Christmas Mantel.Happy Snowmen.Santa's Socks.Green Gate.Artichoke Garland

This year, I wanted to do something a little different on my mantel and I tried two ideas before this one. I have tried a mirror on the mantel, but it only reflects our ugly ceiling fan so I opted to use this green iron gate to pull the eye upward as this is a very tall fireplace. I love my snowmen, and old stuff that that I have collected and repurposed.

(please click picture to enlarge)

Hope you can relax and enjoy the pictures. 

The mantel has tiny white light covered with a pip berry garland and fresh greens. I strung lights around the top of the gate to show the shape. The vintage tree-top star in the spiral natural wreath also helps to add light. The garland begins with a cluster of large rusty bells and small brown bells strung on a wire.

I added the five dry artichoke ornaments that I made last year that are embellished with feathers, greens, red beads and prisms to catch the light.

Happy Vintage Snowmen make me smile. The one on the right is styrofoam and standing on the other side of the birdhouse church is paper mache and pretty time-worn

but he is really special.

He is an advertisement for Kentucky Tavern and originally held a cardboard broom with an advertisement on it.

This little guy is very happy that he found the perfect Christmas tree that he dug up with his shovel and hauled home in his little red wagon.

 This wooden star wrapped with rusty bells, adds more of the happy red color. 

And oh, how I love the old paper mache Santa's socks. I hate to admit that I passed up the mittens and cap ...
Duh, only $2.5o each piece. How could I do that?

More natural elements.

Lantern was a recent 'junkin' find. See the before below. It is a small porch light. I removed the wall plate, rewired it, wire brushed it with a small brass brush, oil waxed and made it free standing. It has amber glass, but reflecting the red which I love.

Lantern before. (not pretty)

 
Oh sorry ... I forgot to mention the shabby 25 numbers.
See the shabby numbers behind the gate?
I cut these from a weathered piece of sign board. I had the pattern for the 5 ... turned it over and used it to draw the 2 ... some freehand drawn, but they match pretty well.

This is an important day that we all need to remember the 'reason for the season'  is to celebrate the birth of
Christ our Savior.   
(below is a better view of the numbers)

Christmas Blessings to everyone.

Hope you enjoyed viewing my Christmas mantel.


Linking to:
Funky Junk Interiors Christmas Mantels 

Linking to:  2805 Potpourri Friday

Linking to: At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Linking to: French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

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