Christmas Decorating~Let's Start With The Mantel

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where do you start when Christmas Decorating begins?  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I usually start by getting all of my decorations out </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and laying the boxes all over the basement floor.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lots and lots of boxes!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I always have things that I have bought the previous year after Christmas, </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">so I take a look at those items first.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then I plan my color scheme.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It has been everything from red and green to all white to every color in-between.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But the actual decorating always starts with the Mantel </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">in the Living room </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and everything else is a take-off from that. </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wanna take a peak at what I did this year?  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ptzUoRUSloMd8d22bDqCeVeqS1FAjl4p-Plm5Z8Kc22qPzWlV7FLaQWen0O93Kz2UCXDVXFwdE5GgzmD3OnkXgUFgR5LnV50cMLOXxyGg3eK0Nz3wVl69mRfXybBVbtcaD2NsyB5X8/s1600/IMG_6390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1ptzUoRUSloMd8d22bDqCeVeqS1FAjl4p-Plm5Z8Kc22qPzWlV7FLaQWen0O93Kz2UCXDVXFwdE5GgzmD3OnkXgUFgR5LnV50cMLOXxyGg3eK0Nz3wVl69mRfXybBVbtcaD2NsyB5X8/s640/IMG_6390.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Inspiration (because you always need Inspiration right? </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I would never get off of the sofa without Inspiration!) </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">this year is this set of Angel Wings from Decor Steals.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's funny because I had been looking online for Angel Wings or a tutorial on how to make them and then Presto my magic shopping fairy (c'mon you have one too!) </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">put them on Decor Steals for me.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thank You Magic Shopping Fairy!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I Love You!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux, not so much...</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-jwp0QiRWzcx8yNdopaS9tx5WO6Ty17KCTEhdUG22KQlkJOeC31XHUAhSE4vaqGx73bYmEcL-whXEAGj6rtULwLK3fOk9yY-oIVIshmtkET3SXgYtSADVaO12o73I9c07ILqQvs1cdo/s1600/IMG_6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-jwp0QiRWzcx8yNdopaS9tx5WO6Ty17KCTEhdUG22KQlkJOeC31XHUAhSE4vaqGx73bYmEcL-whXEAGj6rtULwLK3fOk9yY-oIVIshmtkET3SXgYtSADVaO12o73I9c07ILqQvs1cdo/s640/IMG_6403.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I did some tweaking to the Angel Wings </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but I am going to wait and show you that later in the post.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am much too excited to show you the finished product!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s1600/IMG_6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s640/IMG_6408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I think it's my favorite Mantel EVER!!!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm calling it Ethereal Winter.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No that's too ostentatious.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How about Winter White Fantasy?  