Christmas Mantel

Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on my tree! I am having so much fun seeing all of your trees and decor!

Did I ever tell you how much I love this time of year!?

I got a few questions and comments about the sled that you saw in the back ground.

I had been hunting for a sled like that for a while and finally found this one at an auction a few months back for $5!

I was so excited! I was going to put it outside but decided that I would enjoy it more right where it is!

The ice skates were my daughters when she tried her hand, or feet, at ice skating lessons. Those didn't last long but I now I have a memory of her that will I put up every Christmas!

A while ago I posted about some Christmas blog parties that are happening!

Today is Layla's (The lettered Cottage) Christmas Mantel Party so be sure to link up and check out all of the fabulous mantels out there!!

I have been working on my mantel for a while trying to decide what it is that I wanted.

I again tried to stay with the artificially natural theme and came up with this!

I took my inspiration from Laura's, from Finding Home, beautiful Thanksgiving Mantel!

I used a barn wood frame and hung a grapevine wreath in the middle and just dressed

the wreath up with some more evergreen and pine cones.

The stockings were made by my mother-in-law and hung with care! :)

I made the very simple pine cone garland,

(which I was inspired by Lara at Air Kiss, isn't hers just beautiful)

(Air Kiss)

and purchased the more detailed on at Michaels!

I weaved picks of evergreens and pine cones through my metal white pitchers and candle holders. I purchased the red posts at the Restore for a touch of red.

I then added a few large, Cinnamon-infused pine cones.

Of course I had to use mercury glass!

I really love how it looks with all the greenery!

Sorry this was such a long post, I got carried away taking pictures!

I hope you are all happily decorating and thank you all for taking the time

to visit me and leave such wonderful comments about my decor!

I really appreciate it!

In fact, I will be having another giveaway for you this week that will hopefully help with

some Christmas shopping!!

Linking up with:

Layla's Mantel party

Modern Country Style Wreath Party

Wood Tool Box Reveal!

I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful comments you left about my 'finds' that I painted this weekend, it means so much to me to hear what you think!

I am trying to get ready for our Annual Art in the Park coming up this Saturday to sell some of my picture frames. So yesterday I started making some more to bring with me.

Here is a quick peek at my craft room.

We converted our attic into a bonus room and I claimed it as my room!!

It is in need of a change, but that will have to be a winter project.

My assistant (this is Bosco) destroying my inventory!

After about an 1/2 hour of gluing and sanding, I was getting antsy to start on my tool box that I purchased last weekend. I bought the paint and supplies yesterday before work, so I had this great idea that I could still make frames in between coats of paint on the tool box!

Here is the tool box as I purchased it. No cool paint-box this time, I couldn't find anything big enough (sorry honey). But at least I got it off the driveway!

I purchased the new "1 can is equal to 2 cans" primer and paint.

I have to say it worked AMAZING!! I only used 1 can!!

The paint color was Aqua and I think that I only used 3/4 of the can for this and it covered great!

Even covered my fingers!! Maybe I should have worn gloves?

I also purchased some rope that I thought would look great on the handle. It was pretty to easy to put on after I decided that a staple gun would be less messier than gluing it on.

It got a little tedious wrapping the rope, so I enlisted my daughter to help!

Finished up with the last staple AND..........

VIOLA!!!!!!

I am really happy with the way it turned it out!

Apparently everyone needs to be in a picture! She (this is Baja) jumped up as I was snapping pictures!

Now I have a great place to put all my magazines that are always scattered all over!

Needless to say, I did not work anymore on the frames. The tool box was just so much fun!!

Looky what else I did last weekend!!

This was a fun project as well! Layla from The Lettered Cottage made one for her mantel and I thought that it would be a great piece for above my bed!

It was so much fun doing projects again, I haven't really done any in a while. You are all so inspirational and really got my wheels-a-turning again!

Thank you!!

Wooden Flag Idea

Good morning! I hope that today finds you well. I have been pretty busy lately with making jewelry and picture frames for some upcoming craft shows as well as driving children around to various things. My summer seems to be flying by QUICKLY!

I found this this morning at The Lettered Cottage. Layla, who is a design consultant, and her husband are so talented and inspiring. Check out their blog, you will not be disappointed!

Anyway, this flag caught my eye right away, white and blue are my favorite!! She said that they made it from shutters that they never used and this is what they came up with. This is her summer themed mantel, check out her spring themed mantel too!

My goal is to try to make this when I get a chance. She will let us know how she made it later this week. It looks pretty simple and you can use wood from a lumber store if you don't have any old shutters. Paint the boards the color of your choice, sand and attach the starfish which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!

I will post her instructions when she posts about them!

Have a great day!!