Average But Inspired

Inspiring creativity with crafts, DIY, and home decor projects.

by

My Christmas Mantel – At Least Something’s Decorated

OMG.

I am so far behind on everything Christmas-related this year.

I know people say to relax and enjoy the season, but it’s just not me to let things slide.  In order to enjoy, I need to be on top of my game.  That means that by now I should have the cards out, the presents purchased, and the decorations up.

I’m about 20% there.  (Translation = I’m a total stress case right now.)

Over the weekend we got some decorating finished (including outdoor lights, which my poor husband had to set up in 18 degree weather and a snowstorm), so it’s feeling kind of merry around here.

One of the areas in my home lucky enough to be touched with some Christmas spirit was the mantel.  This year I went with a rustic chic theme (it’s not a woodland theme, mom!), in the living room, and here’s how that played out on my mantel.

 
I replaced the art that usually hangs over my mantel with these DIY faux chalkboard “JOY” canvases, which I made back in November when I had my life under control.  I may do a post with more detail on how to make these – we shall see.  If anybody really wants to know, please leave a comment or send me an email, and then I will write it up in more depth.  (I’m too tired to do it now.  I did 13 loads of laundry today.  That is not a joke.)
 
 
Then I added some garland and mini trees from JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts, and some other decorative elements I already had at home.
 
blank
 
See that cute tree ribbon around the $2 vase?  It’s taped on there and will be removed once Christmas is over.  My motto this Christmas season is “slap some ribbon on it.”  I’m putting different ribbon all over to make regular, everyday pieces in my home more festive for the season.  More on that later.  Maybe.
 
blank
 
Well, that’s about it for now.  I am going to go eat a cookie and admire the one area of my home that’s ready for the season.
 
I hope your Christmas preparations are going better than mine!

Comments

    • Bre Eggert says

      Hi Wilma! Thank you! OK, I will fill you in on how to do this in a post later this week. It is SUPER easy! If you make something, I want to see it!

  5. Bre Eggert says

    Hi, Meredith. Thank you! I’m so glad you commented . . . I used to follow your blog when it was Faking Picture Perfect (right?) . . . but then it was gone and I wasn’t getting updates anymore. I must have been because you changed sites! Anyway, I’m so glad to have “found” you once again. You’re a great writer with such funny and honest parenting insights.

    Reply

    • Bre Eggert says

      Hi Elena! Thank you SO much! I’m so glad I found your blog and the PINcentive Blog Hop! I’m excited to link up in the future, too. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Modernizing a Mirrored Wall: Tape to the Rescue!

One of the biggest challenges in my Office and Guest Room Combo Makeover was modernizing a mirrored wall that screamed “hello, it’s 1980.”  OK, obviously it didn’t really scream that, but it might as well have! Of course I thought about removing the mirrored wall altogether.  But when I researched how to do that, I […]

DIY Dollar Tree Easter Carrot Decor

I’ve made a lot of Easter crafts over the years, and they’ve all tended to focus on bunnies and eggs.  Now I’m in an Easter carrot decor phase.  (It’s a real thing.)  Last year’s Easter craft post was this Carrot Door Hanger, and this year it’s all about the carrots, too. You’d think that I […]

How to Soften a Hard Paint Brush Without Chemicals!

There is nothing worse than getting ready to start a painting project and finding your paint brush dried out and too hard to use!  Before you get frustrated and go buy a new brush, let me show you how to soften a hard paint brush without chemicals.  It’s so easy and will have you painting […]

Office and Guest Room Combo: How to Create a Double-Duty Space

Our ‘new’ home has one more bedroom than at our last house, and because of that, we had no furniture for it.  It’s pretty tiny, but with some creative planning I turned it into an office and guest room combo space that easily pulls double-duty, making it a totally functional WIN for my family!   With […]