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">OK, I'll work on the name.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZhm42msLBREoNG-TYChhKp3Hl3gOrw2mCF-J3DOqwDKAuioARmqhbnPA7eFanebrrqJIPMJfCO1F1qlpr512IfDsQ5M6UKHxZfLX0uR-D8Z2753L3g-SShCmyLcrlZ2BQzVFhYSIfc/s1600/IMG_6392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxZhm42msLBREoNG-TYChhKp3Hl3gOrw2mCF-J3DOqwDKAuioARmqhbnPA7eFanebrrqJIPMJfCO1F1qlpr512IfDsQ5M6UKHxZfLX0uR-D8Z2753L3g-SShCmyLcrlZ2BQzVFhYSIfc/s640/IMG_6392.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Snowy white light up Christmas Trees take center stage.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqypHneR0tBeugOAy2-Te9jtryrjnSOrt58VHDJHccm7OUe_iteX0U_bTHXylcEINn5E0e2FIPhcVn7MTeS5_dKGT3VhdKaz5CLaxV2k3XzqwIXEkt84mhDCZjBwTeBFju64opu01F21E/s1600/IMG_6393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqypHneR0tBeugOAy2-Te9jtryrjnSOrt58VHDJHccm7OUe_iteX0U_bTHXylcEINn5E0e2FIPhcVn7MTeS5_dKGT3VhdKaz5CLaxV2k3XzqwIXEkt84mhDCZjBwTeBFju64opu01F21E/s640/IMG_6393.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And white glittery Reindeer flank the sides of the mantel.   </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Feathery birds hang precariously </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">from the abundant real greenery.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The greens make the house smell so good!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ip5o5DkAJQ8xsgX9ej1jfV4i6ahU9dome5gkKyDkYh5u8V5xpE36qXfd0WWv0_poc0epTEbRQOot2ED0N9I1grOjFq-q9JEpYbh2TDHZR14pPGb-kur7OR-A7i5E-pX-_NNDJlr3_s/s1600/IMG_6387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6ip5o5DkAJQ8xsgX9ej1jfV4i6ahU9dome5gkKyDkYh5u8V5xpE36qXfd0WWv0_poc0epTEbRQOot2ED0N9I1grOjFq-q9JEpYbh2TDHZR14pPGb-kur7OR-A7i5E-pX-_NNDJlr3_s/s640/IMG_6387.jpg" width="620" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Peace On Earth is written on the Mirror.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I like that it's so faint and quiet.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinotuo5iTSo1-bpCPwGmxoVEpQZLGLtoktpYALFNXIw8P2L43mjuETzJTbBDAjU9fj02MqzeImipMhk5JafiWZw3xhj9lE70A-1AaPmvEUopEMDpv5wuM0TG78HMgb2sIPzUbuIkN8NTw/s1600/IMG_6398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinotuo5iTSo1-bpCPwGmxoVEpQZLGLtoktpYALFNXIw8P2L43mjuETzJTbBDAjU9fj02MqzeImipMhk5JafiWZw3xhj9lE70A-1AaPmvEUopEMDpv5wuM0TG78HMgb2sIPzUbuIkN8NTw/s640/IMG_6398.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Little touches of bling<span style="font-size: large;"> add spark<span style="font-size: large;">le,</span></span> like these vintage chandelier drops </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">that I wired to the branches.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKSe10_pey30NU6T3i5XjR0gBih0tMP5KKQwBYPe7QTOtkEVBVMAGX__LaI5KSs7z_UQGd4LnW47PvkeBNjoHPVAiRjp1HjIZXBP7nHCBMITm2QsLSZNoCy6mf9_V_cqoNuwOgyrv8m0/s1600/IMG_6399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKSe10_pey30NU6T3i5XjR0gBih0tMP5KKQwBYPe7QTOtkEVBVMAGX__LaI5KSs7z_UQGd4LnW47PvkeBNjoHPVAiRjp1HjIZXBP7nHCBMITm2QsLSZNoCy6mf9_V_cqoNuwOgyrv8m0/s640/IMG_6399.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And these snowflakes from Nell Hill's store.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IRzmC0lQ4PSaPrSmPPRLpUVhpbHIpCfPCqz_vCtGbAs45Vm3QeHwwpBFgzAdurPXP-k8p3tkwJUF1L5vfU72f8swyW99crgPuzucd9RJnPPb3RvqnO7fnDCV87VQY8ZquFhM9cIUACo/s1600/IMG_6360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IRzmC0lQ4PSaPrSmPPRLpUVhpbHIpCfPCqz_vCtGbAs45Vm3QeHwwpBFgzAdurPXP-k8p3tkwJUF1L5vfU72f8swyW99crgPuzucd9RJnPPb3RvqnO7fnDCV87VQY8ZquFhM9cIUACo/s640/IMG_6360.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is how I started.