Fall Banner, and Lantern Update

While in Dollar General recently, I picked up a pack of leaf cutouts.  It contained 10 (I think) for a dollar.  I stenciled the letters F A L L on them, and made a banner for the mantel.  

I've shown this lantern several times, most recently when I added a spray I made to it as an early Fall decoration.

I had been thinking about painting it white for some time, and finally decided to do it.  

I used a Valspar sample paint in white, and small brushes you would use for really small crafts.  The strips over the glass on this piece are very narrow.  It was a little tedious, but I am happy with the makeover.

I painted it, sanded it for a little distressing on the corners, used an exacto blade to scrape off the places where I got paint on the glass.  I left the top as it was, except I painted the laticed area white.  

Inside it holds a golden yellow candle, and colorful Fall leaves.  Then I tied burlap around the handle, and inserted some more Fall picks into that.  It sits in the sun room on my little aqua stool.  

On the shelf of the stool, I added my large yellow bird, and a Fall candle ring I got at Good Will a long time ago, and added silk leaves to it to make it fuller.  

I really, really like it so much better now.  I think the white will go better with whatever seasonal decor I am using.  What have you made over recently?

I am joining these great parties:

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Be Inspired Friday @ Common Ground 

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove

 Katherines Corner for Favorite Things