Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Year of Mantels - January

Happy New Year!!

So I came up with this brilliant idea. The brilliant idea being that I want to decorate our fireplace mantel in a different theme decor each month and keep the cost of the decor under $20 per month, using new (to me) and existing items that I have. For my January mantel I decided on a snow/ice/cold theme.

I have to confess, I have had this idea in my head since decorating our mantel for Halloween this past October, but let's face it, October, November and December's decor is a given with the holidays in those months. So I really didn't want to start posting about it until January, after all I am calling this project "A Year of Mantels."

So, let's get this show on the road.  My blank canvas:


I have been gathering things for my January mantel for about the past month or so and haunting local thrift shops and after Christmas sales. Here is what I came up with to use and the amount I spent:



Thrift store finds:
 Basket with pine cones $2. Small round votive holder $.25. Urn $1.
I took this picture after spray painting everything silver. The urn was a funky gray/primer color. They actually wanted $2 for it but my husband kept saying it was ugly because it was several different colors of paint, so they lowered the price to $1 (he still didn't want me to buy it, silly man, just didn't see the potential like I did). The basket and votive holder were brass.


50% off clearance finds:
Winter swag with birds and pinecones: $12.50 at K-Mart
Glitter ornaments: $2.00 at K-Mart
White pom poms: $1.25 at Dollar General

I'm sure K-Mart is probably 75% off their Christmas stuff now, but I really, really, REALLY wanted that bird swag and stalked the store until it went 50% off and bought one.



75% off clearance find:
Holiday velvet floral pieces:  $1.00 each at WalMart

Items I used but already had:
Glass vase, silver charger, candles, silver candle holder, picture frame, book, silver spray paint, white acrylic paint, white boucle yarn, 4 styrofoam balls.

Total spent: $22.00
($2.00 over my target of $20.00)


The decor process:

First (not pictured) I spray painted the basket, votive and urn with silver spray paint.  Then I brushed white acrylic paint on the edges of the pine cones to make them look snowy. I did also try dabbing the paint brush in silver glitter but it didn't show up much so I quickly nixed that idea. Me and glitter, we don't gel well. I tend to get it everywhere! I'm sure there is some between my toes as I'm typing this.


I found 4 styrofoam balls when I dug around in my craft stuff so decided to make a few snowballs. I just wrapped some white boucle yarn I had around them.


Then I started putting it all together. Here is the silver charger with candles on it and the bird swag wrapped partially around it. The glass vase holds the boucle yarn snowballs and some of the glitter ornaments.


This picture shows the picture frame with a photo of our yard filled with snow. I love that photo because it is so serene and fits in perfect with my mantel decor! Next to that is the thrift store votive holder and basket. The basket has pine cones, some of the glitter ornaments and pom poms in it. The bird swag continues to wrap around up over the corner of the picture frame and over the basket. I love how the little birds on the swag are perched on everything. 


Here is the urn with the velvet flowers and some glitter pom poms inside. I set it on a book just to give a little more character. The bird swag continues to wrap around this and I added an extra pinecone and candle here.


And voila! The final outcome:


I just love it!

Here is an evening shot of it:

Thanks for looking. Would love to know if you decorate your mantel monthly, leave me a comment and a link to your blog as I'd love to see others!

Until next time,

53 comments:

  1. Hi there, I think you did a great job with your mantel using bargain things. It looks very pretty. Happy New Year!
    Blessings,
    Pamela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JOIN THE ILLUMINATI
      Whatsapp only +2348140033827 OR info. smith666illuminati@gmail.com
      JOIN THE ILLUMINATI FROM USA, OR ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD TODAY BE RICH, FAME, AND POSSES POWER.email us on info. smith666illuminati@gmail.com OR call us on +2348140033827 for immediate initiation New members registration is now open online now !!!!!
      If you are interested, call the agent now +2348140033827 or send your email to info.
      smith666illuminati@gmail.com

      Add us on whatsapp

      join Illuminati for free today ..........

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful mantel! I love all of the blue and white and silver. And the velvet flowers and sweet little birds are awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your winter mantel looks fabulous! You did a great job. Love the colors.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks great! I just need to get a mantle then I will decorate it all of the time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cute! I love the snowy pine cones and the yarn snow balls! :) Hope you'll stop by my weekly party!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the silver and blue! Now I want to go buy a can of silver spray paint and go to town! If you have time, I would love for you to link this post to my blog party at http://firstadream.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your mantel. I will follow you so I can check your new ones out each month.
    Happy January!

    ReplyDelete
  8. thanks for coming by my blog ~ your mantle is very pretty ~ my favorite colors of silver, white and blue. And I love the clock over the mantle too.
    :)Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great job! I love the colors you used. I wish I had a mantel. Thanks so much for linking this up!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice job! Silly husbands! They really just don't get it sometimes. ;) I look forward to seeing next month's mantel! :)
    Thanks so much for linking up! I hope you'll stop by Tute {Yourself} Tuesday again next week!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your January mantle look and have just featured it on my latest post -
    http://firstadream.blogspot.com/2011/01/re-party-inspired-by.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your mantel looks very pretty. I do not do mine every month but more on a seasonal basis. I do like to change things up often though, so it might get changed sooner.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kim, what a cheery mantle! I loved this. It's so bright and happy.