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux took a 1 X 12 and routered out the notch so it would just slide into place.  My mantel is not that deep so I wanted to extend it a few inches.  Also, I can staple gun the greens right onto this board and not have to worry about it.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUid6C7SmNLkbIuAe5FBatVPrQIHHzR0P7LIXYOvtQzXnZS2W6YMQR9Gf5IW-4PlfPWJnJK5LcsfW6Scz2bev6fc7Uc7JemI7eLUNEt8j_Zzz-UyCeCXxtK93Ob9Mlka45kcxZXNMc2xc/s1600/IMG_6363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUid6C7SmNLkbIuAe5FBatVPrQIHHzR0P7LIXYOvtQzXnZS2W6YMQR9Gf5IW-4PlfPWJnJK5LcsfW6Scz2bev6fc7Uc7JemI7eLUNEt8j_Zzz-UyCeCXxtK93Ob9Mlka45kcxZXNMc2xc/s640/IMG_6363.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See how the sides go back around the mantel.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It makes it look very finished and not like you just stuck a board up there.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux is so handy!</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wofv6yBvH86JbdLZBYkr3f0m0pgtHhHpPRmf0vCq7dWXPsQ-OHTRU0-FoBCxR8d0V6VoMM_GZ2KbnkQmHNdxtnOsh3V11lezPNivxF4fNlN9NIjEzB241GuvMD-BMR1DBLAFPqyHLMM/s1600/IMG_6370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wofv6yBvH86JbdLZBYkr3f0m0pgtHhHpPRmf0vCq7dWXPsQ-OHTRU0-FoBCxR8d0V6VoMM_GZ2KbnkQmHNdxtnOsh3V11lezPNivxF4fNlN9NIjEzB241GuvMD-BMR1DBLAFPqyHLMM/s640/IMG_6370.jpg" width="564" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I primed it and painted it white.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You don't have to nail it or anything, just set it on top and you are good to go.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCZon5zRlLnutcI0m1Lz6n5J81C2y0STo2ppcaAzeF2YbAtFMBHRWBOlBapciXK3Oj7MSBxHVWlARui4IzojVltzWeUC6Eyzd781SAlVwTCwHKAWVeAIBwcWPou_U6fLDdBzd4QHJe4/s1600/IMG_6371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuCZon5zRlLnutcI0m1Lz6n5J81C2y0STo2ppcaAzeF2YbAtFMBHRWBOlBapciXK3Oj7MSBxHVWlARui4IzojVltzWeUC6Eyzd781SAlVwTCwHKAWVeAIBwcWPou_U6fLDdBzd4QHJe4/s640/IMG_6371.jpg" width="588" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">See!  It looks like it has been here all along!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mr. Beaux made the edges fancy too.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have no idea how he did that but if you really want to know I can probably get him to do a whole post about it.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But there will be NO pretty pictures... just sayin.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KMzVGTXw0zkMGZqY9fntbtGPlieg9SLc5Ewb6y6WHvVKjfKb_6hWr2pf51-3eSs9ztVfGdvvMhK3TTwylGUxpG2O3YXv6qhYW05hS3ibFnTdN5UqZiP5uqobqdMmTZE9kpJ6VTMQJaQ/s1600/IMG_6376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KMzVGTXw0zkMGZqY9fntbtGPlieg9SLc5Ewb6y6WHvVKjfKb_6hWr2pf51-3eSs9ztVfGdvvMhK3TTwylGUxpG2O3YXv6qhYW05hS3ibFnTdN5UqZiP5uqobqdMmTZE9kpJ6VTMQJaQ/s640/IMG_6376.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I bought a bundle of green roping or garland from Costco and a few swags from Home Depot.  I cut the garland after draping it over the mantel and I stapled it down.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7pqbz1mrLf-kynuZuAMyhYtXDYQRj8OmXzMfQm3RabC3JooMTnMeBa_389_IGg4H9gF7gk6WgQHRLS28wGRAgyJLjYvBsl0N2wI3dGGxQbQIDxsB4lzHUMPTaBPb-TPhJWtGMSnvHdA/s1600/IMG_6373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7pqbz1mrLf-kynuZuAMyhYtXDYQRj8OmXzMfQm3RabC3JooMTnMeBa_389_IGg4H9gF7gk6WgQHRLS28wGRAgyJLjYvBsl0N2wI3dGGxQbQIDxsB4lzHUMPTaBPb-TPhJWtGMSnvHdA/s640/IMG_6373.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I like it really full so I took the swags that I cut apart and just poked the boughs under the garland so it hangs over the front of the mantel.