2011 Christmas Mantel (be it a little late!)

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I didn't have a chance to post photos of my Christmas mantel before today. 

I wanted a natural, rustic look for Christmas this year. Truth be told, I am drawn towards this look most of the time.

Continuing with the theme from my 2011 Christmas Tree, I made a couple trees with vintage hymnal sheet music. Miss Mustard Seed has a nice tutorial on the HGTV website.

 I wrapped another tree with jute (hot glued just enough to hold in place). Some antique dovetailed wood boxes give the trees some additional height and an old pizza peel and printers drawer serve as the backdrop for the vignette.

I gathered some evergreens from my yard (including pine, spruce and holly) and filled a long flat tray with moistened oasis and cut and tucked the greens to my hearts desire. Lastly, I added a simple burlap bow and a few silver ornaments.

For the mantel area above the firebox, I started with an old dresser mirror.

I added some more natural trees and another wood box. For the taller tree, I glued a nice texturized fabric  over a tree form and added a burlap star/rosette for the top.

For this tree, I wrapped strips of burlap around a tree form and tied on a couple bells with some jute.

 A wreath with a burlap bow - can't get much simpler.

 Another sheet music tree placed on top of my favorite vintage scale.

We had a lovely Christmas this year and hope that yours was too.

Linking up to the following parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Todays Creative Blog
The Best of 2011 at Its So Very Cheri
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Market Yourself Monday at Sumos Sweet Stuff
Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do
Motivated Monday at Be Colorful
I Made It Monday at Ninth Street Notions
Creative Me Monday at The Southern Institute
Making Monday Marvelous Day at C.R.A.F.T.
Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts
Sundae Scoop at I Heart Nap Time

Until next time ~ Suzanne.