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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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December 6, 2011

Heather’s Mantel~ Christmas Blogger Block Party 2011

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How exciting! The Christmas Blogger Block Party is underway and we hope you all are enjoying sharing your fabulous holiday décor and projects as much as we are! We’ve had so much fun seeing everyone’s Holiday Copycat Challenges over at Debbie’s and today we are thrilled to be linking our mantels over at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.  
I will be sharing mine this morning and Vanessa will be sharing her TWO mantels this afternoon! Two posts in one day..whew!
I had so much fun decorating my mantel this year.  I wanted to go in a completely different direction from last year, using a soothing and crisp color palette.  I settled on white and green with touches of silver and gold!
I am so pleased with how it all came together.
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My brick fireplace and oak mantel have always been a challenge for me.  Ideally I would have painted it white, but with all of the other projects going on around here it just wasn’t in the cards before Christmas.  I did repaint my fireplace screen a creamy white and feel it really brightened up the brick.
I took an old black frame I had and painted it silver and layered it behind my gold mirror.
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I made faux metal letters to spell JOY and hung them over the mirror with tiny silver tinsel.  I reused some garland I had that is very realistic and strung white lights through it. 
One of the few purchases I made this season were white vases from Ikea.  I love Ikea because they are so inexpensive and I knew they would have lots of crisp white simple pieces for my green and white theme.  
Vanessa also found these gorgeous white stockings with silver beaded snowflakes for me, I was so excited to have new stockings!
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On one side I placed a tall white vase with one sprig of faux evergreen.  I piled a galvanized bucket with green ornaments I already owned.  I recycled a green wine bottle, wrapping it in layers of white and green ribbon and placing a tall white taper in it.  
I filled a pretty lacy white flowerpot with some green berries from the Dollar Tree and I glued two glittered stars from the Dollar Tree back to back and tucked it into the corner.
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On the other side I placed a small little green potted topiary in another little footed white flowerpot from Ikea and added an additional wine bottle to mirror to add symmetry with the other side. 
 I took an old copper rusted lantern and painted it white.  I filled it with green mirrored and glittered ornaments.  I found this pretty little live Christmas tree at Big Lots and I love the addition of some real greenery to the mantel.
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I think in spite of the brick I was able to create a light bright and crisp mantel this year!
So are you ready to share your mantels at the Christmas Blogger Block Party? Head on over to Kristin’s to link your mantel up! Be sure to head back over here this afternoon to see Vanessa’s mantels and join us tomorrow for the Porches and Doors party here At The Picket Fence and at Judy’s at DIY By Design for the Banister party!
We also wanted to remind you that each party will be having FABULOUS giveaways sponsored by some of the most amazing online stores and websites!
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We can’t wait to share the AMAZING giveaways…yes we said GIVEAWAYS (PLURAL!!) that we will be having at both parties here At The Picket Fence! 
Are you enjoying the Christmas Blogger Block Party? We sure hope so! We appreciate all of your participation and we look forward to partying with you all week! See you back here soon…At The Picket Fence!
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This post is partying at:



From My Front Porch To Yours: 2011 Holiday Mantel Party
Home Stories A to Z: Christmas Mantel Link Party
Funky Junk Interiors: SNS Mantels and Stockings Party

46 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays

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Previous Post: « Citrus and Evergreen~A Christmas Copycat
Next Post: Two Mantels…One Meaning~ Vanessa’s Turn! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    I LOVE it Heather! I love all the white and green together, and JOY looks perfect on your mirror!! Martina

    Reply
  2. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Looks beautiful! I love the green bottles too! Have a great day, I am still bopping around the holiday copy cat challenge party…WOW, what fun!

    Reply
  3. Pattie says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Heather, I love it… The color green you picked is perfect….Happy Holiday from me to you !

    Reply
  4. CAS says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    It’s beautiful, Heather! I love those shades of green, & mixed with with, gold & silver…..yummy!
    CAS

    Reply
  5. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Heather, your mantel looks great! I love that green!! It looks really fresh against the white and silver. Very pretty!

    Reply
  6. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Beautiful, Heather! I love your green and white combo and think you did a great job of keeping it light. Love the different containers you used and how you set everything up.

    Reply
  7. Gail says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Heather, your mantel looks beautiful and you definitely achieved the look you were going for. I love it!

    Reply
  8. Vicki @ CurlyWillow says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Beautiful Mantel Heather! I went super simple this year too! And just got it done last night. Can’t wait to see Vanessa’s post this afternoon. Have a great, great day!

    Reply
  9. Maria Elena says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Oh, Heather, it is gorgeous! Green is my all time favorite color so I am just loving your mantle! Great inspiration!

    Reply
  10. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Your mantel looks beautiful, Heather! The green and white look fabulous together! Has a French Bistro look to it.

    Reply
  11. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    It all looks beautiful! I love the fire screen!

    Reply
  12. The Yellow Cape Cod says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    This is my favorite mantel project of 2011. Absolutely gorgeous.

    Reply
  13. Gina says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    I love it! The green & white are just perfect.

    Reply
  14. Shelia says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Oh, my goodness, Heather! Your mantel is so beautiful, shiny and bright! I love your fireplace screen too! JOY to you! 🙂
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  15. Sarah says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Very pretty-I especially like the balls in the lantern.