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvhXZ9J8SYX6TF4FS6Z8j6_5TZOdnTuC9209fnMVkp3eI4v09_Z9ESdLXjrItF84JuVAGJ3tdMDjFP1LT5TUxV3kOnx01k_O-Oa1Y9IVlw4mdtwE0FmPtR5VBCxHYDigQ4QzKRklVT90/s1600/IMG_6379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvhXZ9J8SYX6TF4FS6Z8j6_5TZOdnTuC9209fnMVkp3eI4v09_Z9ESdLXjrItF84JuVAGJ3tdMDjFP1LT5TUxV3kOnx01k_O-Oa1Y9IVlw4mdtwE0FmPtR5VBCxHYDigQ4QzKRklVT90/s640/IMG_6379.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can add as much or as little as you like.  To keep it fresh just spray it with water a few times a day.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-7uq5Sn8-oFDqbd_YVBbPMrTPF7R9yjkXS5t-CMqW0pOqxaW2MTtg6pqQME2cZfCrrcG3se1jimsvVVNsGJV1CmKNK6ne1WaKDou7X5y2eMlBTPS_QaMXSS8yaMwCG9bYzBf3a9Hss/s1600/IMG_6367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7-7uq5Sn8-oFDqbd_YVBbPMrTPF7R9yjkXS5t-CMqW0pOqxaW2MTtg6pqQME2cZfCrrcG3se1jimsvVVNsGJV1CmKNK6ne1WaKDou7X5y2eMlBTPS_QaMXSS8yaMwCG9bYzBf3a9Hss/s640/IMG_6367.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I dry brushed the wings with ASCP Old White because I thought they had too much wood and dark showing through.  Then I used Martha Stewart's glitter and glue to enhance the tips of the wings.  I know it's hard to tell in the photos but the one on the left is all glittered up.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJ2Vlen9bp87dM44dE84hflLELXhuB7Vg1XM8xxIZqodNjMlx8PTGETXmBWzhhEK40OJEUOA2KzZSKv6wZifCSTKq7M319DFz9pTByFjJdUIOUQF1oiuRRzqzyS-2tN8qBW-KC0aCtw/s1600/IMG_6369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNJ2Vlen9bp87dM44dE84hflLELXhuB7Vg1XM8xxIZqodNjMlx8PTGETXmBWzhhEK40OJEUOA2KzZSKv6wZifCSTKq7M319DFz9pTByFjJdUIOUQF1oiuRRzqzyS-2tN8qBW-KC0aCtw/s640/IMG_6369.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I used the white glitter on the tips and edged it with the gold.  And now there is glitter from the kitchen to the Living Room.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am such a messy crafter!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRvKpPj667JJ6ka5OgsGwN92Ii2Hg-qdhyphenhyphenz2OYDnRYESDovyskXat8Zkij3aYxvG4dXujI4CCBrv9ZVmxreNJQ94cAgVgI28oNtI1fNBwV6x5pfKPDQClThhO6Jv4vfmP-WCr1htGss/s1600/IMG_6394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytRvKpPj667JJ6ka5OgsGwN92Ii2Hg-qdhyphenhyphenz2OYDnRYESDovyskXat8Zkij3aYxvG4dXujI4CCBrv9ZVmxreNJQ94cAgVgI28oNtI1fNBwV6x5pfKPDQClThhO6Jv4vfmP-WCr1htGss/s640/IMG_6394.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is a better picture of the glitterness.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZj0uzYBZwqTtCPpdDrqiRuhh680JvwB5KWUc3HVtghxXi4Sp53o8wPdXJGxUXzst9Vx70RRDoZ-hP5hDNuzrMb7gBLuKHz5zrgw22EmD6ja0m3-0Z9DBVLGhE56XRPb_tkS0LuhO6PM/s1600/IMG_6381a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZj0uzYBZwqTtCPpdDrqiRuhh680JvwB5KWUc3HVtghxXi4Sp53o8wPdXJGxUXzst9Vx70RRDoZ-hP5hDNuzrMb7gBLuKHz5zrgw22EmD6ja0m3-0Z9DBVLGhE56XRPb_tkS0LuhO6PM/s640/IMG_6381a.jpg" width="598" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I also dry brushed the mirror with Old White to lighten it up a bit.  Then I took a glitter glue pen that writes on glass<span style="font-size: large;"> a<span style="font-size: large;">nd a stenc<span style="font-size: large;">il to write the words.</span></span></span> The <span style="font-size: large;">glass <span style="font-size: large;">paint is</span></span> also from Martha.  Boy, that Martha has everything!  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaicLt7fcQrbb-Qw7CMEv41V3yjUhWpkoWpkSajcoCf0R8nnnGTd7HqTBbUX8KEdjSBNkVbEGezC4Wjj_gDvN2-8ckxSc4f0xfZ2TqfyBmIgMxl5CKfbzzJGXssMeokQ85ksPIhtB49-M/s1600/IMG_6396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaicLt7fcQrbb-Qw7CMEv41V3yjUhWpkoWpkSajcoCf0R8nnnGTd7HqTBbUX8KEdjSBNkVbEGezC4Wjj_gDvN2-8ckxSc4f0xfZ2TqfyBmIgMxl5CKfbzzJGXssMeokQ85ksPIhtB49-M/s640/IMG_6396.