Natural and {Joy}ful Mantle

I've been planning how to decorate my mantle for Christmas for a few weeks; sketching and dreaming and erasing and starting over until finally tonight IT.IS.DONE. :D

I started out by creating some no-sew Christmas Stockings. You can see the tutorial {here}. Then I added a homemade Magnolia leaf swag. Then I made a JOY mirror vignette on the wall because I wanted the lights to reflect on them.
I made a cute little branch "tree" with paper doves and ornaments, I treated the branches with "snow" and propped it on my mantle.
I added a few gifts for Jesus ;) on the hearth and voila! My Natural Mantle.
Easy, simple and pretty.

How to make the Mirrored JOY
I started off by getting three mirrors at Hobby Lobby (unframed) but you can get any mirrors you like or have on hand. Then I got the chipboard letters and painted them a bright red with some red acrylic paints I had on hand. After they dried, I put a few glue dots on the back of the letters and positioned them on the mirrors. I carefully pressed until they were adhered. The good thing about using the glue dots, is that you can later remove the letters, wipe the mirrors clean and re-use :)
Since I wanted to put the mirrors on the mantle, but I did not want to just prop them up, I used command picture hangers. I put one on the back of each mirror and hung. Presto, instant JOY ;)

How to make the chalkboard sign
I simply bought an inexpensive chalkboard at Michael's for about $2, then I covered the edges in torn book pages with modge podge. After a couple of coats, and after they were dry, I sprayed it with a clear acrylic protectant.
I glued a pretty cord on the back (hidden in the picture above) so I can hang it later with some different phrases.  I took my Chalk Ink Marker and just wrote the phrases on and there you go!

How to make the willow branch tree
I took some branches from my backyard willow tree :) and just sprayed them with SNOW you can get anyplace! I let it dry (and this stuff is MESSY-just a warning)
I then cut out some circles with my CRICUT, put a piece of bookpaper for the hanger, strung some raffia through them and wrote on both sides with the same Chalk Ink Marker. The Dove was printed on white cardstock, and I cut out the shapes while I put the book pages behind so I could cut several at the same time. Then I just glued parts of the book page dove to the white dove, punched a hole, strung it and hung it :)
Here's the printable of the  Dove

I'll post the how-to's on the Magnolia Wreath and Burlap sacks tomorrow.
I'm linking this up to the following parties:
The Lettered Cottage Christmas Mantle Linky Party
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Amaze Me Mondays
Sunday Showcase Party
Thrifty Decor Chick Before and After Party
Saturday Mornings Linky Party
Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Texas Monkey
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
The Nester
Hooked on Houses


You HAVE to go see all the beautiful ideas!