Oh Deer, My Holiday Mantel 2012

Oh Deer.

There is a deer on my Mantel.

Actually there are a few deer on my Mantel.

Among other holiday touches.

I had some fun with this one.

I kept the upper shelf that I put up for my Fall Mantel

And I kept my dictionary page canvases.

I love these things, they break up all of the white I have.

My Inspiration was the deer head

The flat, unfinished wood deer silhouette from Michael's

He was on clearance for $1.49

I love these scrolly frames that they have too 

which I painted and distressed

for that pop of color.

Everything else just seemed to fall into place.

The Snowflake Banner was made just like my Patriotic Jute Banner

Glass Ornaments from Mom, White Glass from thrift stores , free greenery from Home Depot

Nutcracker from Joann's, Standing deer from Michael's

My Deer with a Glittery Red Nose

Now the 6 year old has begun singing

"Grandma got run over by a Reindeer"

Hanging out with my friends......

The Lettered Cottage - Christmas Mantel Party

My Fall Mantel with Oscar the Owl

Fall officially starts this Saturday.

Officially here its still very warm.

But I needed my New England touches.

I loved last year's Fall Mantel

But this year I wanted to do something different.

I did use a lot of the same elements.

My  Fall Wreath

My Grown Up Wee Little Pumpkins

Dictionary Page Canvases.

And of course all of my favorite materials

Burlap and Book Pages.

The biggest makeover I did was paint my Mantel shelf

I was getting tired of the black.

I used the same grey I used on my Ugly Duckling Makeover

and I even added a shelf.

I am liking my two tiered Mantel now.

Best thing is all that I purchased was the twiggy branches.

(on 75% off at JoAnn's in the damaged pile)

And Mom bought me the Owl

His name is Oscar.

And I named him....not the 6 year old.

The more I look at it the more I love it.

I can enjoy it for a few weeks 

Until the 6 year old starts on me about Halloween

So what do you think about the two shelves?

Hanging out with my Friends....

Centsational Girl - Autumn Mantel Link Party

Back to School Mantel

It's getting close to that time.

The time for school to start.

Honestly where did the summer go?

(some days it didn't go fast enough)

The 6 year old is excited about going back.

She actually complained about NOT being in school

I am serious.

The hysterical crying complaining.

She loves it that much.

So we decided to spruce the Mantel up.

This was fun to do.

I decided to do a countdown since the 6 year old can't wait to go back.

She is loving getting up in the morning and looking at the number of days left.

I found some great printables.

US Map and Star Constellation found here

ABC Flash Cards found here

Banner and Flag Tags found here

Cabinet door made into a chalkboard

(and I didn't use chalkboard paint...tutorial to come)

Background is my Dictionary Page Covered Canvases.

I used a pant hanger and washi tape to hang prints.

Stacked books and Jars filled with school supplies.

(don't you just love the smell of new Crayola crayons?)

and random other things I found in my stash.

Its a nice change from my Summer Mantel

Then of course we get to decorate for Fall after this.

Back to School always makes me think of Fall

My favorite time to decorate.

Are you ready to send them Back to School?

10 days and counting here......

Hanging out with my friends....

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
Shaken Together - Whats Shaken Link Party
Be Diiferent Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Positively Splendid - Saturday Seven Party
It's Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity

Mercy Ink Blog - Back to School Tips,Tricks, Tools Link Party

Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sunday

Craft-O-Maniac - Maniac Monday

Brassy Apple - Make it Monday

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials and Tips

Lil Luna - Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursday are Your Day

Stone Gable Blog - Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits

The CSI Project - Back to School Competition

Miss Lovie Creations - Back to School Party

Mums Make Lists - Empty Your Archive



Summer Mantel - By the Seashore

I have been working on my Summer Mantel.

Even though Summer has been here for months.

The 5 year old and I have been busy shell collecting

So I knew I wanted to incorporate them.

The inspiration.....By the Seashore.

I pulled back out my trusty dictionary pages canvases

(these make such a difference on the white walls)

I gathered lanterns and glass jars

shells and books

and added a touch for the 4th.

Lanterns from Yankee Candle (years ago)

Glass Jars - Goodwill

By the Seashore sign - made by me

Framed Starfish with tissue paper background

(starfish from Mom/background tissue paper from Target dollar bins)

Pinwheels - from Michael's

Coffee Filter Wreath - made by me

Best thing is we can just keep adding shells as we find them.

I love how simple and neutral this turned out.

Hanging out with my Friends....

Homework - Be Inspired Link Party

Home Stories A to Z - Tutorials & Tips Link Party

A Bowl Full of Lemons - One Project at a Time Link Party

Craft O Maniac - Craftomaniac Monday Link Party

Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursdays Are Your Day   

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party

Spring Mantel 2012 - Polka Dots and Cherry Blossoms

I kept it simple this time.

I wanted to change it up a bit.

I stepped out of my design box.

Well at least one foot did.

Pink seemed to dominate.

And if you know the 5 year old you would understand.

The frame behind the wreath I have had forever.

It is suppose to be a picture frame, but I have yet to use it as one.

I painted it this yummy minty green

Added the pink cherry blossom fabric behind it

Which the bunting is made from too.

And placed my Fabric Wrapped Spring Wreath on it

Painted glass jars and twig branches

Books and birdhouse

Spray painted Dollar Store tray and ceramic eggs.

It all gives a simple Springtime look.

And it is pink.

Which in my world makes the 5 year old happy.

Happy Spring !!!

Hanging out with my Friends.....

Boy time does fly..........

Boy time does fly....

All I was going to do was take a couple of weeks off

from my blog.

Then I realized my last post was February 3rd.

Today is March 20th.

Where does the time go ???

Alot has been happening around here.

I have a million projects going at once

(ok not exactly a million but, it sure feels like it)

Let's see.........