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I added my chair that I refinished this summer in front of the fireplace.  The colors really work with my mantel.  And don't you always need extra seating this time of year?</span></span></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s1600/IMG_6408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOnB261o9jeKkaDCFMgi6SY-pbKj6r1mkNV15TCKkOk22V2Mp0LfqNBPPiXXoYVfy46IUJk6zfK2ws2z7hhaQKk1DsxgwSqnmWCftpD__o2BQENe8OsMWeyWN8TMtnua-dneASN2IMzM/s640/IMG_6408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And there it is!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My Peace On Earth Mantel!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now to get busy on the rest of the house.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until Next Time,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Beaux R'eves,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">XO Cindy</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sharing at:</span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Susan at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"> </a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></i></span></i></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Marty at <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">A Stroll Thru Life</a> for Tabletop Tuesday</span></span></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;">  Kim at <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank">SavvySouthern Style</a> for Wow Us Wednesdays   </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"> Judy at <a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/">DIY by Design</a></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Roeshel  at <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stone Gable  <i><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/" target="_blank">Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits </a></i></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here Open House Party</a>  </b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gina at <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a> for Transformation Thursdays<br />  <a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From My Front Porch To Yours</a> for Treasure Hunt Thursday</span></span></span></span></b></i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Courtney at <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Heather and Vanessa at <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> for Inspiration Friday <br />Debra at <a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a> for Vintage Inspiration Friday</span><br />Sherry at<a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"> The Charm of Home</a> for Home Sweet Home Friday </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Jen at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/">Tatertots and Jello</a> for the Weekend Wrap-up Party </b></i> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>                                     <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Donna at <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Funky Junk Interiors</a> for Saturday Nite Special</span></span></span></i><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div></div></div>

Christmas Decorating~Let's Start With The Mantel

Where do you start when Christmas Decorating begins?   I usually start by getting all of my decorations out  and laying the boxes all over t...

