Mantels of Christmas's Past

As we head into Thanksgiving and then right into the Christmas season, I couldn't help but to begin thinking about my holiday decor for the living room this year. So I thought it would be fun to take a look back at my mantels of Christmas's past. 

(You will also be able to see the progression of my photography over the years as well.)

2010

This was the first mantel shown on my blog which back then was called "Decorating with Barbara". LOL...real original right? Anyhow I only have the two pictures but as you can see Santa was definitely the inspiration for this display!

2011

The next year's mantelscape is much more simple and has a bit of a colonial feel to it with all the silver pieces, pine cones, pears and greens. 

2012

The 2012 mantel was done with a live spray of greens in the center which was adorned with sticks collected from the yard and sprayed white. Some faux mums and berries were added for more color along with a little "bling" in the way of silver candle holders.

2013

Last year's matelscape displays a more earthy or woodsy interpretation of Christmas. I had bought the little wood cabins from TJ Maxx the year before and used them to create a woodland village.

This year's mantel will again take on a completely different vibe because I have revamped the entire living room switching up the colors and feel of the space. I know I have yet to reveal it to you, but let me just say that it has totally taken me by surprise.

In the meantime I would like to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very happy and turkey filled day tomorrow. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I just want you all to know how thankful I am for your continued readership!

May God bless you all and from us here at 21 Rosemary Lane we'd like to wish you and yours a very 

Happy Thanksgiving!

XO

Spring Mantelscape for 2014

Well it is here...finally...the very first day of SPRING! And it is gorgeous outside here in the northeast. A little March wind but otherwise an absolutely perfect day!. And the perfect day it was to create my Spring Mantelscape!

The picture in the pretty little frame is of my mother and father. They wed in September of 1956 and are still together today. And some said it wouldn't last! 

The small vase is faux mercury glass I created using Krylon's Looking Glass spray paint. To see the tutorial just click here.

Sometimes I never know where I am going to end up when I start a project like putting together a mantel vignette. I pull a bunch of items together from around the house and group them according to color, size and materials they are made from. This year for some reason I am completely in love with white tulips, so the tulips became my jumping off point.

I decided to add a little burlap for a different type of texture and to frame out the large platter.

I adore the crisp fresh look of white and green together whether it is for Christmas or Spring. But as you already know I am a GREEN Gal!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful first day of Spring!

XO

Sharing this post at link parties over at these terrific blogs...

FRENCHCOUNTRYCOTTAGE

Common Ground

From My Front Porch to Yours

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Coastal Charm

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My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

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Cozy Little House

Savvy Southern Style

Ivy and Elephants

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

One More Time Events

It's Overflowing

St. Valentine's Day Mantel

This year I decided to create a St. Valentine's Day mantelscape...BUT...I didn't want to spend any money or have it look too contrived. So I went around the house collecting anything I could find in red, white and silver. 

Then last night while I was over partying at the blog Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, one of Jann's features was this beautiful Valentine mantel from a blog called Thought's from Alice.  Well this creative gal Alice went ahead and incorporated stacks of books into her mantelscape and I thought it was a fabulous idea as a way to add loads of texture to mine. Plus we have tons of books because Mr. RL is a real to life bookworm!!!

So I stacked them at varying heights. I also turned a few vertical for more interest.

I did want to incorporate my freshly made spaghetti sauce heart candle jars (try saying that three times fast!) into the vignette. To see how I made these cute little candle jars just click here.

The darling sweetheart garland is just draped over the entire vignette. I created it a couple of years ago with my daughter Gracie. It is super easy and fast to make...all you need is jute twine and some colored paper plus glue, stapler, scissors and a hole puncher and BAMO!!! You've got  sweetheart garland!!!

  For the tutorial click here.

My burlap wreath I threw together using different color burlap, basically because I didn't have enough of any one color to cover the entire wire frame. It adds a touch of whimsy don't you think?

The mercury  glass vases are actually fakes...I made them last summer with old glass vases, you know the kind you get flowers in from the florist, and a can of Krylon's Looking Glass spray paint. To read up on how to get this, I think pretty authentic mercury glass look, just follow the link here.

And that is my St. Valentine's Day Mantel for this year!

 I was really happy to take my pictures with the bright white light streaming in from the outside winter wonderland. We had another inch of snow on top of the foot we got last week. It looks like it is going to be cold one for this year's Super Bowl!

Are you ready for that special someone on sweethearts day in just two weeks???

Wishing you all a great day!!! 

XO

Sharing this post at link parties over at these wonderful blogs...

Style Sisters

Common Ground

FRENCHCOUNTRYCOTTAGE

The Thrifty Groove

Nancherrow

I'm Not a Trophy Wife

The Flying C

Coastal Charm

Elizabeth & Co.

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2013 Christmas Mantel

As many of us bloggers do, every year I try to switch up our Christmas mantel. (God forbid I have the same mantelscape 2 years in a row!) So out came a few of my old special addition holiday magazines...I can't bare to toss them out...just to peruse once more through some of their beautifully decorated rooms. This year I found myself drawn to more earthy or woodsy Christmas images and thus was born our 2013 Christmas mantel.

How is your holiday decorating going?

XO 

Sharing this post over at these wonderful blog link parties...

No Minimalist Here

From My Front Porch to Yours

Common Ground

FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE

Cedar Hill Ranch

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Elizabeth & Co