No More Mantle Angst

I think I mentioned last year how much anxiety decorating the mantle for the holidays gives me. I’m talking full blown panic attack here. And every year, no matter what I do, I am never satisfied with what I’ve done. But do you know what? I think I finally figured it out this year. This is the first year I actually love what I’ve done, and in the process of decorating the mantle, I bought all new garland for the entry foyer stairs and balcony.

Here’s the mantle before the stockings were hung. I fell in love with a ribbon garland I showed you guys last year, and was dead set on duplicating it in my own home this year. I have to admit, it is really beautiful in person. I used an olive sort of bronze colored taffeta wired ribbon that really changes and moves with the light, a white and gold gossamer, a multi-hued pink and red wired silk ribbon, and a basic narrow white ribbon. I love my end result, and I am already planning on multiplying my ribbon garlands throughout the house next year as well in all my oversized entryways.


The garland in the entry foyer is all new. I moved away from the traditional frasier fir garland and bought 48 feet of this magnolia leaf garland with gold and red berries. The leaves are every so lightly sprayed with a sheer sort of gold paint so they really glisten and glimmer without actually looking too gold. I also added lights through the garland so it would really shine at night. Next year I'll probably add a ribbon garland to this as well.

Tomorrow I've got another crafty post for you guys, and will probably hop on as well on friday with more things. Yesterday I was busy making a lamb costume for the Christmas program at mini #1's school, so that pretty much occupied my entire day. If I never see another bag of cotton batting it will be too soon. ;-)