Santa's Back on the Mantel

You know I like to change my mantel for the holidays and every year I try to make it a bit different, just using everyday objects around my house.

 

But this year, there's one element from last year's mantel that I couldn't leave out:


 Santa!

 

 

You might recall that Jason made me this Pottery Barn knock off last year and I fell in love with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So he's made his way up there again this year, but all of the other elements have changed.  I tried to use objects around my house and I was trying to create a mantel with a vintage feel.

 

 

 

Here's what I came up with:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, I used an old window for the backdrop. 

 

You'll see a couple of the objects I picked up at the Salvation Army haul.

 

 

My little grapevine reindeer got a makeover with a red ribbon around is neck.

 

 

 

I placed a white pitcher in an old soda crate, filled the pitcher with branches that I spray painted red and filled the box with some pine branches.  I added a few pine cones alongside the box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I poured some Epsom salt into some old ball jars, added a candle and attached some fake holly to the jars.    In case you're wondering, I got the fake holly from the poinsettia bouquet I shared with you in my Salvation Army haul video.  If you missed it, you can watch it here. I still have a lot of it left so I can embellish my gifts this year.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of gifts, I wrapped a couple in simple brown paper packaging that I picked up from the dollar store.  I tied ribbon on one and twine on the other and added little embellishments from a big box I have (mostly from the Salvation Army or from gifts I receive each year).  I haven't made the tags yet, but these are real gifts.  I'm not one for "faking" gifts for decorating. 

 

I just don't like the thought of wasting the boxes or the wrapping paper so I use real gifts, for real people in my decorating.  The challenge is not to forget to give them to the recipients!

 

 

Once the gifts were wrapped, I stacked them on top of an old Coca-Cola box.

 

 

I also filled a big vintage egg basket with pine cones and placed it on the floor.  The Christmas ball tree sits on an old wash bucket.  I debated keeping the Christmas ball tree in the display because it is more modern, but it lights up and Noah loves to look at it, so I kept it.

 

 

Finally, our stockings are usually a pewter blue color, but they are very shimmery and sparkly and I just didn't feel like they matched this year's mantel, so I set off to purchase some burlap stockings.

 

I was shocked by the prices! I couldn't find one less than $20!  So I tried my hand at sewing once again and I guess I did okay because they at least LOOK like stockings.

 

I got my material at JoAnn Fabric and I spent less than $15 for all four stockings.

 

They were a bit plain, so I added some small wooden ornaments that my mom gave me from when I was a kid.  I like the little detail and they gave the stockings more of a whimsical feel.

 

Each stocking has a unique wooden ornament.

 

 

Finally, on the left side on the floor, there is a little gold tree sitting on top of an old bucket.  I also included a little copper pot that I filled with evergreens and tied a red ribbon on the front.

 

 

 

 



Cursing Martha Stewart

I found an awesome Gingerbread Man Wreath on Pinterest last week and I was determined to try it myself.

 

It was created by Martha Stewart.  I've always loved Martha, up until now.

 

Imani and I prepared the recipe and put it in the refrigerator, as instructed.

 

But the consistency of the dough didn't seem right. I was expecting it to be like the gingerbread wreath ornaments we've made in the past . . . but this felt like real cookies.

 

 

Upon a closer look at Martha's recipe, I discovered that her recipe actually used real gingerbread cookie dough, which would mean the wreath wouldn't be that sturdy.

 

I was devastated.  Her recipe stated at the end that the wreath would last for approximately TWO weeks.

 

What?  I wanted my wreath to last year after year, just like the gingerbread ornaments Imani and I made several years ago that go up on our tree every year.

 

 

Who would make a wreath with real gingerbread cookie dough?  I should have read the recipe more closely before I started making the dough.

 

I decided to give it a go anyway, since the dough was all made and in the fridge.

 

 

We rolled out the dough and began cutting our gingerbread men.

 

 

 



Martha's recipe called for placing the gingerbread men on a piece of parchment paper that you've cut into a circle but since I didn't have parchment paper, I put a bowl in the center of the pan and lined up the feet of all of my gingerbread men.

