Friday, December 3, 2010

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 Texas Monkey
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
The Nester
Hooked on Houses


You HAVE to go see all the beautiful ideas!

Would you like to comment?

  1. I know I've said it before but you are so creative! I love the mirrored "Joy"--eye catching and sophisticated. How do you find time to create? I'm so impressed!

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  2. I love your 'tree' with the paper ornaments and the doves! And the way you hung your stockings! It is all very "JOYFUL" ;.) Very creative!

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  3. Luv the dove ornaments and the JOY sign... Ur natural wreath s gorgeous.... Do join the blog party "Itz' Festival Time" conducted at my blog : http://liventhingsup.blogspot.com/2010/10/itz-festival-time.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for linking up to "Amaze Me Monday" blog party. Hope to see you next week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just discovered your BLOG - I just love it.
    Sister Partridge
    Louisville, KY

    ReplyDelete

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