Crafty Texas Girls: mantle

Showing posts with label mantle. Show all posts

3/14/13

Crafty How To: Easter Mantle with Chevron Wreath

Before blogging, I never changed out my mantle. Well maybe except for Christmas. Other than that I kept it the same because it was easier. I was afraid if I moved things around for a holiday like Easter then I wouldn't remember where everything was 'supposed to go' when the holiday was over. And then I would have try to decorate again and maybe it wouldn't look good.

But you know what, there really is no place that everything is 'supposed to go'. And it's just a mantle! So rearrange, switch things up, and try something new. There is so much beautiful holiday decor inspiration to be found on Pinterest. Take a chance, you might be surprised at what you can do with the items in your own home.

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9/26/12

Crafty How-To: Fall Mantle 2012

It is Officially Fall

As much as I resisted decorating for fall while we still have summer weather, I finally caved in.
I decorated my mantle and made 2 new wreaths.

My downfall was the orange burlap I found on-sale at JoAnn's a few weeks ago (if you follow me on facebook, you might have scored some on sale too!)

So on Saturday, armed with my orange burlap, one child napping, and the other happily playing in the yard, I sat on my driveway and made a wreath. When cutting burlap, working outside is preferable because it is messy! I ended up making 2 different types of fall wreaths, but today I will just show you the one I did for the mantle. (Come back later for the other one!)

My mantle wreath is based on the 'infamous' burlap wreath from last year. But this season, it is *new and improved* because instead of regular brown burlap, I used orange!

Burlap Wreath Tutorial

So if we weren't bloggy friends last fall, or you missed the tutorial, here is how it is done:
-Grab one wire hanger and untwist the top.
-Then shape it into a circle using your hands.
-Finally weave strips of 3 inch wide burlap on the hanger by poking the hanger through the middle of the burlap.

Tips for success

1. The more burlap, the better. Last year I only used 2 yards of burlap and it wanted to sag. So this time around I used 3-3.5 yards of burlap.

2. Create 'tension' in the burlap by twisting and flipping the burlap as you weave it back and forth on the hanger. The more twists and turns, the fuller the wreath.

Shop Your House

With my new wreath in hand, I decided it was time to spruce up my mantle. I cleaned everything off and started with a blank slate. Since my fireplace is painted dark brown, I think it looks best with contrasting decor. So, I added white pumpkins, candle sticks, orange pumpkins, books, white raffia orbs, and some mercury glass. You could also use vases, plates, bowls, candles or anything that complements your color/design scheme.

Everything on my fall mantle is from my house. I like to 'shop' my other rooms when decorating for the holidays- no need to go out and buy a bunch of themed items. I'd rather use things I already have and can use again. I think it keeps holiday decor looking a bit more chic!

Have you decorated for fall? Has the arrival of fall inspired you to craft anything new?

More fall decor ideas can be found on my 'tutorials' page at the top of the blog. Click here to see!

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Sharing my fall mantle at: Centsational Girl, Home Stories A to Z, Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello, Positively Splendid, and Too Much Time on My Hands, the 36th Avenue.
the Inspired Room

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9/27/11

Fall Mantle

It is officially fall! So despite the tank top and shorts I wore today, my pumpkins are finally out. I started with my mantle.

In the past, I have only changed my mantle for Christmas. But this year, I made a beautiful new Rosette Burlap Wreath and I couldn't bear to put it outside. The color scheme- bright orange, turquoise, lime green and burlap seemed better suited for indoors. Turquoise is my pop color, so the wreath is a fun way to coordinate and add some bright fall colors to my home.

To make this wreath, just read the detailed 'how-to' for this Rosette Burlap Wreath and get more fall decor ideas in my October column over at SouthlakeMoms .

I had a good time 'shopping my house' for the mantle decor. I stacked a few old family books to create height variations. Then I used a mini cake stand and a candle stick as 'pumpkin pedestals'.

This is one of 'oven cleaner antique' mirrors- it usually lives upstairs in the playroom. The little stone bird migrated in from the kitchen.

I created mini-burlap bunting using left over scraps from the wreath project.

I love these fat pumpkins. My mom has a small garden in her backyard. A few months ago, she and Afton planted pumpkin seeds in the hopes of growing a little jack-o-lantern. But our extreme heat and drought had hurt the vines. They are blooming, but probably won't produce any pumpkins. Never the less, when we went to visit my mom, these two cute pumpkins were nestled in the garden. The girls were thrilled to 'pick a pumpkin' from Grammy's garden. So it is only fitting that they are proudly on display.

I like how the turquoise details tie in with the rest of my 'regular' decor. Lots of textured neutrals with a that burst of color.

What about you- do you change your mantle for the seasons?

Oh and did you know that it is perfectly acceptable to spell 'mantle' with an 'el' or an 'le'? Which way do you prefer? I like the 'le' way! That's the elementary school teacher in me :)