Our {First} Merry Mantle!

I can’t tell you how much fun I had setting up our mantle. After over 5 years of marriage, this is the first mantle we have been able to decorate! I am yet to add stockings, I have a little DIY project up my sleeve for some hooks to hold them… but, I wanted to get this up in time for the Holiday Home Link Party! I am having a lot of fun with this… it is good motivation to get my house ready for Christmas. You can find my first link up here. Today was a bit interesting to say the least… but the boys did well, and E helped me plop pinecones into jars, and oversaw the set up of things.

So… I built this mantle last week while Matt was away. It is an electric fireplace, and while it give a nice ambience it also gives off quite a bit of heat. It is pretty simple… but I must say how much more we are using our living room already! Suddenly you want to curl up on the couch and read a book… or drink a cup of tea. It is amazing what a focal point can do to a room… So, without further adieu here is my first Christmas mantle. Simple, sweet, and in reds and creams… with a touch of blue…

Matt and I purchased this at green house during a Christmas open house on Saturday… I love it. The red is so sweet, and the swinging tea lights are just a little bit whimsical. I love gardens, and this reminds me a bit of a garden lantern combined with a bird house oh my logic…

I don’t think my display would be complete without the inclusion of mason jars. I had this white stuff (I don’t know what else to call it?) that I mixed with some pine cones… actually E did the mixing. The driftwood is from Dan & Christy’s beach, which Matt picked up during his trip last week! We miss you guys…

The runner is a piece of fabric I purchased to make a few throw pillows… which I obviously haven’t done yet. Love the stripes.

I gift wrapped a few packages and tied them off with some red yarn form the dollar store. Completed with more “white stuff” wodden bobbles and a pine cone. I brought in some more of the hymn sheets in the wrapping of the top package… as you can see

Yesterday I posted a tutorial for my Sheet Music Wreath. I have seen similar designs on pinterest and blogs… and though this would be a fun addition!

Ta Da! There you have our Merry Mantle! Thanks for stopping by Mamas Dance.