Christmas Mantel LOVE!

Mantel, the facing of stone, etc, about a fireplace, including a projecting shelf, this shelf also Man’tel-piece

I have had a heck of a time spelling the word "mantel"correct. I had never given it much thought, going from not having any fireplaces, to a home with 4...now it is something I probably need to know. So, I decided to look it up! I mostly spelled it "Mantle" Here is the meaning for that spelling:

Today I am joining the Southern Hospitality Blog for her Holiday Home Link Up Party, Merry Mantels edition.

I am absolutely in LOVE with the mantel in our great room! This mantel was a labor of love. When renovating our new home this past winter of 2011, I knew that I wanted a reclaimed piece of wood for our mantel. We went to several fireplace stores surrounding us, and turned up nothing. So I turned to the internet and found Elmwood Reclaimed Lumber. I called them, and through a series of back and forth emails and calls, we decided on just the right one. Who knew you could choose the depth, thickness, length, just how holey, smooth, or the beat up look. So many choices! They were able to email me pictures right from their warehouse of different pieces they had, once decided they cut to size and shipped it out to us in just a few days! The whole process was ridiculously easy and the end result quite satisfying! We chose a 3" x 10", 7 foot rough sawn piece.

I considered cleaning before taking my photos, and then decided this is real life. Besides fires, our hearth and tile area in front of our fireplace are great for building creations with blocks by our 3 year old! The firewood holder is from Crate & Barrel.

These stocking were a wedding present to us back in 2004. I have just ordered stockings for both River & Harrison to complete our collection. They are from Land's End and they even do free monogramming!

As you can see I am still in love with turquoise & hot pink! It is only natural that these colors are the center of my Christmas decor this year. The frames are vintage ones that I picked up from a flea market in Minnesota this summer. I did not add hooks to the frames like I have seen around..I simply taped them to the back. No commitment. When the season is over I can take the ornaments off and layer my frames again on my mantel for a whole different look.

The vases have ribon hot glued around, then 2 snowflakes layered with a glass bead to top it off. They are filled with Kosher salt to look like snow and a candle.

The blue glass I have collected over the years from flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores! I love my blue glass!

All of the ornaments in the frames were purchased from Hobby Lobby. I love the peacock in the middle!The string used to attache is yarn.

Everything has sparkle. When you turn on the fireplace lighting they are just gorgeous! Especially once all the other lights are off and just the Christmas tree and the mantel are lit.

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Christmas mantel! Here's to hoping you get to enjoy warm cuddling and hot cocoa on these magical winter days ahead!

Now...if you will excuse me, I have 3 other mantels to decorate!

Also, don't forget...my mother & I have been working hard creating aprons! Stop by our website to purchase an original J&J Inspirations apron! We do custom orders and can create anything, there is still time to order for Christmas presents!



Mantle, 1 a loose, sleeveless cloak: sometimes used figuratively to connote authority 2 anything that envelops or conceals 3 a small hood which when placed over a flame gives off incandescent light, to cover as with a mantle, to blush

I never knew that there were to different versions of this word, with 2 very different definitions. The funny thing is...at my churches annual fall conference this past September, the whole theme was around "The Mantle". I was so confused for those 4 days. Now, alas...I understand and will not make the mistake again!