Low Key Valentine Mantel

I've changed my mantel more since I've been blogging than ever before.

I really wasn't one to switch it up for seasons and holidays but blogging has changed me.

I was enjoying the clock from our New Year's Eve mantel but suddenly this afternoon it was time for a change. 
 


 What's different you ask?
The Ethan Allan clock has been the mantel staple for the last few years. 
I love it. 
 It remains the starting point for every mantel. 
The old books with the spines turned to the back are a staple as well. 



In a bold move the clock is on a different side this time.
Wow!
"Don't go crazy!" 
Some white candlesticks provide balance to the asymmetrical scheme. 
I like things that are asymmetrical. 
Symmetry makes me a little nervous. 
It's not me.

The cranberry glass vase came from Bill's Granny Vi. 
 


It looked good with the propped tin heart. 



  The empty frame came back into service to add some "chippy" texture. 
This old frame has been chalk painted.
I revealed bits of the old mahogany finish with a damp rag. 
You read that correctly. 
No sand paper-water!
 


The first couple of attempts at a Valentine's Day mantel design were fails. 



I liked elements of each mantel but things weren't coming together.
I show these to convey that sometimes things don't go according to plan the first time.

Keep playing with your decor until you like it.

I've been so enamored with pink, I thought this mantel would be pink.
Cranberry red works this time. 
 


It says Happy Valentine's Day without fanfare, fuss or glitter.
I love that stuff but not this year.

 

 That is what has kept me busy this afternoon. 

What have you been up to?

Katie 

Super Easy Fall Banner

This banner was super easy and it is no sew!
You gotta love no sew!

 I saw all those fabric pennant type banners that were floating around Pinterest last fall.
 I decided to make one from my stash of drop cloth material.

Here is what you need.

Fabric, glue gun, twine, scissors, paint, brush and stencils.
I bought a set of Alphabet stencils at Walmart for about $4.00 and I have gotten my money's worth out of these.
Blue Hawk is my favorite brand of drop cloth, 8 oz. weight not 10oz. They are $5.96. I will buy 3 or 4 at a time, wash them up and have them ready for projects or tablecloths.  
I used the sewn edge of the drop cloth as the top of my banner because I was feeling too lazy to get out the sewing machine.

I decided that I wanted a fall banner so I cut 4 triangles near the edge of the drop cloth. 
You may want to use a piece of paper as a pattern to get the triangle the size you want it. I had a do-over with my first attempt. The triangles
 were too wide at the top and too far apart.  

 I didn't cut it all the way to the sewn edge of the banner. I left an inch or two for a little more strength. 
The first triangle became the template for my second, so they would all be the same size.

I stenciled the letters and let it dry.

Dab the paint in the stencil in an up and down motion, using a semi dry brush. If the brush is too wet, paint will leak underneath the stencil and ruin your piece.

I tied a knot at the end of the twine and hot glued it to the banner.

The other poofy garland is just a length of twine with strips of burlap and dropcloth tied to it. 

I looped both around some nails in the mantel and added a string of halogen lights.

I made another one that says boo.

Wouldn't this be fun for a child's birthday party?
A custom pennant banner with the name of the birthday child. 
Easy, custom and new sewing!!

I will be making more of these. 

Katie   
Linking with,

From My Front Porch To Yours   
The Brambleberry Cottage  
French Country Cottage   
The Charm of Home 
Dwellings-The Heart of the Home  
Poised Perfection  
The Scoop  
Common Ground