{Post 1,298} Winter Mantle and Chalkboard

Since I took the Christmas decorations down today, I had a few minutes to play with some winter mantle ideas.  I think this still needs something, but it's late, and I'm tired.

I read Psalm 74 this morning and was struck by this verse, perfect for my chalkboard!

I am a complete novice at lettering chalkboards, but I did the one above in about 15 minutes.  It's an original (who would publish that online, right?).  If one makes a mistake, a wet washcloth makes it all go away!!  These are fun, fast, and easy!

{Post 1,287} Mantle 2013

If you've been reading very long, you know I recently painted the bricks around my fireplace.  I could barely wait for time to decorate for Christmas.  Here is my 2013 mantle.  I just finished moving the garland up on the top of it instead of hanging down in front and ADDED WHITE LIGHTS.  I love it.

Here's last year:

{Post 1,275} Two Long-Term Projects Finished

                             

This quilt is washed and dried, and ready for the next time we see Emily.

Here is the finally finished living room.  The new quilt is on a new hanger (a decorative curtain rod with faceted glass finials on the ends).  The quilt measures about 44" square.  Wes is going to trim down the weighted bar in the bottom sleeve.  Patience, patience!

Our fireplace works like new since it's been cleaned, the screen has been cleaned, and it looks mah-vel-ous!!

{Post 1,180} Chalkboard Ideas

Yesterday I did a little redecorating at the Parker ranchero. We were going out for salads with a couple.  It was the husband's birthday.  Can you guess his name?

The above sign was made at the last minute.  I had things to do inside!  I "shopped my house" for all these items and come up with a patriotic mantle.  A little early, but our friends were coming over (and the Valentine mantle had to go) as well as my daughter is coming today.  

Here's a little patriotic decor to inspire you:

I got the chalkboard idea from a picture I saw from a woman who designs "chalkboard" printouts on Photoshop.  Mine is hand drawn (evident by the variation in the letter size!).  

Those shutters might never come down from the mantle.  I am making a couple patriotic wreaths some time soon.

Now it's outside to plant a few annuals and a lovely white digitalis/foxglove plant I procured yesterday.

{Post 1,111} Spring Mantle Finished

It is no exception that everything I do takes way longer than I think it will.  This simple scene took so long to get together.

Here is the finished product:

My new friend, Kath, asked for more info on making the wreath.  Here are abbreviated directions.  A styrofoam wreath form, fabrics cut with pinking shears (I used a pinking blade on my rotary cutter) into 2-1/2" squares, a metal knitting needle to push the squares into the wreath about 1/2" apart after applying a dab of hot glue at the point.  I made a row along where the "flat" of the wreath would be, leaving the back uncovered then filled in rows up to the top.  I put the right side of the fabric towards the center (although I picked a fabric that would look good from both sides on purpose).  I pinned the ribbon into the back when I was ready to hang it.

Here are a few pictures of the wreath in progress:

I like the wreath because it looks so fluffy, like cherry blossoms or a hydrangea blossom or something like that.

Here are some shutter/window pictures.  I got all of them at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in town.  A dollar per piece.  I broke the single-pane glass out of the window, sanded it just a tad, removed the weather stripping, and painted it with several coats.  Then I asked my DH to add a horizontal piece to give the wreath more stability after it was hung.  The shutters took 3 coats of paint.  I'll likely do another one later.  I just put a tiny nail in the back of the window frame to hang the wreath from the back.  Some in process pictures.  Notice the brown shutters lying on the shelf behind the window frame (under the whisk broom--nice, I know!).