Vintage School Room Mantel

I've just started getting into decorating my mantel after joining the world of blogging. Everyone seems to be doing it and it looks so good when there's something on it. My poor mantel has been bare minus a photo here and there for  5 years now. There's always a Christmas mantel but  unfortunately it has to come down in January :(

The mantel decor that I did for  4th of July/Olympics was alot of fun and  I kept it up through the Olympics from about   July 10- end of August ( I'm lazy) But now it's time for school and fall.  I'm not ready for pumpkins yet so I needed something "schooly".

I started looking around my house for school type stuff. And I made this...

 I had a small chalkboard we found at a thrift store that was originally going to go outside on the playhouse.  And I had some Ball jars left over from some pickles my godmother gave me. Add some sunflowers from Trader Joe's and there's the first part.

It seems like I have an love of primary colors (and maybe I do). I wanted some garland to drape across the mantel. I went to Hobby Lobby got some super cute blue ribbon with polka dots and some felt to make some apples. I drew an apple. Then cut out the pieces individually and then super glued them together and then to the blue ribbon.

The little white owl came from Target. I will someday put him in my newly redesigned office. So he's not old but he fit nicely with everything.  My godmother had also given me a bunch of old books that were hers along time ago. I had kept them becuase they were so cool looking and were actually books I read. Look at how cool and aged they are...

 I had this old brownie camera that my grandpa had given me years ago that I was using on top of a shelf.  I love the worn edges and the simplicity of the old cameras. It  just makes me think of first day of school pictures that my grandpa/grandma would have taken.

Something still seemed missing , so I asked my mom if she had anything vintage schooly and she said she had this lunch box that belonged to my uncle.  How great is that?

Here is everything together. I have to apologize for the lighting. This room has one source of light and it is a glass door to the right of the fireplace. I had  to use overhead fan light and lamps to help light the space. Not the best as far as lighting goes.

And so you all don't think everything here is perfect....this is what the rest fo the room looks like....

I love back to school time. with all of the books and supplies. What makes you think of school? What would you put on your "schooly" mantel?

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY Show Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Debbie Does Creations - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles

Wednesday
 Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely  -SNAP

Thursday
 Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life - The Shabby Cottage
The Taylor House- House of Hepworths 
Two In Diapers-Mommy Brain Mixer


Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)
Delicate Construction
Serenity Now
Here Comes the Sun

Saturday

Six Sister's Stuff

Cheerios and Lattes
Natasha in Oz -Say G'Day