Are you Mantel-ed Out yet? I hope not because I am so excited to be following up Heather’s GORGEOUS Christmas Mantel by sharing with you my own creations!
Hang in there with us this week, we know we are throwing a lot at you but we sure do appreciate you all of you coming by to visit us and the fun we are having seeing your beautiful decor.
So, grab some eggnog and a cookie as I bring to you my two mantels all decked out!
Ahhh…Christmas Mantels. They can be so fun and yet so fear-inducing at the same time. Anyone else out there with me on that one? That long expanse of open space can offer so much promise and yet so much dread all at once!
It was just so fun this year to dream of how I was going to decorate both my Living Room and Family Room mantels for Christmas.
Turning that dream into a reality was another matter entirely! After several attempts and 2 events involving garland crashing to the ground (each mantel!), I think I finally got it just right.
First up is my NOEL Mantel in my Living Room.
I had seen some Moss Letters in a catalog but no-way, no-how was I going to pay the price they were asking…like over $20 a letter!
So, I purchased these cardboard letters from JoAnn’s and got started.
Now, let me just say this. Moss is expensive! Especially when you buy it on a roll. So, in order to save money, I bought a little at a time and always used my 40-50% off coupons so it cut the cost by quite a bit. This is so easy! Just simply cut off the length/width you need and using a hot glue gun, add it to your letters. Be sure you don’t miss the insides but don’t worry about the back…no one will see it if you use it on a mantel or shelf!
I think they look so perfect with my botanical paintings in the background and
the entire mantel has a
garden-y (that is a technical term by the way) feel to it!
the entire mantel has a
garden-y (that is a technical term by the way) feel to it!
The entire mantel was draped with a sage green burlap for texture and to break up the expanse of dark wood. Then I added my tall Mercury Glass candlesticks for some sparkle
topped with a glittery pinecone candles.
topped with a glittery pinecone candles.
I also tucked in some other votive candles I had on hand and used the white mirrored candleholders as little pots to hold my “faux” Paper Whites.
I had purchased 2 pots of silk Narcissus (aka Paper Whites) on Ebay for only $15 and then broke them apart to use in different places around the house.
They add the softness I was looking for and I don’t have to water them!
They add the softness I was looking for and I don’t have to water them!
In French, “Noel” means “Christmas”.
In Latin, “Noel” means “Birth”.
Either way, it all means the same thing to me and I will share more about that below!
Let’s move on into the Family Room now, shall we, and take a look at our Advent Mantel.
Every year I ponder how to incorporate our Advent into my Christmas Décor. Growing up we always had a traditional Advent “Wreath”, but I think it is fun to put new twists on tradition.
Advent means “expectant waiting”. And in our home we wait expectantly for Christmas Day, not only to revel in the stuffed stockings and the gifts under the tree, but to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by lighting a candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas. In recent years, our oldest son has been the one to show off his reading skills by beginning in the book of Luke, chapter 2 and reading to us the story of the first Christmas one section at a time each week.
To create our Advent Candles, I brought in some pots which are normally found outside on our patio table but worked perfectly for this. I took each candle and coated the bottom with “Stick-Um” before placing them down inside the pot.
Each little pot was then wrapped in greenery with some red berries tucked in and then nestled into some gauzy fabric I found in my remnant bin.
I placed these tall buckets on either end for height and love the punch of color they add. They were a new purchase this year from Tuesday Morning but everything else I used to decorate this mantel were all things I repurposed from previous years.
In my determination not to buy something new, I went hunting for just the right thing to put inside the buckets. As I began pulling my Christmas bins out of the attic, I stumbled (literally!) across these dusty old ivy topiary trees which had been stored up there for probably a good 2 years. I felt like I had struck gold!
I simply stripped them of the dusty ivy which left me with the grapevine form. Next, I wrapped them in this simple berry garland which filled it in nicely and yet still left it with an airy quality.
Super quick…super cheap…and super easy!
I seriously love this ribbon and bought every spool of it I could find at JoAnn’s! For 50% off of course!
It is sweet and simple and fits so perfectly with this theme. I ended up using it on our “family” Christmas tree too but you will have to wait a bit longer to see that one!
It is sweet and simple and fits so perfectly with this theme. I ended up using it on our “family” Christmas tree too but you will have to wait a bit longer to see that one!
So, there you have it. Two Mantels, one meaning…both anticipating a most miraculous event.
All righty, that is enough Mantel Overload for one day, don’t you think?
Be sure to come back tomorrow as the we keep rolling on down the Block!
I will meet you here in the morning all hopped up on caffeine bright-eyed and bushy tailed and ready to show you my Front Porch dressed for Christmas!
And, even better, I will be eagerly anticipating seeing all of your
Doors and Porches
You will not want to miss out on all of the fantastic inspiration as well as the incredible
GIVEAWAYS!
So, be sure to rest up and get ready for this party to roll on!
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,
Vanessa, your mantels are so beautiful! and I’m going to copy you…I have the letters NOEL waiting to be transformed too! Love your style.
