Rustic Winter Mantel

I finally got the Christmas decorations put away!

How about you?

I usually DON’T decorate my mantel… EXCEPT for Christmas.

And normally…after Christmas…

I stick this huge single canvas painting up there until next Christmas.

BUT THIS YEAR…

I decided to have a little RUSTIC FUN with my mantel!

It took me a couple of tries to get it where I wanted it.

This was my FIRST attempt:

BUT… NOPE…

it didn’t sit well with me.

Maybe a little too country?  I don’t know.

((Soooo))

Here’s the second attempt for my Rustic Winter Mantel… 

((with a little living room staging involved!))

Recognize the Game Board?

(I borrowed the table top from my old crate table)

I love texture…

so I tried to create texture in my display by combining

woven placemats, old & new metal, old wood, twine and winter wheat.

So… now for a little staging fun…

This is a more of a simple look… I like it!

BUT…

I had to have a LITTLE more fun in my “play time”

by adding a few pieces!

My cat has the right idea here!

Yeah… I could see myself cozying up to the fire with a

hot cup of coffee, a snuggly blanket and a good book!!

(SIGH)

So much fun to play around with décor… isn’t it?!!

Well Folks…

there we have it… 

My Rustic Winter Mantel.

Thanks for Stopping By!!

Hope everyone had a safe New Years and will be greatly blessed in 2012!!

Now go get warm… it’s cold outside!!

 

I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas…

 

Well… dreamin’ is right.

Because there won’t be any snow in Tennessee this Christmas…

or at least not outside???

That’s right folks… I brought it indoors this year…

with a FLOCKED Christmas Tree!

I mean… doesn’t it look like real snow???  So cool!

It is my first one e-vuh!

I had them go a little light with the flock

because I wanted to see some green.

Now all I need are presents under the tree!

Let’s see…3 more days ‘til Christmas… YIKES!

Better get shopping!! LOL!

But before I go…

I want to wish everyone a

Very Merry Christmas

&

 

A Happy New Year!!

May they both be filled with joy, peace and many blessings!!

 

My Christmas Barn Mantel

 

So… it hit me…

Why not bring the outdoors in…

by BUILDING an OLE RUSTIC Christmas Barn…

For my Christmas mantel this year!

Since I didn’t have any scrap wood, I had to take a trip to the hardware store.

I found some light cut wood and came up with a plan.

Here… I’ve cut and glued some of the pieces together as you can see.

Now… it’s starting to take shape with the beginning stages of FAUX PAINTING.

Remember… I wanted RUSTIC!

After the faux painting was done, I cut some strips and added that ole barn door.

with a little BLING, BLING!!

Ready for the WHOLE finished barn?

DrUm RoLL PLeASe…

TA DA!

I LIKE!!

Now…

Here’s some Christmas Barn Mantel photos for you to enjoy…

 

Notice the snowy branches?

They came from flocked scrap branches at a nursery…free! 

 

I added some stacked wood around the barn for an outdoor feel.

The lights all around the barn make it real nice and cozy at night!

And that’s my 2011 Christmas Barn Mantel!

What’s great about this piece is that I can use it anytime of the year.

OK…well…

Next up… the Christmas Tree!

I did something this year… I’ve never “had done” before!

Hope your Christmas Season has been Merry and Bright!!