 



 

Do anyone else's pans look all burnt like mine?  Keepin' it real.

 

 

 

I sort of pinched the feet and hands where the gingerbread men overlapped. 

 

At this point, I just didn't trust Martha or her team. 

 

I did make one wreath EXACTLY as Martha instructed and it broke apart when I tried to hang it.

 

I figured as much.  I figured that Martha probably just made her wreath for the photo and it broke within minutes after.

 

I wanted to strengthen my wreath, so I gave it a layer of Modge Podge.

 

 

 

 

The wreath now looked very shiny.  I liked the more natural look, but I didn't want my wreath to break.  I could see some of the feet and hands were starting to lift apart so I got out the old hot glue gun and secured them.

 

 When you apply the Modge Podge, it looks white, but it will dry clear (you can see the white in some areas in the picture below).

 

 



Finally, I strung a ribbon through my wreath and hung it, praying it would not break.

 

So far so good.

 

 

My advice to you would be that if you want to make a gingerbread man wreath, use a recipe for gingerbread or cinnamon ornaments.  It will be much sturdier and I don't think you'd need to hot glue it or add Modge Podge.

 

We'll see how long this wreath lasts.

 

I have a feeling these little guys might not be one big family by the time Christmas rolls around.

 

 



 

Secrets to Thrifting - 5 Items to Snag

 I mentioned yesterday that I LOVE to go shopping for second hand items to decorate my home.

 

I look forward to it like some people look forward to going to the mall.

 

I guess what I love most about it is the thrill of finding something unique -- something that everybody else won't have.  I mean, anyone can march into Ikea, Pottery Barn or Target and slap their credit card down to buy a new serving bowl or a piece of art to hang on their wall.

 

But when I find a cool architectural piece that someone thinks is junk and sells it at their garage sale for $2 I feel giddy inside.  When I hang it on my wall and people who come over ask where they can buy it, I feel like I've just gotten the very last pair of size 7 1/2 killer stilettos.

 

Not only do I love that I have something unique, but I also love that I have something with a history.  I love wondering where the object -- no matter how small -- came from. 

Who were its owners? 

What is its story?

 

 

I feel the same way about my clothes.  Yeah, I still shop at "traditional" stores like Gap and Banana Republic, but I treasure the clothes I find at vintage boutiques and the Salvation Army. 

 

It can be overwhelming the first time you walk into a store, like The Salvation Army -- a rainbow of clothes sorted by color -- a half off color of the day and walls filled with seemingly useless junk.

 

One thing that helps is if you KNOW what you're looking for. Sometimes you're on a mission -- like the time I was searching specifically for wool sweaters in creams to make my felted wreath.

 

But other times, you might just want to browse. 

 

Either way, there are certain items I always look for when I'm thrifting.

 

Here are my top five home-relate items to buy second-hand:

 

1. Apothecary Jars
 

                                                                                               Source: houzz.com via Ginnie on Pinterest

 

These are great for decorating - you can add fun elements for holidays, seasons etc.  You can also use them for storage in your office, bathroom or bedroom.




2. Mason Jars

Source: bridefinds.com via Amy on Pinterest

Mason jars are one of the most useful items I have in my house. I don't think I could ever have enough of them.

Not only do old mason jars make fabulous vases, but they can also be used to hold silverware for a casual dinner or barbecue.  They can be used to store dry goods, like pasta or beans.  They can also be used as votive for candles. 


3. Christmas Lights

 

                                                                                                   Source: google.com via Kati on Pinterest

 

As I mentioned on yesterday's video, it's inevitable every year . . . no matter how careful we are in storing our Christmas lights . . . at least one strand won't work when we go to decorate our tree.  I have repeatedly found Christmas lights in their original packaging for $1-$2.   I've never, ever, regretted buying them.



 

 

4.  White platters

 

 

 

 

 

I don't mind if the platters are a little chipped - it gives them character.  I mainly look to see that the platter is a nice shape with a fairly smooth surface.

