Valentine Mantel

Written by: Cathy Carroll

I 

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.....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

'

Do you decorate for Valentine's or leave up a winter mantel at this time of year?  Do you do any other Valentine decorating? 

You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook

and

Pinterest.

Leave me a comment - I love to hear from each and every one of you.

Until next time

have fun creating something you love....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.

Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....