Friday, February 5, 2010

From Winter to Valentines – A Mantel Story

I have so much fun decorating my mantel now that I figured out some good core pieces! Here is my Valentines day mantel and the before and after of all the details

DSC09695

Yes that is our TV above! I do need to do something about those cords! UGH And I couldn’t find the art comcast used to have on demand to put there for the picture :(

Before After - whole

As you can see the layout is VERY similar! This means just a few simple changes! I didn’t have the candle lit in the valentines pictures

before after - 1

So here I emptied out the apothecary jar and filled with brown basket fill from dollar tree that I had on hand. Then I shredded some music paper and put it in too. Then added a cream “M” for our last name tied with burlap, silky fabric, and pink ribbon. Tied the same trio around the bird bell. I am going to get a milk glass vase to round this out here but haven’t gotten one yet.

before after - 2

Here I removed the silver star and added a silver plate behind the candles instead. Then just switched out the sweaters for music paper and added heart ornaments to the front. They are much pinker IRL! They look very red in the pics but they look like vintage ornaments IRL.

before after - 3

Here I switched the candles out since those were about gone. They are taller but were brown. I wanted pink candles so I just wrapped some paper I had around them where you can see through the glass. Removed the feather wreaths and wrapped in burlap and silky fabric. Then cut a bird out of music paper – glued to cardstock, added a felt heart shaped wing and hot glued on.

before after - 4

The before was blah. It was one of the parts that wasn’t working for me before. So a clear vase came from the other side and was wrapped in music with the word love! I got this wood candle at Kohl’s. It was Christmas at 90% off or something crazy so it was less than $2. I carved in a heart and the “K + S” for our names then filled in with dark brown marker so you could see it

before after - 5

Again unwrapped and re-wrapped candles. Bell jar switched out with Milk Glass. During Transition after valentines these candles will still look good with just the hearts removed!

before after - 6

small cloche… Brought out the love birds! put cloche behind them over there nest. Brought small vase over from other side and put faux cherry blossom in off of larger branches.

 before after - 7

Again a little rearranging – rewrap – battery candle plopped in crystal for now. Picked two of these faux candles up for $0.48 each!!!! At a local hardware store. Switched out hanging snowflake in frame with something I threw together with a sticker, streamers, sheet music and card stock. I will show you how in a future post!

 before after - 8

Again in winter I didn’t get around to putting something in my nest :( Now I added birds in a yummy nest and the bell jar replaced with milk glass vase. Tied more burlap, sweater and pink ribbon around the top.

DSC09706

I LOVE their little nest!!!! and YES those are the white bird ornaments that were at the Dollar Tree at Christmas! Of course I bought TONS of them! I LOVE THEM! I just pulled out the hanging string and removed the wire from their feet!

 

Hope you enjoyed! Can’t wait to show you how easy this will transition to spring!!! :)

 

I’m Linking to:

image Making The Girl Creative

 

10 comments:

Tammy@InStitches

Your love birds are really cute and I like the way you used sheet music. Thanks for stopping by !

Tracy

Wow! I love all your Valentine touches! I'm glad you focused on each one. Some great ideas, there! Your birds (all of them) are adorable! = )

Beth@The Stories of A to Z

Such great tips on how to use the same items and update them for the holidays. Thanks for linking up to the party!

HouseMama

Stoppping by from The Stories of A to Z. Wow - I don't know where to start. You have so many cute touches for Valentine's (and of course, Christmas). The feather wreath is so cute and I LOVE the idea of the wood candle with your initials carved in. I think I'll have to stay awhile and look at some more of your great ideas.

Christianne @ Little Page Turners

Very nice! I love all those little details and you did such a great job switching them. I am HORRIBLE at accessorizing, so I really am impressed. :)

Jessica

Wow! Lots of great ideas. I just love before and after pics and I'm a sucker for anything with birds!

Sarah

You are too stinking creative. I LOVE all the step by step pics!
God's blessings,
Sarah :D

Jennifer

The K + S candle rocks! I love it!

seven thirty three

Gorgeous! I love the little love birds in the cage! Too cute.

You gave me some great ideas for my own mantle.

Kim
733blog.blogspot.com

Tiffany

I love that! I like that you just leave the same items and dress them up, that makes it so nice! Thanks for sharing and for linking back!