    Speaking of which... Happy Seasonal Sunday to you!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. P.S. I like the idea of doing different mantlescapes!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a pretty wintry mantel Kim! I love your clock (I've got one on my mantel too)!

    Thanks for linking up to Free for All!

    Hannah @ http://youngancrafty.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. So pretty, I love that swag! And putting a snow picture up is brilliant, I might have to copy that ;) (if I can find a picture of the ONE time we actually had snow!)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful! For the first time ever, I live in a house with a mantel, and now it's my goal to have it decorated seasonally!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love how this mantel all came together! Beautiful! I am a new follower and can't wait to see all the mantels you create each month this year.

    Courtney
    frog2fab.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. New to your blog, but WOW thats an awesome mantel. I love the birds and pine cones. Im gonna have to run to Kmart today and see if they have that garland still here in New Jersey.
    I change out many displays in my house monthly (its my decorating disorder.lol) The mantel is the major one tho!

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's lovely and your snowballs turned out fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You're off to a good start... Can't wait to see what future months bring.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love all the blue and Silver! I am also a bargain shopper, feels sooooo good to save!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great thrift shop finds and a beautiful mantel too. Well done. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. The snowballs are fabulous, simple but pretty and I love all of your candles. The mantel looks so cozy at night! Great job!

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a wonderful mantel. I love that you pulled out all of your crafting stuff.

    Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your mantel looks great! And I just love after Christmas deals! =] Thanks for linking up @ trendy pockets, hope you visit again next weekend! Jamie @ trendypockets.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point.
    You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just
    posting videos to your site when you could be giving us
    something enlightening to read?

    my blog post :: how to buy penny stocks
    My website > buy penny stocks online

    ReplyDelete
  28. What i do not realize is actually how you're not actually much more neatly-favored than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You already know therefore significantly on the subject of this topic, produced me personally believe it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women aren't involved until it's one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. At all times deal with it up!

    my weblog :: how can i earn money onlinehow make money fast

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the helpful information you supply on your articles.
    I'll bookmark your weblog and test again right here frequently. I am quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right right here! Good luck for the next!

    My blog :: day trading strategiesforex option

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think this is among the most significant
    info for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things,
    The website style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D.
    Good job, cheers

    Take a look at my web site :: how to make easy fast money

    ReplyDelete
  31. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time
    and actual effort to create a good article… but what can I say… I put things
    off a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

    Also visit my web-site: make Money fast Online for free

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great info. Lucky me I ran across your site by accident (stumbleupon).
    I have saved as a favorite for later!

    Take a look at my website work From home Jobs online

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by error, while
    I was searching on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I
    am here now and would just like to say many thanks
    for a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute
    but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read more,
    Please do keep up the fantastic b.

    my site; work from home jobs in ma

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for some other informative website. Where else
    could I am getting that type of information written in such an
    ideal means? I've a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

    Also visit my web-site :: top 5 ways to make money online

    ReplyDelete
  35. I really like reading an article that will make men and women think.
    Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!

    my web-site; buying penny stocks

    ReplyDelete
  36. Appreciation to my father who stated to me on the
    topic of this weblog, this web site is truly
    amazing.

    My page - make money fast

    ReplyDelete
  37. I always spent my half an hour to read this webpage's articles or reviews every day along with a cup of coffee.

    My homepage - make real money online

    ReplyDelete
  38. I visited multiple websites however the audio quality for audio songs current at this web
    site is actually excellent.

    Also visit my weblog: work online from home

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just couldn't depart your website before suggesting that I actually loved the usual info a person provide to your guests? Is gonna be again incessantly to check out new posts

    Here is my web site: how can kids earn money

    ReplyDelete
  40. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic
    however I'd figured I'd ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest
    authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website addresses a lot of the same topics as
    yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

    I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!


    my web blog ... Jobs Online

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written
    article. I'll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.

    Take a look at my page - how can i get free money
    Also see my website :: where to get free money

    ReplyDelete
  42. I truly love your website.. Great colors &
    theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply
    back as I'm hoping to create my own blog and would love to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thank you!

    Here is my page; get money now for free

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this
    blog loading? I'm trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.
    Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

    Check out my site ... make money now for free

    ReplyDelete
  44. This is very attention-grabbing, You're a very professional blogger. I have joined your feed and sit up for searching for more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks

    My webpage ... need money fast free

    ReplyDelete
  45. Appreciate this post. Will try it out.

    my weblog :: day trading Options

    ReplyDelete
  46. Тo meгely encourage as numerouѕ indivіduаls ωhеn they could to ρаrtake оf,
    which is thе reason theу provide a lot of onlіne сasino to get anyonе thгoughout.
    Liѕted here аre a few teсhniques you cаn chοse the onlinе casino gives aсcessible speedіly,
    thereby sаving yоu timе, and іn addіtion improving the mοneу
    of which yοu'll need to participate in together with at these types of World-wide-web Casino web-sites.

    ReplyDelete

I really love your comments and read them all!!

Blog Archive