Instagram

I am a huge fan of instagram and the photos that I have been able to take with it. In fact, some of my very favorite photos have been because of Instagram.  Last month, I decided that I wanted to be able to see the photos that I take every day, and not just on my phone.  That is how I came up with this idea.

The frame started out not too fancy.  I got it from Tai Pan years ago, and never really cared for the artwork inside of it.  (Here's a tip.  If you ever come across a square picture frame for really cheap, buy it. Seriously. You will thank me later.  They are pretty rare to find at a great price.)  I think I paid $15 for this frame and it is huge.  Like 3 feet square huge.

I started out by painting the frame.  I wanted the inside frames to match the outside frame and I wasn't really digging the whole gold frame look.  I used some spray paint and it was a whole new frame.

Originally, I thought that having the matting painted the same color as the frames would be a good idea.  But, once I got the photos in, I didn't like it.  To fix it, I cut some card stock paper into strips and put it into the spaces between the frames.  I love the way it helps the photos stand out.

As far as the photos go, I just uploaded them to photoshop and made them into 6 inch squares.  The photos that are my favorites, I made the full 6 inches.  The other photos that I like were made into 3 inch squares.  This made it perfect to send to costco to have it printed.  I put four squares together and printed it as a 12X12 photo.  It was inexpensive and pretty great quality too.  The photos are just connected to the frame with photo dots, so I can change them out whenever I would like to.  

Overall, I think it is a great piece for any home, and looks really great above my mantle.  It definitely is a conversation starter.

Valentines Day Mantel

I think I have some explaining to do.  When I posted my pics from my mantel on Friday with the POV, I explained that I needed to finish a certain project on the right hand side of my mantel and take new pics.  Well, I got the project finished and on the mantel, and it just looked off balance.  So, I changed pretty much the whole thing.  I placed and replaced every. single. thing. about 20 times.  Seriously.  I have the pics to prove it.  Thanks to my very patient and decorating savvy aunt who helped me via texted photos (thanks Teresa!) I was able to achieve the balance that I needed.

Phew.

Ok.  Here it is:

And the close ups:

The tree is the thing that I had intended for the right side of my mantel.  I simply took some old tree branches, added some fake blooms onto the branches with a little hot glue, and then I made some cute heart ornaments to hang on the tree.

 I am so happy with the way it turned out.  I will be showing you where I put my mailboxes, tomorrow.  Plus I will show you what I intend to do with them starting on Wednesday.  You may want to run to Target and get some of your own from the dollar section before then so that you can have the supplies ready.  Just sayin.

Fall Mantle

I know that Halloween is now over, but I realized that I never posted my updated mantle which also happens to have some holiday decor on it.  So I thought I would share it with you cause I am pretty excited about it. 

Here is what my mantle looked like last Halloween.

And this is how it looks now.

I decided to do some graphic art to modernize my front room a little. 

 I added a monogram and an owl and I loved the results. 

I really love the graphic pattern and I love that I can do so much paired with it on the mantle.  What do you think?

Summer Mantel

I have been working on a couple of fun summer projects for my mantel lately and thought that I would show you what I have finished so far.   

First of all, my sisters and I got together and made these fun firecrackers.  They are super simple to make and totally inexpensive.  I really love the way that they turned out!

The frames were a cream color, but I decided to freshen them up a little bit and painted them white.  I am so glad that I did because it really made a huge difference in the way that it all came together.  It was a subtle change, but one that was worth it.  I filled the frames with some of my favorite summer-y pictures.

I have been toying with the idea of making a pennant for a while now.  They are so fun and cute, I just have never found one that I just HAD to make.  After I made the firecrackers, I thought it would be fun to make one that goes on my mantel that is 4th of July-ish.  I really like the way it turned out too.  It is also a super easy and inexpensive project.  All you need is a couple of scrapbook papers, some brads, grommets and a sack from Roberts.  (Yes, that is what I used for the brown behind.  See.....cheap!)  I added a little detail by stitching around the pennant sides with my sewing machine.  I think it really makes it even cuter. 

Here it is all put together.  I really like it so far, but feel like it is missing something.  Any suggestions?  I am all ears!

Harvest Blocks

A couple of days ago, I invited my sister in law Anna over to do some crafting.  It has been a while since we have gotten together for a project, so it was about time!  So, while the kids tore apart the house, we sanded, drilled, painted, crackled and dried these awesome blocks.

I have seen this idea floating around blog land to put tea light candles into decorative wood blocks.  I needed something to go on my mantel and this seemed too perfect not to try. 

All you need to do to complete this project is:
1. Go to home depot.  Get a 4X4 post.  Have the guy there cut it into 4 inch blocks (or whatever size you want)
2. Make sure that you have a way to drill a 1 1/2 inch hole in the top.  After calling several people on my street and making several house visits, I ended up going to Lowe's to buy one.  Save yourself a trip people.
3. Drill holes on top of the blocks in the center.
4. Sand like crazy and wish that you had an electric sander.  Unless you have one.  In which case this probably won't take you 4 hours to complete.
5. Paint the blocks brown.
6. Paint with a crackle paint. you can find this at any craft store next to the acrylic paint.  Make sure to read the bottle before application.  It helps.  Also, I only put the crackle on the sides that were going to be visible.
7. Now paint them cream
8. Cut out your vinyl and apply.
9. Light the candles and enjoy.

I love the way it looks.  Now, I just need something else on the right side of the mantel (don't you think?) 
*Ideas welcome*

Fireplace Mantle

When we moved into our home we realized that a lot of the upgrade options were overlooked by the previous owners. They left the walls white, opted out of overhead lights in the family room, living room and master bedroom, there was no mantle for the fireplace and they decided NOT to get a door for the master bathroom toilet. The walls being white was appealing to me because it felt like an empty canvas was awaiting me. As soon as we got the keys we painted the family room, kitchen and master bedroom before we moved everything in.

I love my house and all of the projects that I get to do because of the lack of upgrades. You may think I am being sarcastic, but I am not. It really has been fun for me. You can imagine my excitement when I decided to make myself a new fireplace mantle. Yep, you heard me right. I decided to make it.

That being said, here is our fireplace in stages. This is what it looked like when the previous owners lived there.  (It is the black box on the wall):

This is what it looked like after we painted and moved in:

and THIS is what it looks like TODAY!

I feel pretty proud of myself. It all started because I saw a shelf at the DI for $2 that was extra long. I immediately thought that it might make a good temporary mantle. So I bought it. Then I went to the Home Depot thinking I would just get wood to make some columns on either side of the shelf. When I brought  the wood home, I realized that I didn't really want to use the shelf anymore, so I designed this using "paint" on the computer. (don't be jealous of my awesome design skills. I know you especially love the family picture right? ha)

Now that I had a clear vision of what I wanted, I went back to the Home Depot again and bought the remaining paint and lumber that I would need.

I put the parts together as much as I could and then sanded and primed it. I chose a brown primer so that I could sand the black paint down and have the rich brown showing through. Then I painted it black. When it was dry I sanded it and assembled it.

I really like the way it turned out and feel pretty proud of myself (if you must know) Of course as soon as it was assembled I had to decorate it and there is no better way to decorate a mantle then with fall decorations. (See my candy corn?)

What do you think?