Have a Mantle......

I truly hope for a mantle each time we move. Having one is on my list of must haves. We have been fortunate to find one most of the places we have lived.

Over the years I have heard many people ask what to put on their mantle, or say that they just do not bother to decorate it. It doesn't have to be that hard though.

Decorating for the seasons is a sure fire way to have an instant theme. Kids love to help when a change of season is involved. Decorating a mantle is a great way to get kids involved. Once done the mantle then becomes a cheery reminder of seasonal fun and comfy tradition.

I generally start by choosing one focal item for the center of the mantle. Most of the time it is our large wooden initial. I bought it on clearance a few years back, it is "our" letter, and it matches just about anything. Then I decorate around it. I add various heights and create a line of decor pleasing to the eye.

What to add really depends on what you find. Clearance items, garage sales, flea markets, and old favorites are your friend when designing a new look for a mantle area. One of the things I like most about decorating mantles is the blank spot and unlimited possibilities to create and repurpose things into something new and exciting.

So what about in between seasons. For example, the mantle I just recently created reflects summer but I brought in a few fall colors too. After all, budget can come into play as well. I needed to buy a few flowers for this look and decided sunflowers and black eyed susans could also carry into whatever my fall mantle turns out to be.

Similarly, I found the fancy mason jar for a clear out price and saw how it could be used for several different seasons. The burlap flower on top of the lantern was an old spring clearance item. I bought it for 75 cents. I put a strip of bike ribbon inside the lantern and an old favorite for my mantle had a new, matching look.

After scouring my home for things to use, I spent an additional $15 on my current mantle look. That covered ribbon, flowers/floral accents, and the mason jar.

One last tip.....I make mixes to use in vases and jars. My current mix is dried beans, fall colored buttons, and leaves. I store my mixes in tightly closed mason jars when not in use. Sometimes I use glass stones or tiny seasonal erasers from Target's Dollar Spot. I have saved a ton of money by reusing my vase and jar fillers over the years.

If you have a mantle have a great time with it! Enjoy the rest of the summer as we slip closer and closer to fall.