‘Tis the season to decorate all surfaces of your house. Fa la la la la, la la la la.
First up. The mantel.
I went with a woodsy snowflake motif this year. I also embraced the television. Who wants a beautiful mirror with a ton of snowflakes on it over their mantel? Not this girl. Nope. (That’s a lie.) Even so, I’m still happy with how it turned out.
I tried out the ol’ Epsom salt in a Mason jar (a blogger holiday favorite). The pharmacist in me enjoyed the fact that I was using medicine to decorate. It’s hard being me.
I made the stockings that are hanging by the lack of chimney with care. Turns out I’m allergic to burlap. (Tutorial on Friday. Get. Excited. Because my sinuses aren’t.)
This is the point where Nate asked me how many photos one could have of a tiny area. I had to give him that one.
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sources: Trees (Michael’s), Snowflakes (Salvation Army and Hobby Lobby), Stocking holders (Hobby Lobby 2011), Mason jars (Hobby Lobby), Garland (Target), Stockings (Handmade. Tutorial on Friday.)
You can see our 2011 mantel here. I definitely think my mantel eye is improving.
Are you done decking the halls? Just started? What’s your mantel motif this year?
Linking up to: The Lettered Cottage, Ten June, Finding Silver Pennies
Have a handmade gift post? Be sure to link up here!
Love it all! You certainly are getting better at this, sorry about the burlap mishap, I can't stand working with it either because it's so itchy. That being said, I can't wait for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI love you. Falalalalala. And and I love your mantel. I, too, this Epsom salts are the bomb. And I'm about as far from a pharmacist as you can get. But since we're friends, I'm sort of a pharmacist by default.
ReplyDeleteALSO - YOU MADE THOSE STOCKINGS? You.are.awesome. World domination.
It looks adorable! I love the little mini-trees on the mantel, and the stockings look fantastic. I'm so glad you suffered through the agony of sewing with burlap for our benefit :-)
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I love the stocking holders.
ReplyDeleteI also love that you also have a giant TV above your mantel. It's obviously the place that makes the most sense, but it drives me crazy that I can't decorate like crazy because of it. I might steal your little tree idea on either side, though :)
Epsom salts and burlap - you are obviously a blogger - LOL! Love it! Very elegant and I am very impressed with the stockings!
ReplyDeleteCheers! - Shelley
Can you come decorate my mantel, too? I have no idea what to do with it. I also have not actually made my stockings that I SWEAR I'm going to make. So, fail on that account. The burlap looks fantastic. Breathing is distinctly overrated.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the mantel! Those stockings are beautiful - I'm impressed by them.
ReplyDeleteOur decorating is pretty much finito! I still need to take pictures of the Christmas tree and post it - hopefully by tomorrow!
It is lovely! Very warm and cozy. I like.
ReplyDeleteAll these mantles are making my mantle feel bad about itself. I think I need do something a little more interesting.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love the look of mason jar candles and burlap stockings. My poor stocking is hanging from the TV stand since I don't have a fireplace ;)
ReplyDeleteI normally am attracted to bright, colourful mantles but I have to say that this is very appealing indeed. I love the mason jars with salt and candles and I think the natural look is something I could do as well. I'm a convert!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks sooo good! I love the stockings- totally work your sinuses hating you. I also really love the stocking holders. The mini trees are genius!
ReplyDeleteI must be living in a cave. I have never heard of using salt in a jar - and I love it!
ReplyDelete*Gulp* *Sob* I don't have a mantel anymore....wahhhhhh. I have to console myself with other surfaces. I LOVE your design though, I saw those cute little trees at Michael's and fell in love! And your stockings are adorable!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you suffered through your burlap allergy to complete these stocking because I'm really looking forward to the tutorial. Found your blog the other day and am so happy I did!
ReplyDeleteThe mantel looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteMichelle-your mantle is beautiful. I'm loving those stockings, but I would probably use a different material. I have the same response to burlap. Why does it have to be so pungent and smelly?
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was looking for some stocking holders before I did my mantel but I couldn't find them anywhere! I love yours!
it looks great! love the trees on the ends!
ReplyDeleteYour mantle is really lovely. The stocking and hooks are perfection!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! There's something so sweet and happy about those trees on the end. Love.
ReplyDeleteso pretty! everything looks perfect! I also wish for a large mirror on our mantel but the rumor is there will be a tv installed next week. boo
ReplyDeleteThat TV is breathtaking... and the mantel is pretty nice too. But that TV! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted about our mantel yet (mainly because I just finished it 5 min ago), but I see some similarities. Girl you have good taste! ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Great job on those stockings. Sorry to hear about the allergy attack, but I think it was worth it!
ReplyDeleteb-e-a-utiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I love your snowflakes and all greenery. Those burlap stockings are so cute and I love the epsom salt in the jars with candles. I did that last year on our table and it really looks beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your mantel at our Home for the Holidays link party.
ReplyDeleteHa, I kind of like the TV over the mantel concept. Seriously! I mean, a sparkly mirror is all kinds of pretty, but how functional and sleek looking is a TV? Can you tell my hubs has gotten into my brain? : ) Love your Christmas mantel!
ReplyDelete