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

Jingle Bell Mason Jar Christmas Lantern

I'm looking forward to the Christmas Holiday.

I'm starting to make my little Christmas crafts, and wanted to share my Christmas Lantern with you. It's real simple to make. You can use them as a decor item on your mantle, window, or front porch, or give them as a gift.

• start with a simple mason jar
• add silver  bells or pine cones

• tie a little piece of silver ribbon, into a bow around the jar

• add a couple jingle bells for embellishment
• insert a tea light candle, you can use the little battery operated ones so you can put the lid back on the jar.

• Tie a bit of wire around the top to create a handle by twisting the sides

• Turn on your candle and put the lid on. (If using a real tea light candle, leave lid off)

The little tea light that I used actually have their own internal timer and they go on for 5 hours and off for 19 hrs. they vary colors, from white to red, to green to blue. I picked them up at Home Depot.

You can also just get them in just white, and set them all in a row. Hang them from a flower pot holder.

Or a little spot on your buffet.

And just sit back and watch it flicker.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and beautiful Holiday season.
Posting at:
Funky Junk Interiors
Pink Saturday
DIY Showoff
Christmas Inspiration party
Metamorphis Monday
The girl Creative
Crafty Lassie Tuesday
Sassafrass Salvation