Valentine’s Day Mantle

I had some trouble with the lights on my mantle.  Half of the strand burned out, so it was time to make a change.  Because Valentine’s day is right around the corner I decided to make a v-day mantle.

Let me just say beforehand that I have a hard time with pictures in my living room.  The lighting is not the best, so some of these pictures don’t look that great.

Well, it’s much simpler now.  I still had thick greens and now it just looks light and bright.  My husband even commented on how fresh it looked.   I must say it’s always nice to make a change.

I don’t have a full picture of my Christmas mantle, but you get the idea.  It went from that.

To this.

Linking up at Imparting Grace.

Antique Oil Lamp

Hey, Happy Monday to you.

I wanted to show you one of my favorite antique pieces. 

I just love this lamp.  I spotted it at my favorite local primitive shop a while back and had to have it.  It’s now become one of those things that I wish I had more than one of.  I find myself thinking I could use one in just about every room.

How bout you?  Do you have a favorite antique?

A touch of spring!

I wanted to share with you some pictures of this little stich I recently picked up.  I shared in my last post about the doldrums of winter.  Well, when I saw this it was just right.  It adds a little touch of spring to the winter.  I love the colors the crafter chose for this stich.  Oh, and the quote, how perfect is that.  My only exception would be that instead of life giving many reasons to smile, I would have to say God gives many reasons to smile.   Wouldn’t you agree?

Here it is with my absolute favorite piece.  An old window turned shadow box.  It’s a substantial size and hangs in my kitchen.  I have a large wall that was blank and don’t currently have a hutch, so this is working in the space.

I love how it turned out.  It’s just the perfect touch.  **  Yes, I still have candy canes out.  Truth is, they have been there since last Christmas (2011).  I’m not lazy in taking them down, I actually like them there, so that is where they stay.  You can certainly mix Christmas with spring.  Right?  **

So what are you doing to bring a touch of spring to your home?

Welcome!!

Hi, and welcome to my new blog. I’m so excited to be blogging and after so much trouble with blospot, I decided to switch to wordpress. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to like it, but so far it hasn’t given me trouble. I hope you’ll be patient with me as I figure out how to use it and put the whole blog together. Ugh. Enough about that. Let’s move on.

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It’s a new year. The Christmas stuff is taken down, so the house is dull. It’s dark and damp and cold outside. You’ve got the January blues. Am I right? Well, that may not be true for you, but it’s certainly true for me. I tell ya, I don’t think the sun has come out since the start of the new year. It starts to weigh on me after awhile. Since not much can be done about the weather, I thought I would add a little spice to your day by sharing some of the winter going on around my home.

These snowmen were made for me by my grandmother way back when. I know it’s hard to see, but she personalized it for us, putting our names on the wooden sign the little guy is holding. Also, the tall one in the center lights up. Very pretty, but hard to get a good photo.

I absolutely love the glass block turned decorative light that was given to me several years ago. It was handmade by a friend and every year I love to get it out. I think she did a beautiful job on it.

Believe it or not but this snowman was actually part of an old post. It was handpainted and given to me as a gift. Boy, my friends and family must know me very well. I think he is so stinkin cute. He sits on the window sill by my kitchen sink, smiling at me while I wash dishes.

 

This is one of my favorite vignettes.  I love the snowflake.  It was dipped in a sheer glitter, so there is a sparkle to it.  I also purchased a few of the little “sprig” trees and have sprinkled them around.  I wish I would have purchased more.  I could have put them all over.

 

This is just a metal tray I filled with some potpourri and a loaf candle.  It’s nestled in the corner  on our end table.  They make me smile.

 

I’m sure you figured out that I like snowmen.  First of all, they are so cute and the sky is the limit on how you create them and use them around the house.  Also, I like them because they can hang out all throughout the winter and not be put away with the Christmas decorations.  It’s a win win.  🙂

This is just a plush snowman I paired with a vintage-looking towel.  Since this chair is seldom used, it’s not a problem to have him hanging out there.  Plus, he’s so soft.  Looks like a marshmallow doesn’t he?

Lastly I thought I’d show you my mantle.  I know I said I took down all of the Christmas decorations, but the truth is I did, except for my mantle.  My husband really liked the way it looked and since I used birds I didn’t think it screamed Christmas.  Although I must admit that I will be changing it out  sooner rather than later.

 

Maybe upon looking at it now I do think it’s a little Christmasey.  But hey, what’s wrong with that?  If it works why change it right?

Well, I hope that brought a little spice to your day.  So, have you already taken down your Christmas decorations?  What do you use in the winter to warm up your home?