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Polar Express Mantel

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christmas Decorating has begun! </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Just not in my house yet)  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was chatting with a very good friend of mine last week </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and we were discussing her mantel.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She is in a new house this Christmas and wondered </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">if I had any good decorating ideas for her.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, rising to the challenge, </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I asked her what elements she might want to incorporate etc.  She was adamant that we use her </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Train</b> stocking holders as her three boys <span style="font-size: large;">l</span>oved them!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, what boys don't love trains?  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I came up with the idea of the <b>Polar Express</b> for the theme.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlDkGNW5l6FkoI7aIr8lJDosJqZ9WyYlngc3_LJS548jcncPnc2c6dgNKRflULHoBD0uuHLnoEmAlg0XV_tIRjsKWtQ0K3rFSuuVm196wXD7TdCdnhbWGOYTD0wtjaoqmpeOSkyLIzFM/s1600/IMG_6320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlDkGNW5l6FkoI7aIr8lJDosJqZ9WyYlngc3_LJS548jcncPnc2c6dgNKRflULHoBD0uuHLnoEmAlg0XV_tIRjsKWtQ0K3rFSuuVm196wXD7TdCdnhbWGOYTD0wtjaoqmpeOSkyLIzFM/s640/IMG_6320.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She didn't want to spend a lot of money </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but she wanted a fresh and new idea.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I set out to do some shopping and see what I came up with.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I made a quick  trip to Hobby Lobby and </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">found everything I needed at half off.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0K48l5BnaMe-iyUXaq-FHeUnUxzCO_m3rMBcQ30IkejHbAoSPEY9lKneRlG7PoMHJgOMLWslbXsMdYL81cia1p_c0YSDRYW-vFz-qO7CZAy0WuZ_ZpuH51z510PAKB-UAgDPSENotmw/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0K48l5BnaMe-iyUXaq-FHeUnUxzCO_m3rMBcQ30IkejHbAoSPEY9lKneRlG7PoMHJgOMLWslbXsMdYL81cia1p_c0YSDRYW-vFz-qO7CZAy0WuZ_ZpuH51z510PAKB-UAgDPSENotmw/s640/IMG_6317.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Snowflake ornaments in various sizes, </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4E7pYQNwkRP91UNfRKVySpggIjXxyH2FeVzzIEhcn31HY2jA2TgNWOi2CVZbI6W82eBmq7p-y3XhC66PvppHRJLaSJeKtSOgWe8vyU8uO90wNM0yv9cKfldjImDSRk9NEWJmWcbItXI/s1600/IMG_6323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4E7pYQNwkRP91UNfRKVySpggIjXxyH2FeVzzIEhcn31HY2jA2TgNWOi2CVZbI6W82eBmq7p-y3XhC66PvppHRJLaSJeKtSOgWe8vyU8uO90wNM0yv9cKfldjImDSRk9NEWJmWcbItXI/s640/IMG_6323.jpg" width="584" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christmas trees wrapped in burlap,</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7VaiZLss3V07KZHoX6ID2o9rAzhAd9jhtBjyzL9T8s57HUm7QJC0UBkBNECKsuqDreb7yH1Upd7hJY1INb81FcRiB_QllmGjvKrOnRQmBMbQYppOl0-8Aw530WJKQX4_ekJ0FgqYy0U/s1600/IMG_6324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7VaiZLss3V07KZHoX6ID2o9rAzhAd9jhtBjyzL9T8s57HUm7QJC0UBkBNECKsuqDreb7yH1Upd7hJY1INb81FcRiB_QllmGjvKrOnRQmBMbQYppOl0-8Aw530WJKQX4_ekJ0FgqYy0U/s640/IMG_6324.jpg" width="456" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And some fake fluffy snow.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5OCpcTeG6tqrXs1Tvd6LzWBQmDJpgPi7tqEfCiqTOahRuVDwdcZ0LoKdavKWa0adfuby4fKG7h65HzAlVJN6i6IoHCvcT0ddd-nczVYFpMqKWp7pv5UFhL6jJzGTL667TKHW_P1ydws/s1600/IMG_6300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5OCpcTeG6tqrXs1Tvd6LzWBQmDJpgPi7tqEfCiqTOahRuVDwdcZ0LoKdavKWa0adfuby4fKG7h65HzAlVJN6i6IoHCvcT0ddd-nczVYFpMqKWp7pv5UFhL6jJzGTL667TKHW_P1ydws/s640/IMG_6300.jpg" width="596" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We stopped next door at the Goodwill (how convenient) </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and found this great 80's print for $19.99.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Of course my friend asked if they would take any less </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and they offered half off!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">$10.00 will do just fine!</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I took it home and painted it with three coats of chalkboard paint and painted the wood with Annie Sloan Old White.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDgeIbThBu4EeVPJgR3-SXgAME1T8h71ZYSot66CdTt_PlHIdxKrnU8zROmakuaIzWO2WudrUKm9IhcNGBwVzY3warLuTGLOf3Mbw-tTFuoMUXzcbTOmMdxtECXB6M8WP-3Ojw5Pa92E/s1600/IMG_6316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDgeIbThBu4EeVPJgR3-SXgAME1T8h71ZYSot66CdTt_PlHIdxKrnU8zROmakuaIzWO2WudrUKm9IhcNGBwVzY3warLuTGLOf3Mbw-tTFuoMUXzcbTOmMdxtECXB6M8WP-3Ojw5Pa92E/s640/IMG_6316.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I hung the snowflakes tied with ribbon to the </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">ceiling with small thumbtacks.