The 5 year old has been up to no good.

She had her first Daddy/Daughter Dance...

She got a new accessory....

Which she picked out all by herself

(and I swear now she looks older !!!)

And some fun and exciting news for me and my blog.....

I was chosen to be featured on BHG.com for their

2012 Easter/Spring Mantels.

My 2011 Spring "Fantel"

What an honor it has been to have my little old blog selected

 and be included with other outstanding blogs.

I am currently working on my new Spring Mantel

Trying to go a little outside my decor box.

Should be interesting right ???

Alright I think I have caught up.

Its the first day of Spring.

And its a nice 85 degees here

Yeah ummmm....Spring in Florida

Valentine's Mantel

Well I am late for the party

 I have been so busy

Busy trying to "Get my Crap Together"

I forgot to post my Valentine's Mantel.

I wanted to keep it simple this year.

And I fell in love with what Lindsey did with her jars.

I have been hoarding jars.

And new this would be perfect.

My Valentine Paint Chip Banner didn't make the cut.

It looks lovely hanging from another shelf

I have been in love with the color grey lately and wanted to use it.

A little grey, a little red, and a dash of pink.

I brought back my dictionary page covered canvases.

The little birdies made a comeback in pink.

The hearts are fabric fused together with heat and bond.

Paper doilies, baker's twine, and some sweet Silhouettes.

It really looks sweet.

Tweet, Tweet


Hanging out with my Friends.....




Lovely Crafty Home - Lovely Crafty WeekendThe Creative Paige - Creative Genius Party

Little Inspiration - Create Inspire Party
Itsy Bitsy Paper Blog - I Heart Projects Party
The Grant Life - Financial Friday Link Up

Valentine Paint Chip Pennant Banner

My poor Mantel has suffered from neglect.

After I stripped it from Christmas it sat empty.

Then things started to get piled on it.

I am serious it did.

That got rectified real quick.

Now since Valentine's Day is around the corner

And Beth  is going to have one of her Mantel Link Parties

I need to get moving.

Problem is I can't find my Valentine Decorations.

And I am not sure if the made the move or not.

So back to square one with nothing in the budget.

Thankfully my craft supplies are getting organized

As I create my New Creative Space

So we need to create new Valentine Decorations.

After looking all over Pinterest

I have some ideas.

Yeah I have a problem with collecting paint chips.

Somedays when I need to get out of the house without the 5 year old I go to Lowe's or Home Depot and raid their paint chips.

It's what I call my "Mommy Escape"

It's that or the fabric store.

The paint chips cost less.

Seriously it took my glue gun longer to heat up than do this.

Supplies needed:

Paint chips (the long skinny ones)

Scissors

Glue/Tape

Baker's Twines (string, thread, ribbon)

Heart Buttons (from JoAnn Fabrics )

Fold and Cut ends of Paint Chips

Fold over the Baker's Twine and Glue/Tape

Add Buttons and Hang up

Done !!!

Hanging out with my Friends........

Naptime Crafters Friday Favs Party

The Creative Paige - Creative Genius Party

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party

Very Merry Vintage Style - Share the Love Link Party

Toys in the Dryer - Fun Stuff Fridays

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

Vintage Gwen - Show and Share

I Heart Naptime Sundae Scoop

Itsy Bitsy Paper - I Heart Projects Party

Raising Oranges - Handmade 52

The Tattered Tag - KISS Party

Serendipity and Spice - Manic Monday

The Year of the Mantel - 2011 Review

I wanted to put together my Year in Review

Which post recieved the most views

(Well what Google says)

My Mantels seemed to dominate in 2011.

Presenting Twigs and Twirls Top 5.......

#1. Fall Mantel

#2. Halloween Mantel

#3. Simple Valentine Touches - Fantel

#4. Fall Wreath

#5. Upcycled Book Jack O'Lanterns

Overall Top Blog Post

(posted in December 2010)

Lollipop Ornament

This simple thing has gotten over 1600 views.

Can you believe it ???

I also would love to give a shout out to one of my favorite blogs.

She was the first blogs I read and fell in love with.
She truly is an inspiration.

She has become my Top Referring Site and Top URL's

Jen at Tatertots and Jello

Seriously if you haven't check out her blog
You definately need to.

I would also like to thank all of my followers.
Without you well, I would be talking to myself.
Thank you for all of your support and encoragement.

Well that is it
Twigs and Twirls Top 5
I look forward to making my blog grow in 2012
Happy New Year.

Linking up with my Friends....

Home Stories A to Z - My Favorite Post Party 2011

Snowman (Holiday) Mantel

I am excited to finally show you my mantel.

I have been dragging my feet with decorating.

Even my Mom yelled at me about it.

hehehe.

I love snowmen.

I have been collecting them for years.

I have also downsized my collection tremendously.

Moving a few times with do that to you.

So I wanted to feature them this year.

I actually FINALLY got some shutters.

Actually it was a bi-fold door that my Mom had from a project she did.

She cut it down for me.

I painted them a nice cheery red.

And it became my backdrop for.......

"In the meadow we can build a......."

SNOWMAN !!!!!

I am loving how it all came together.

All I purchased was the chipboard glitter letters at Michael's

And I made the plaid banner myself.

The letters are only stuck on so I can use it again for something else.

Garlands, ribbon and pinecones pulls it all together.

A couple of small pine trees in old mason jars.

I used epsom salt and small pinecones to hold the trees in place.

And added a tag.

Now the song is stuck in my head.

Can someone send me some snow?

Hanging out with some friends.....

Southern Hospitality - Holiday Home Mantel Party
Home Stories A to Z - Christmas Mantel Party

Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party
I Heart Naptime Sundae Scoop Party
Funky Junk Interiors Mantels and Stockings