Well…there’s no more denying it. School has started, and it’s time to decorate for fall. It’s such a bittersweet time of year…I love the weather and the feeling of the crisp cool air, but it signals the end of my summer freedom…and the beginning of a long year of teaching.
I had off of school today for Rosh Hashanah (which I don’t celebrate) so I got to go thrifting 
Not too many exciting things today, but I got some cutesy pumpking decorations for my classroom!
Then I found this little cage…
Even Buckley was curious!
And it was only $6.00! It’s in great condition…heavier than it looks. It just needed a good old-fashioned cleaning! I thought about spraypainting in Oil Rubbed Bronze, but decided against it. For now, it will stay off-white, and I can easily change it with the seasons Don’t you just love stuff like that?!
I got some “Decorative Excelsior” (AKA stuff to fill the bottom!) from Michaels, and found a pretty flower for 40% off to add. I took a 2 candles I had in the closet, and a fake sunflower that was previously in a vase…and here she is!
And another view…
I decided it might look nice next to my burlap pumpkins…
I made my own version of the “toilet paper roll” pumpkin by following the directions here from The Sweet Life. I made the smaller pumpkin following this tutorial from Domestically Speaking. Please check out their blogs…they have many other awesome ideas!
Expenses for my “Fall Display”…
Cage: $6.00
Bottom Filler: $2.99 (and I didn’t even use 1/2 of it!)
Velvet Hydrangea: $3.59
Candles, sunflower, toilet paper roll: Free (around the house)
Burlap: $3.99 (still have about 1/2 a yard leftover)
Total cost: $16.57
Not bad!
Here’s the finished display again…
I’ll be linking up to the parties on my sidebar…go visit! Also, I’m still waiting to get to 50 followers so I can do a give-away…
**UPDATE: Many people have been asking about my most favorite lamp ever…it was a wedding present from my brothers and sister a little over 2 years ago from Pier 1. I am completely in love with it, and I will let them know that everyone else thinks they have great taste too!
I’m linking to DIY Fall Festival
Super cute pumpkins…I never even thought of using burlap. What a great idea! I also LOVE the bird cage with the fall decor inside. Beautiful!
very cute! what a steal! and congrats too!
Thanks for the burlap pumpkin shoutout
You are your hubby are so cute!
Looks great…way to go..finding this in the midst of some junk in the thrift store!
Love the birdcage, you really got a great deal on it
Hi from your new follower #47, you are nearly at 50:-) I love your little cage, and your dog is adorable. I am visiting you from New Friend Friday.Thanks for your post!Kathiey:-)
Noticed you are almost at 50 followers so I am trying to help you get there
Love birdhouses and what you did with yours-stopped over from "Shabby Nest".
Beautiful! At first the lit candle freaked me out, but I got over it.
I'm just scared of them because I was in a house fire when I was in middle school. But I love your Fall arrangement!
What a nice display, fall has certainly arrived in blog world. I guess it's time to get out my fall decor too. I love the pumpkins and the link, as well as your bargain bird house. Visiting from www.lifeisaparty.ca
Nice find and it looks so pretty. I love, love, love the lamp!! Gorgeous color. ♥ Visiting for the first time for Frugal Friday.Please stop by, we're giving away a super Roxy girl's bedding ensemble for "Giveaway Friday"!Jane T.
Oooh, just joined as a follower…#51~!Now you can have a giveaway and when you do, post on our weekly "Giveaway Friday" where bloggers post their current goodies!Jane T.
Love it! Its gorgeous!I'm visiting from Its So Very Cheri!
Visiting from It's so very Creative! Love your pretty display and the pumkins are just adorable! I have been saving toilet paper rolls for some some children's projects but will have to take a few and make some of these!
Stopping over from It's so very creative. I LOVE the birdcage, I've been looking for one like that!! I'd use flameless candles in there with the decorations (it's the mom in me!).heather
What a great find. I really like the lamp on your table, too.
Stopping over rom Its so very Cheri.Love your bird cage idea. It looks warm and cozy. Well done!
That looks so nice!! I have a birdcage just like that. I'm in the process of revamping it. I can't wait for it to be done! I'm visiting from It's so very Cheri!
Such a great idea! Love it! I have a huge birdcage that I used for my summer decorations but never thought about using it like this for the fall decorations. Thanks for the great idea! Have a great day!
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your whole vignette looks great! i think your thrifty find was a great find. stopping by from someday crafts.ps-i do celebrate it, but i don't get the day off. funny.
Came over from It's So Very Cheri to say that I love that birdcage! Great find! It will be so fun to dress it up for the different seasons!
I love that. I have a very similar bird cage that I haven't done anything with yet. Thanks for the inspiration.I'm visisting from It's so Very Cheri.Come check out my giveaway on my blog.http://frugalmomx3.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-i-clean-my-fridge-giveaway.html
What great ideas. Love the cage!! I'd love for you to come and join my Fall link party next Friday (Sept. 24) and stop by because I'll be posting fall projects all week and featuring others too!~JILLhttp://envirocraftiness.blogspot.com/2010/09/fall-week.html
ohh i love your little birdcage!
Great find! Lucky you for 1/2 day and thrifting! It's looking festive at your home! Thanks for linking up!
Roeshel
I recently picked up a bird cage off of freecycle and you've inspired me to decorate it for fall. Now, what I really <3 is your lamp. Where did you find it? Love the colors.
I love it… the pumpkins are really very cute!
That is a beautiful bird nest! Wish I could find one like it! Congrads on being the most viewed link last week. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.
Very cute! I LOVE the birdcage. I've been looking for a vintage one for so long. You did a great job decorating it!
Beautiful vignette and your pumpkins are adorable! Thanks for linking up!
Beautiful fall vignette. And I'm with everyone else…LOVE that lamp!
kind of crazy about bird cages too…don't ask me how many I have…eeekkk that's a scary question! hahahaNice to meet you in the pumpkin parade~~~Kay Ellen
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