Debbie
Vanessa, what beautiful mantels. So much eye-candy! Love your NOEL letters! Very pretty! All of the botanicals are such a fresh take on Christmas. I love it!
Okay this is NOT a Party for the Faint of Heart… There is some SERIOUS hopping going on… I am going to need a nice BIG cup of Hot Coco with LOTS and LOTS of Whipped Cream… Your Mantel looks LOVELY… I love how you have been using lots of Follage (did I spell that right) in your decorating…
Beautiful! I love the Noel letters! What a great idea! They are both stunning!
Beautiful! Picture perfect Holiday post card! Can’t wait for the next round of partays!
LOVE the moss covered letters! Btw, my daughters name is Vanessa.
Kelly
I just leaned forward and exclaimed “I LOVE IT” right out loud. Yep. I did. I really love both of them, but that advent mantel is fantastic. I don’t know why I never, ever thought to do that.
But I better not copy you again this season. I am already copying that thing with the oranges and apples/limes and cranberries.
Now, to look at the other mantel.
I am totally enthralled with your take on the advent wreath. I totally love it!!
Both of your mantels are just beautiful! The NOEL mantel is not like anything I have seen at all. It is so pretty and girl you are crafty! And the second mantel is really great too. The meaning behind it is wonderful. I love that you included that in your decor…because we certainly should remember the true reason for this season. Gorgeous, Gorgous!!! You did a fabulous job. Kristine
Oh Vanessa I LOVE them both!! Love the moss covered NOEL on your living room mantel, BTW I love those pretty sconces in there too:) Your family room mantel is my favorite with the berry twig trees and the advent candles, LOVE IT!! A BIG thanks to you girls for throwing this fun party! Martina
Two wonderful looks. I love the mantel of red and white but my favorite item is the mossy NOEL. Beautiful job!
Both your mantels are beautiful Vanessa! I love the moss NOEL.
Gorgeous!! I adore your cranberry trees 🙂
Wow, Vanessa, they are both gorgeous! The pictures over your living room mantel work so well with this display, plus I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one that leaves existing pictures up. : ) Love the moss covered NOEL. I wonder if you paint the letters green if that would help ~ at least for the back remaining uncovered. Love how you did your pots on your Advent mantel. How great that you were able to use what you already had.
I love your beautiful Christmas mantels! The Noel letters are so pretty!
Hi Vanessa, Both mantels are so pretty! I love the moss covered letters and the berry trees. Beautiful job!
Hugs,
Sherry
VANESSA (yes, I’m screaming) … you outDID yourself, girlfriend! Both of your mantels are incredible! The floral mantel is totally genious … the moss letters beyond creative, and the way you tied it all in with your botanical prints above deserves an A++++ !! Your Advent mantel is truly one of a kind and so special. I love that you created the fabulous topiaries out of something you already hand on hand … the vases are beautiful, too! You should be giving yourself big ol’ pats on the back … you rocked it!
I love that idea of putting moss on those letters! Very clever! You’ve got two really interesting and pretty mantels to share. They’re all garden inspired too (which I love).
I really like both of your mantels. I appreciate that you did the advent candles for each of the four weeks. That is such a great idea.
Vanessa- You outdid yourself! I love both mantles. NOEL is my daughter’s last name so I might try to copy that for her next year.
And I absolutely adore the second mantle. I love the whole thing..you did a perfect job! xo Diana
So pretty Vanessa and I love Heathers too! You two gals would make perfect neighbors!;) Attempted pics of our outside today. Cloudy and not so good so I will have to try again tomorrow after work.
They are both BEAUTIFUL! Love your Noel & mercury glass with pinecones…nice touch!!!
Your mantels are just beautiful. I love how you created the NOEL letters. Gorgeous. I love that you have two mantels. Lucky.
Oh gorgeous Vanessa!
Love, love, love it so!!
Deborah xoxo
Vanessa, what beautiful mantles! I love the Noel letters! Just gorgeous!
Both are so beautiful and gives me some great ideas to change up my mantel and give it a little extra pizzazz!
WOW.
I am so glad I am late to all the parties (not really, but this has been a busy season!) so I could glean tons of ideas from YOU!
My mantel has seen no Christmas-y decor yet.
My poor front door? On it hangs a live greenery swag I got at Trader Joe’s last week for $5.99 (It’s lovely).
So, when I do get cranked up (Sunday) watch out!
The tinsel will be a-flying!
So blessed to know you and thank you for sharing your happy home!
Love, me
Great ideas! I especially love the moss Noel. Thanks for sharing.
Jan
LOVE your mantels, Vanessa! They both look beautiful, and they’re both full of meaning. Christmas is all about a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring miracle–what a reason to celebrate!
Thanks so much for linking to my Home for the Holy Days party. You are always so kind and encouraging, and I appreciate you greatly. Happy, happy Christmas!
what beautiful mantels. So much eye-candy! Love your NOEL letters!