Valentine Mantel | Vintage, Paint and more...

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Valentine Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll




Valentine Mantel - Mantel decorated with thrifted items and covered foam core letters.

I finally got the Christmas tree and all the decorations down and put away.  This is really late for me as I usually take them down January 1. But, this year we were traveling until the 5th.  Then when we finally made it home I really did not feel like tackling such a big job - so, it sat for a few more days - more like a week.
But, it's down and now the dilemma of what to do with the mantel.  I wanted to do a winter mantel and just fore go the Valentine thing this year but, I was silly enough to ask for Papa's input.  He, of course, wanted a Valentine mantel.  Since I had asked for his input I had to honor it so...   in honor of Papa we have a Valentine mantel.....


full view of completed mantel

It's quite simple, really, as I did not want to get too involved in too much.  I am in the process of organizing a rather cluttered kitchen right now and it is quite involved.  So, I decided on red, white and cream as the color.  I kept the book page wreath that has taken up permanent residence there I think. Then I used things I had on hand or crafted from items I had on hand.

left side of mantel with candles and books

On the left of the mantel is a stack of old books minus their covers, tied with raffia.  I had a couple of white candle sticks I bought at the dollar store last year and placed  a glittery red candle on each.  I also had those from last Christmas.  I then taped a couple of little glittery hearts on the candlesticks.  I got these from the Dollar Tree last year.

center of mantel with word "love" , flowers and candle


In the center is the word LOVE.  The letters are cut from foam core and then covered with some scrapbook paper I had on hand.  I also keep sheets of foam core on hand as they are so useful.  I get mine at the Dollar Tree.  The little heart in the center of the O is a Christmas ornament from the Dollar Tree.  After covering the letters with the paper I ran an ink pad over the edges to give them that old vintage look.

small box of flowers

The right side is a small box I covered with red glittery polka dot paper I had.  I filled it with a piece of floral block and then shredded red tissue paper ( I actually ran a piece of red tissue paper through our paper shredder for this).  Then I filled it with little faux white flowers, some red grasses and some more of the little red hearts glued to red straws. All of this I had on hand.

full view of mantel including book page wreath above it

Then there is another stack of old books, sans covers, with a large candle stick holding a tall white candle and another red heart ornament.  I then just ran a banner of red hearts across the mantel.  The banner I got at the Dollar Tree last year.  Later I changed this and hung it from the mantel ledge.

right facing full view of mantel including book page wreath

I do really like the simplicity of this and the fact that I already had everything on hand.  It also took very little time to put together and very little thought on my part.  That's quite important to me right now with everything else I have going on.  But, most importantly, Papa likes it and I listened to his input instead of going on with my own thoughts and wishes.  
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Do you decorate for Valentine's or leave up a winter mantel at this time of year?  Do you do any other Valentine decorating? 



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Until next time
have fun creating something you love....

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24 comments:

  1. Cathy, your Valentine decor on your mantel is just adorable! Love those letters and your whole look is so very clever! I'm happy I found your blog today!
    Nancy

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  2. I too love the letters. I am a sucker for pretty candles too, so, you have it all. Looks great. Rhonda

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  3. Cathy, I love the letters and the candles! Thank you for sharing, you have some great ideas here that I will be "borrowing" this weekend for my mantle.

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  4. oh i love everything. totally cool wreath! Thanks for linking to Snickerdoodle Sunday!

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  5. Love all of it! Those LOVE letters are adorable!

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  6. Cathy, I love your letters! We're on the same page with our posts, mantles that is. :). I'm following you now.

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  7. Love Love your Valentine mantel!! Thank you for sharing your ideas with us at TTF!

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  8. This mantle is adorable! I love the letters. I would love for you to link up to the Thursday S.T.Y.L.E. Link Party I co-host! http://addicted2diy.com/2014/01/23/thursday-s-t-y-l-e-link-party-4/

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  9. oooooo I love your mantel Cathy! I will be featuring it on Saturday @ redheadcandecorate.com for our "Inspiration Monday Party Features" which are a day early this week. I look forward to sharing your mantel!

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  10. Beautiful!! I especially love your wreath!!
    I am co hosting Fluster's Creative muster party! Thanks for linking up!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  11. Looks great...I ♥♥♥ that wreath...one day I will make one!

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  12. Such a sweet mantel! Thanks so much for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

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  13. Love the mantel! It is perfect for Valentines.

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  14. I so love your mantle! You decorated it so romantically. Your mantle really inspires me. So happy I found your blog.

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  15. Hi Cathy! I love your Valentine's Mantel! Thanks so much for linking up to the LInk It or Lump It Link Party last week..I wanted to let you know I am featuring your project as one of my favorites! Come on over and grab a button and link up again! http://www.twoityourself.com/2014/01/link-it-or-lump-it-link-party-23-plus.html#more

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  16. Cute mantle Cathy! Love the letters and the way you used the ink to age them. Thanks for sharing this at What We Accomplished Wednesdays! Have a super week!

    Deborah

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  17. I love this!! I love the colors. I would love to have you hop over and share with us at Tell Me About It Tuesday! (http://www.sweetsillysara.com/2014/01/tell-me-about-it-tuesday-3.html)

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  18. Hi Cathy, I think your mantle is darling! I especially love the letters. Great idea to cut them out of foam core! I have more Valentines décor than I really need so I end up scattering it in quite a few rooms. I kept my mantle pretty simple this year also. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  19. This is marvelous! I am honored that you shared at Home and Garden Thursday!
    Kathy

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  20. Hi Cathy, featuring you on my fb page today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  21. I LOVE your mantle! I was born without the decorating gene I'm afraid, and love getting inspiration like this for decorating my home. Thank you for the step-by step instructions, and thank you so much for linking this up at the Shine a Spotlight Saturday Link Party on Angels Homestead this week!

    April

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  22. Once again, I love this mantle! Thank you for linking it up at Thursday S.T.Y.L.E. I hope to see you link up again this week!

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  23. Cathy, I really like your ideas! Especially the "LOVE" letters! I will be featuring it on my blog (homemakinghearts.com) tomorrow and sending folks your way to find out how to make these decorations for themself! Great job!

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