you to come share at my Farm Girl Blog Fest: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/11/farm-girl-blog-fest-7.html

    And while you’re visiting, enter to win a copy of Laura Childs’ new mystery Stake & Eggs (the tab to enter the contest is at the top of my homepage)

    Lisa
    Fresh Eggs Daily

    Reply

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  1. Halloween Home Tour - Cassie Bustamante says:
    October 14, 2016 at 6:39 am

    […] funny because when I looked back at last year’s Halloween mantle, I had the fringe and the bat banner hanging exactly the same… creature of habit!Shop the […]

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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