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The quote is from the book <u>The Polar Express.</u>  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The book (and the movie) is a favorite of the boys!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I remember reading it to all of my kids!  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I could barely get through these last lines </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">without a catch in my voice.  </span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhIu98k9cNmF5zJ6fD-F-9CbMG-QHUVgp-gXDjDXc5BWNfevLCFcLijPzeUKTdkR9F9W64PNzFIw8QK2mO0_6GibP6AHuYHtcf7YfL5bu4L2mCR6mj4hp-h5Db4c6AKttv1PRHnYDu4s/s1600/IMG_6318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhIu98k9cNmF5zJ6fD-F-9CbMG-QHUVgp-gXDjDXc5BWNfevLCFcLijPzeUKTdkR9F9W64PNzFIw8QK2mO0_6GibP6AHuYHtcf7YfL5bu4L2mCR6mj4hp-h5Db4c6AKttv1PRHnYDu4s/s640/IMG_6318.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of their stockings hung and ready for Santa...  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Who doesn't love the magic of Christmas for a child?</span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82OfNzTe4gAR9NVLuWBFr0RLsDuII0sj0QRmXBeEGKYHnTdP3NoaIBzcVQldjJm75VR9o8fwpRHOTSaGnDRflLr-EQtfr_m9uRrW6NeLZeJDWkpSjwDa3_iv2xTix7_hvcfqA1DR7AvM/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82OfNzTe4gAR9NVLuWBFr0RLsDuII0sj0QRmXBeEGKYHnTdP3NoaIBzcVQldjJm75VR9o8fwpRHOTSaGnDRflLr-EQtfr_m9uRrW6NeLZeJDWkpSjwDa3_iv2xTix7_hvcfqA1DR7AvM/s640/IMG_6314.jpg" width="476" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A simple Christmas Mantel.  </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until Next Time,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Beaux R'eves,</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">XO Cindy</span></span></i></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sharing at: </span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Susan at<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1057618964"> </a><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Between Naps on the Porch</a></span></i></span></i></span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></i></span></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Marty at <a href="http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/">A Stroll Thru Life</a> for Tabletop Tuesday</span></span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cowgirl Link-up Party at <a href="http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cedar Hill Ranch </a></span></span></i></span><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Kim at <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/" target="_blank">SavvySouthern Style</a> for Wow Us Wednesdays  </span></span></span></i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Judy at <a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/">DIY by Design</a></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stone Gable  <i><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/" target="_blank">Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits </a></i></span></i></span></span></i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b> <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/">No Minimalist Here Open House Party</a>  </b></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Gina at <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a> for Transformation Thursdays<br />  <a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From My Front Porch To Yours</a> for Treasure Hunt Thursday</span></span></span></span></b></i><br /><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span></span></b></i><span style="color: #666666;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Poutpourri Friday at <a href="http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/">2805</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Courtney at <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">French Country Cottage</a> for Feathered Nest Friday<br />Heather and Vanessa at <a href="http://www.atthepicketfence.com/">At the Picket Fence</a> for Inspiration Friday <br />Debra at <a href="http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/">Common Ground</a> for Vintage Inspiration Friday</span><br />Sherry at<a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/"> The Charm of Home</a> for Home Sweet Home Friday </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></i></span><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Jen at <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/">Tatertots and Jello</a> for the Weekend Wrap-up Party </b></i> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>                                     <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Donna at <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/">Funky Junk Interiors</a> for Saturday Nite Special</span></span></span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span>Roeshel  at <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></span></div></div>

Polar Express Mantel

Christmas Decorating has begun!  (Just not in my house yet)   I was chatting with a very good friend of mine last week  and we were discussi...

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