My Christmas Mantel 2011

Today I finally got my Christmas mantel together. Yippee Skippee I am so excited!

I was inspired by a picture in Southern Living magazine. 

Southern Living Mag

I had fun gathering stuff I had already to create my version. I made these stockings from dropcloth and vintage lace, I picked up in Cape May, NJ

Some fluffy white snow

A bit of white tulle fabric with silver stars.

Filled the top with greens picked from the yard and white decorations I normally stick in the tree, silver balls and pine cones.

 Love the fluffy white and silver.

 And although I don't have access to paper whites, like the magazine shot, I love how mine turned out.
The Southern Living shot, top left.

My Mantel, top left..

These little pails are the only thing I didn't already have in the house, and I found them at target for 1 dollar each. So I spent 4 bucks.
I have a deep dark desire to paint my entire mantel white, but no time this year, so when I found a picture I loved of a wood mantel I made a note of it, and planned on doing something as similar as possible.

The bottom area on the left in Southern Living Mag..

and my version..

I was going to wrap a real gift with some brown paper but I couldn't resist these cute bags at Target, I know I will use for $ 1.00

My final version after a few tweeks. I like the addition of the large jingle bells.

 I moved some of the bottom items to something a bit more agreeable for us.

I will probably change the center to a manger scene in a few days. 

I have a great old pure white manger scene from avon that my mom bought me many years ago and I traditionally always use that.  Unless I decide to go elsewhere with it.

This one will do until I get to more boxes in the basement though.

So this is my christmas mantel for 2011

And this is the Inspiration Photo

Well, I don't have those wonderful built ins next to my fireplace, but I used what I had.

I am participating in the Holiday Copy Cat challenge 

there's a party all week long 

Lot's of great parties I will be joining:Met MondayShow off your cottageThrifty Tuesday @ Coastal CharmMantel Link Party White Wendesday