    Reply
  16. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 6, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    This is so pretty! I love the use of green and white. It really lightened up your brick! I love Ikea too. They have the best prices and lots of white accessories. Your mantel is so chic!

    Reply
  17. Bethany @ 3SonsPlus1...and... says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Very pretty and festive! Love the colors you chose!

    Reply
  18. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    Just really beautiful…love it all…so fresh…the green is lovely.

    I have a question for you…on your fireplace screen…did you paint it and if so, what kind of paint did you use? There is one at the antique store that I have walked by, stopped and considered at least 100 times and it is black…I love your white one and I think white would look great in my family room too.

    Thank you to you and Vanessa for sharing and for hosting this very fun Christmas Block Party!

    Kristine

    Reply
  19. Cottage and Broome says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Love the mantel so beautiful, the colors are great. I’m your newest follower, please stop by when you get a chance. Laura Cottage and Broome

    Reply
  20. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Your mantel is so pretty! I love the pops of green, so festive! The party is going so great!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  21. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    December 6, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    What a great color combination Heather. I love the fresh look.

    Reply
  22. michelle says

    December 6, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    It looks so beautiful! I love the greens mixed with the silver and gold, very pretty.
    xoxo

    Reply
  23. FABBY'S LIVING says

    December 6, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Beautiful Heather and I love the color combination, with the glittery type. I love your JOY in the mirror, so very pretty. Hugs, FABBY

    Reply
  24. Ruby Jean says

    December 6, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Oh I LOVE the contrast between the White and Apple Green.. Your Fireplace Gate is Gorgeous…

    Reply
  25. Coley says

    December 6, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    What a gorgeous mantel! The colors and textures are gorgeous together!

    Reply
  26. Calypso In The Country says

    December 6, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    That is an absolutely beautiful mantel! I love the green and white.
    -Shelley

    Reply
  27. Shannon@FoxHollowCottage says

    December 6, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    The mantle looks gorgeous. The lime it so vibrant & it has just the right sparkle. My mantle is a pain in the booty too but I didn’t notice anything but how fresh and pretty it looked all dressed up for the holiday!! Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  28. Junebug says

    December 6, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    I love the JOY hanging in front of the mirror. I sure hope you don’t mind but I’m stilling the idea for my mirror, that is if I ever get to decorate for Christmas. Your entire mantel is so pretty.

    Reply
  29. NanaDiana says

    December 6, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Heather- What a joyful mantle! I love how fresh and crisp and lovely everything looks! You did a marvelous job. xo Diana

    Reply
  30. Jen @ Creating with the J's says

    December 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Beautiful! I have looked at it a couple times now and still can’t decide what my favorite part is.

    Reply
  31. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    December 6, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    Loving all the green and white.

    Reply
  32. Tammy@Beatrice Banks says

    December 6, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    The white and green is just as pretty and crisp as can be! Love it!

    Reply
  33. Christie says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Heather, your mantel looks AWESOME! The colors are great and festive and I love the ‘JOY’ hanging in front of the mirror! The Blog party is so much fun! Thanks for hosting it! Christie

    Reply
  34. Cindy says

    December 6, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    My brick fireplace is a challenge for me too Heather! White, green, silver and gold…oh so pretty!!! Love the JOY hanging on the mirror!

    Reply
  35. debbie refresh restyle says

    December 6, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Love the layered frame/mirror! Your colors are so beautiful, love the green with the white! You really know how to dress a mantel! Everything looks wonderful!
    Debbie

    Reply
  36. Brandi says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Heather, your mantle is gorgeous! I absolutely love every single detail! The green and white together is soooooo pretty!
    Could you please come help me decorate my home next?! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Chari at Happy To Design says

    December 6, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Hi Heather…

    I’m just coming over from Pamela’s mantel party! Ohhh my…I love your color choice…the bright white and bright green is sooo pretty and cheerful! You did a beautiful job, my friend! Thank you so much for sharing your Christmas with us today!

    Warmest Christmas Wishes,
    Chari

    Reply
  38. Debbie says

    December 6, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Yes you did! I absolutely love it. I wanted to put those very colors in my house more this year, and every time I turned around, I was sticking up red instead.(That’s because I’m so stinking cheap and have a lot of red in good shape.) There’s hope though! I think that gorgeous mantel could lead you right on through the new year, and I intend to try to copy cat it then.

    Reply
  39. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    December 7, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    Beautiful, Heather! The white and lime green are really pretty together.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  40. Kelly says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    You and your sister have done such a great job on your mantels. I like how you spelled out JOY and then added so many pretty things around it. Love your simple colorscheme too.

    Reply
  41. Judy Bigg says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Love your green and white together, I used it too on my mantel. Very unique.

    Reply
  42. Sophia's says

    December 7, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Love your mantel! Gorgeous pictures too. I love the colors… so crisp and clean.

    Kristen

    Reply
  43. jessica says

    December 7, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Love the look!

    Reply
  44. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Heather your mantle is lovely! Looooove the green and the bottles as candleholders are so fun!

    Reply
  45. Maggie @ Black and White {Side by Side} says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    One of my favorites!!! Linked back to you in a little post on my blog 🙂 https://sidebysideblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-mantel-ideas.html

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
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