 

I like to find platters because I like to monogram them using my Silhouette (for myself or for gifts).  I also like to put vinyl messages on them for the holidays.  Oh, and they are also great for actually serving food!  I'm not much of a colored-dish kind of girl - most of my dishes are white. I like to see the colors of the food stand out on the platter.

 

 

5. Interesting Picture Frames

 

 

 

 

As you can see, I don't  even care if they have the glass. I look past the color too; this one was an ugly gold color when I found it but we spray painted it black at one point and then white.  

 

I love unique picture frames.  We have been collecting frames and painting them white to create a little gallery of black and white photos up our stair case.  Maybe some day we will finish it.

 

Those are the top five items home-related I look for when I'm thrifting.  Of course I find other things too but these are the five things that I'm sure NOT to pass up if I find them. 

 

What would you add to the list?

 

 



Thrift Store Haul

This weekend I was able to spend some time thrifting for stuff to decorate our house for Christmas.  Watch the video to see what I found!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you found anything to decorate for the holidays at thrift stores?

 

 

Gangnam Style Delays Christmas Decorating

Yesterday, I was reading Facebook and I came across a friend who wrote,

 

"All Christmas presents bought, wrapped, bagged and tagged.  Now it's time to get the tree."

 

Seriously?!  

 

I almost puked.

 

I am wondering if she still has any Facebook friends left.

 

Okay, maybe I'm a little jealous.

 

I mean, I can still feel the belly ache from that "just a taste" of pumpkin pie.

 

My Thanksgiving mantel is still up, we haven't gotten our tree yet and our Christmas lights do not twinkle when I pull in the driveway at night.

 

Don't get me wrong: I LOVE the Christmas season and am just as eager as the next person to get my decorating up and my shopping done.

 

But there's something nice about taking it slowly ... enjoying each ritual.

 

I was feeling really good because I put together this little door decoration:

 

 

 

I found the ice skates at the Salvation Army over the summer and knew they would find their place in my Christmas decorating this year.

 

 

I wanted to decorate the door with something other than a wreath this year.  We are a little nervous that when winter weather really hits, those ice skates might bang against the glass and break it.

 

But our door is in serious need of being replaced anyway, so we decided to go ahead and take our chances.  If the glass gets broken, we'll just need a new door a bit sooner than we anticipated.

 

Maybe you think that's irresponsible. 

 

At first Jason did.

 

But when I came home after a day of thrifting, those skates were merrily hung on my door.

 

And Jason had a happy wife. 

 

I definitely hope the skates don't break the glass. I don't feel like buying a new door, but I sure am happy to see that little decoration when I pull in the driveway.

 

I'll be sure to keep you posted.



The only other Christmas festivities that have taken place in our house is that this little guy arrived with two gifts: one for Imani and Noah.

 

Good old Quinn returned from the North Pole with ornaments for Imani and Noah to hang on this year's tree.

 

Yes, we are THOSE people who have an Elf on the Shelf.  And YES, Imani "knows" but she's a girl who will always believe, which is one of the qualities I love most about her.  

 

 

So no, my presents aren't purchased or wrapped (I haven't even started yet),

 

my mantel is still set for Thanksgiving

 

And we don't have our tree(s).

 

I like to think it's because we like to gradually move into the Christmas season, but really it's probably because I sat around all weekend and watched Noah do his favorite dance to his favorite song, "Gangnam Style."

 

I love how he stops when the music stops.  He nails it every time.

 

 

 

 

 

What about you? Is your decorating done? Are your gifts wrapped?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Christmas Forest

Over the weekend, Imani and I decided to start creating some Christmas decorations.

 

I have a whole list on Pinterest of things I want to make this year

to give as gifts

to eat

to decorate. . .

We started with a simple project of making little Chistmas trees.

 

 

 

 

These were super easy.  We found thin cardboard boxes like cereal boxes, stove top stuffing boxes (love that stuff) and other pieces of cardboard that would bend easily.

 

Next, we made them into cones in various heights.

 

I almost forgot to take a picture of them! Excuse the poor quality - some of these were taken at night with only an iPhone!

