Step by Step To Decorating Our Mantle

Linking up this week with Cuisine Kathleen, Link in my side bar.
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I thought I would share with you how I have decorated my mantle.  This mantle is a bunch of leftover things all put together on a garland. I was going to change it this year - but I really like it - so next year I will change it up again.

The first step is to put the lights up.  I have tried to do this with the greenery and it never did look right.  I put it up and then added the garland and twisted the garland around the lights.  It worked much better.  I also used 100 count lights on both the mantle and the bottom part.  The 50 count lights weren't enough light.

I added a nail to both sides of the mantle to hook the lights so they are stable and also to hook the garland.  It gives it much stability.  I decor the mantle with each holiday so  the nails really help.

 I wanted this to be a really  nice thick garland (which is pricey) so I bought the really cheap stuff and doubled it.  Then I wrapped it around the lights to cover the cords.

The next step is to add the ribbon.  As I undid the roll I twisted it and twisted it around the garland so it  would intersperse with the garland. 

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I had some leftover plastic snowflake garland and added it into the garland as well.  You cant even see it but it add's a great reflection of the lights.

Now comes the fun part!
Next step was to add some broken ice branches and scatter them all through it and  add some leftover white poinsetta's in clusters in the corners.

Next I added a bunch of ornaments I had, silver stars and balls, ice scicles, snowflakes, boutineers from weddings,  etc.  The fun thing about this kind of a garland set up is you can tuck things on top, in the back as well as in the front.  It all adds to the overall look.  I also added a strip of  netting to the lights on the mantle to soften them

Here is the finished look!  I still need to add some do-dad's to the mantle as soon as I get them unpacked. 

It is lovely with the lights at night as well.

Thanks for stopping by - hopefully I will have time to post a few more things tomorrow. 

. Have a great week!

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Today I am grateful for a nice warm house - this is what was outside this afternoon as I decorated - a full blown Idaho blizzard!