Christmas Mantel- Let it Snow!

 My Christmas Mantel - Let it Snow!

Welcome to the start of my Christmas decorating! 

I have a snowflake theme going on in my family room with my mantel.

It all started when my girlfriend Alicia and I were shopping in Amish Country and we stumbled upon these red shutters.  They called out to us!  Just like the honey graham pretzels they sell at the bulk food store!

 

Next it was the bolt of red plaid burlap ribbon that spoke to us!

I used these giant snowflakes that I had hanging in my foyer last year as my big statement on the shutters which kind of created the theme.

I decided since I had just bought new stockings last year - I had to use them again, but I wanted a little bit different look.  So I used some of that plaid ribbon along with two other ribbon trims I found at Michaels.

Using my sewing machine I layered the three ribbons to make a wide band for the cuffs.  Then I just hand basted them onto the fur trim.  This way if I want to change them out for something different next year it will not be difficult to remove this trim.

All of my greenery is fake stuff.  I tried to layer it with different types of needles to make it look a little more real.  I tucked some in smaller snowflakes, pine cones, berries, a little ribbon and then also sprinkled everything with fake snow when I was done.

The wood trees are from Pat Catans, 

and the two big red lanterns anchoring the ends are from Kohl's.  

Now that I have started this room with a bold red and white theme, I will go from here to decorate the rest of this room.  Watch for more to come!

In the mean time I am linking this one up to:
Saturday Night Special @Saturday Night Special
A Homespun Christmas @ Savvy Southern Style
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Holiday Home Christmas Mantel Party @The Lettered Cottage
Christmas Mantel Link Party @52 Mantels
Tis the Season Party @Embracing Change

Thanksgiving Table-Not the only Tom at the Table

Ahh!  Thanksgiving!  The Turkey is taking center stage this year.

 Well - don't tell him but he is not the only Tom at the Table, he will be sitting with my husband, Tom, and our youngest, who we lovingly refer to as T.R.  -  also a Tom.

 I will have to admit right up front - I have never cooked a turkey!!  I have no longing to cook a turkey and I am fine with never having had to cook a turkey thus far in my life.  Oh sure, maybe some day - but my wonderful mother-in-law is only 20 years older than me and has always hosted Thanksgiving for our family.  That is just one of the many things I am thankful for!  Working in retail service for a toy company has me very busy this time of year.  I work very late on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and also get up early to work on Black Friday the next morning.  So cooking a huge meal and hosting this holiday has never been top on my list of must do's!

Although, I may not cook the dinner,  I do love setting the table!  As a child that was always one of the chores I never minded doing, especially for the holidays.  This was one of the few times my mom used her "good dishes"!  There was always something about the gravy boat that I loved!!  Weird, I know!

My dad and uncle always went pheasant hunting on Thanksgiving morning.  Hunting, fishing and growing our own food were means of many meals back then.  

If that were still the case - I would probably go hungry! Now the meaning for hunt is looking for a good recipe on Pinterest!

I picked a few mums from my garden for this beautiful fall ceramic piece that I just had to have because it matched the dishes!!  I wasn't sure if I was going to fill it with mashed potatoes or broccoli - but I think I like it filled with flowers even better.

My prayers continue to be with my friends on the east coast, still unsettled from Sandy and the storms following.  I hope all of you who stop in to read my blog now and then know how grateful I am for your friendship and how much I enjoy your comments.  I have a lot to be thankful for! 

 I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sources:

Dishes - tii Collections - Dol Harvest Leaves- from Butterchurn Kitchenware in Walnut Creek Ohio- a real deal at 40% off!!

Chargers - Better Homes and Garden- from Walmart

Flatware and amber water goblets- from World Market several months ago

Napkins - I made

Stick table runner - from Target last week

Giant Acorns with gold glitter - from Marshalls last year

Turkey - from Butterchurn Kitchenware in Walnut Creek

Wood Candle sticks and brown candles from Michaels

I will be linking with the following parties:

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Baby Gift Wrapping - More Girls!

Seems all of my daughter's good friends are having babies!!  No pressure Allie! You know I am dying to become a grandma, but all in good time!  

I enjoy shopping for baby gifts and love to try different ideas for wrapping them.

These happen to be for a sweet baby girl named Charlotte!  

These will be mailed out of state - so I wanted some decorations that would pack in a box without to much destruction.  I loved the soft color pallet of the scrap paper I had with soft pinks and greens.

I started with a neutral roll of off white paper, I purchased this roll at Michaels.  I figured I would use this for some of my Christmas gifts too. (I say that as if I have actually started my Christmas shopping!)

But with adding some rick rack and ribbon I made these very baby appropriate!

Can you tell I love buttons?

The flower below is made by using three different flower stamp and then cutting each of the flowers out by hand. I then layered the flowers and tucked some punched leaf fonds in for a little more interest.  These are one of my favorites to do.

I love the big thick chenille rick rack on this one too! It was just a left over scrap from another project- glad I am a bit of a hoarder, that jar of scraps comes handy sometimes! The pink and green behind the chenille are strips of scrap paper, I used a scallop punch along both edges.  

I wish baby Charlotte and her family wonderful healthy and happy times ahead!

I am linking to the following parties:
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
 Busy Monday @A Pinch of Joy

Thanksgiving Mantel

With Thanksgiving fast approaching I figured it was time to clear off the cobwebs left from my Halloween Mantel and do something more appropriate for the season. 

 So here is my Thanksgiving Mantel.

I think it looks much warmer and more welcoming with all of the candles lit!

I was inspired by an idea I saw on Pinterest of a Thanksgiving banner made from scrapbook paper.

The source of this beautiful banner is Stampingpro.com

I just loved the mix of colors and patterns and 

 wanted to incorporate this idea with using my little wood ladder.

Sticking with a fall color pallet of muted greens, oranges and browns, I made the tags and letters using my Cricut.  Most of the papers I used in this project were from a stack by DCWV called Rustic.

Below my Give Thanks Banner, I placed some small pillar candles in some glass dishes with white beans, and added more pillar candles and varying heights.

I found these acorn pedestals at Marshalls to anchor one end of the Mantel.  And at the other end  I used some ceramic pumpkins bought at Kohl's several years ago. 

I had to make sure that my candle flames were far enough away from my paper tags so that the whole thing didn't go up in flames!!  My father, a retired fireman, would not go for this at all.  But as always, use caution when burning real candles!

We have a lot to be thankful here in our household, we thank God everyday for our blessings, but it is nice to set a special day aside just to celebrate this occasion.

I am linking up to the following parties:
Thursdays are your Day @ 52 Mantels
Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage
Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Strut Your Stuff Saturday @ Six Sisters Stuff
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Busy Monday @ A Pinch of Joy
Your Gonna Love It @ Kathe with an E