 

 

 

 

We gathered up a variety of objects to decorate our trees such as ribbon, feathers, yarn, buttons and even lentils!

 

Next, we pulled out Imani's favorite tool:  the hot glue gun.

 

We began gluing the ribbon and feathers onto the cones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imani carefully wrapped hers with gold ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

We worked late into the night and finished seven trees to create a little forest.

 

They turned out super cute.

 

Here is one with all white buttons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one wrapped in gold ribbon with a piece of shimmery ribbon wrapped over that.

 

 

 

 

Here is one with with pieces of shimmery wrapping paper cut and curled.  It's a bit sloppy because it was one of the last trees we made and I was utterly exhausted.

 

 

 

 

Here is a one wrapped in fuzzy yarn.

 

 

 

And another one wrapped in thick, cream colored yard with some glam wrapped around it.

 

 

 

 

Here is the tree we rolled in lentils and then spray painted gold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the crazy feather tree . . . with a crazy dog in the mix.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maggie wasn't the only crazy one.  Imani was so tired, she was getting silly and kept pretending the trees were fangs.

 

 

 

And we both decided they could double up as new-year's hats!

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, we had a great time making these. I'm not sure where I'll put them yet, but you can bet you'll find them mixed in this year's holiday decor.  The best part was, they were free!

 

 

Thankful to Have a Thanksgiving Mantel

I knew what my Thanksgiving mantel would look like months ago.  I am a Pinterest addict, as I mentioned before.   I was inspired when I came across this photo on Pinterest and I knew I was going to hijack this idea with the old brown beer bottles.

 

                                                                                          Source: whipperberry.com via Shanon on Pinterest

 

I just thought it was the most adorable Fall mantel.  

 

One Sunday afternoon in the middle of a rain storm, Jason and I decided it would be a good idea to schlep around an OUTSIDE flea market.  We were only there for less than ten minutes because we quickly realized how foolish it was to drag our one year old around in a downpour.

 

But in those ten minutes, I found exactly what I was looking for:  a big box of old brown beer bottles.  I only needed six bottles to pull off the look I found on Pinterest.  The woman who was selling them was just trying to unload her stuff so she cut me a deal:  an enormous box of a variety of bottles for $5. 

 

So this weekend, I pulled out those old bottles, cleaned them off and printed out the word "Thankful" on my Silhouette. 

 

After I put the letters on the bottles, I put a wheat stalk in each bottle.

 

 

 

 

I filled a basket with pinecones and placed it on some world atlas books that were left in our house when we bought it.

 

 

 

 

 

On the other side of the mantel, I used the pumpkin Jason made me for Halloween and put some gourds up there with it to hide the plate we placed beneath it in case it begins to rot

 

SIDENOTE:

(As lovers of all things Fall, we keep pumpkins as long as we possibly can in our house.  Once, when I first met Jason, he bought me an enormous pumpkin and placed it in my living room.  This thing was gigantic - I don't think I could have even moved it if I tried.  I developed a sort of attachment to it because I loved that he bought me a pumpkin! A lot of guys buy their girlfriends flowers or jewelry but this guy bought me a PUMPKIN and I loved every bit of it. 

 

Needless to say, the pumpkin became a permanent decoration in my house . . . well into Spring, until one day Jason picked it up to discover a thick goo leaking out of it!  Ew. That's gross . . . so now we keep plates underneath just in case we keep the pumpkin longer than we should!)

 

 

You wonder why I'm not consistent with blogging?  Maybe because I tell a million stories and my posts always ramble on . .. I just can't help it.

 

Anyway, so I placed a pumpkin and some gourds on the left hand side of the mantel. 

 

 

You might remember, this pumpkin that Jason painted for me for Halloween this year.  I just turned that "31" around to the back so no one would see it. You can also see the plate that is underneath it in case it decides to leak goo.

 

 

 

I put an old window behind everything for a backdrop and there you have it, my Thanksgiving mantel.

 

 

Do you think it's HGTV worthy?  Am I famous yet?