orange tutorial- summer-y mantel (and a free printable)

Did you know that today’s guest, Kristen from Kristen Duke Photography, is the talent behind my new headshots? Yep, she’s amazing. Not only does Kristen share her photography expertise on her blog (if you’re wanting to learn about taking amazing pictures, I can’t recommend her e-books enough- I have both of them and LOVE them), she throws some seriously fabulous parties (like Lala Loopsey done right or this Pink Lemonade Party), and makes great stuff for her house (check out her homemade bed and her window-turned-picture frame!). She is also someone I consider a good friend- Kristen is supportive and encouraging and so fun to be around. I think she does a great job of giving people enough grace to be comfortable in their own skin- what a gift that is!

She also is here today (lucky us!) sharing a summer-y, ORANGE mantel-

Hi friends, my name is Kristen (not to be confused with Kirstin or KoJo as I like to call her). I met the lovely KoJo in April, and from our first conversation, I just knew we would be friends. I am a stay-at-home-mom-photographer, and I started my blog (Kristen Duke Photography) sharing with my clients a sneak peek of their sessions, but lately I’m loving sharing projects, recipes, crafts, and stories of my life as a mom to 4 kids just as much.

I’m so happy to be here today talking about one of my favorite colors–ORANGE!

When I think about summer, I think about the beautiful sunshine. What color is sunshine? Orange and yellow! I needed something vibrant to last all summer up on my mantel, and up until this week, I still had it decorated from my daughters Lalaloopsey birthday party (that was over a month ago). The color orange for this series was my inspiration. How is THIS for a fun, summery, orange mantel?

I am in LOVE! I was trying to think of something BIG to span the mantel to paint orange, and a nice old pair of shuters came to mind. I found them on craig’s list with a pretty royal blue hue, but just had to paint her orange. Nice. and. bright.
I then wanted to include a colorful sun image, and couldn’t decide if I wanted to make something out of wood and paint it, print a picture. I eventually decided to pull out my scrabook paper and covered an existing 16×20 canvas I had, and wrapped it like wrapping paper. I then crafted the lovely sun, which rays stretch out in all directions and make me quite happy.I used two quotes that I’d love to be ingrained into my children’s heads as they go through life. The one above is simple: be sunshine to others, and you will feel sunshine. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it? If you’d like a copy of this printable, hop on over to my site today for your own download;) The bike used to be black (World Market a few years ago), and I like to decorate it with different color strings. In the basket, the “fruit” are gumballs. I got this giant Ball Mason jar at Hobby Lobby. Normally $6, but half off. I had thought about spraying it silver, but I thought gold matched the motif better. I may have had some dripping issues, but I’m over it by now. I also spray painted the quote easel the same golden color. Scatter Sunshine is another phrase I love from a song, another reminder to spread the happiness around as you go along your day. Paper flowers from Hobby Lobby.
Some people are afraid of orange, but it is a shade that makes me happy and dots my house from place to place. Be bold for the summer, bring out the orange and scatter sunshine!
~Kristen

Loving the orange goodness! There’s more at delia creates today (some super fun DIY stationery and a snail mail vacation)- go check it out!