Resurrecting this post from the pre-hacking days!
A free printable for you to add some spring to your decor — Just click, print and frame!
Click to download and print your own!
XOXO, Dani
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I wasn’t going to share my Valentine’s Day mantle this year, because honestly it hasn’t changed much from last year. I’ve been pretty busy… and lazy at the same time (it’s totally possible), so it hasn’t been a priority.
HOWEVER – I had what I thought was a brilliant idea and I decided to play around and give it a try.
The other day I started thinking about the decorations I use throughout the year and how I often re-purpose the generic things if they are the right color. Take red, for example – red is a primary color for several holidays, so it helps to have some red staples, like vases, dishes, frames, etc., that you can use throughout the year in your holiday decor.
Some things that you might think are specific to just one holiday might be used for other holidays as well if you get creative about it.Β I wanted to pull out the red tinsel and my red Christmas ball ornaments from my storage bins in the garage, but they were too high up and Hubbo was out of town. Bummer!
But then I noticed my giant yard candy canes hanging in the garage right in front of me, and at arms reach, too. Hmmmmm… I thought it might be a bit of a stretch, but then I realized that candy canes are PERFECT for Valentine’s Day, too! Yes! Seriously! Because, did you know, if you face two of them together, they make, like, the perfect HEART!?!? 
Yeah, they totally do. Aren’t I a genius?
No, I’m not, I totally stole the idea from my neighbor who did this on her lawn at Christmas time… but she doesn’t have them up now!Β π
You would be surprised at how many things can be used to decorate throughout the year, even if they seem like they are specific to one holiday. Patience Brewster makes the most adorable and unique ornaments and decorations that are great for Christmas, but they are just so dang cute, you could use them year round. In fact I wish I had these little guys right here for my Valentine’s Day mantle – they are perfect!
So don’t be afraid to think outside of your holiday box or plastic storage bin – start mixing it up!
In the meantime, I’m going to save my pennies for this guy for St. Pattie’s Day!
Framed and ready for display!
As I mentioned before, St. Patrick’s Day has never been a big “To Do” in my house, but I wanted to at least do a little something for my little man. I shared with you a Free Printable that I created – I’ve framed that and found a few other items to put up on the mantle to make it festive.
Everything came from Michaels – gotta love that store! And right now, all of the St. Patrick’s Day decor is 50% off, so if you’re looking for some last minute items, go there first! This frame was 40% off and I had a coupon for an additional 25% off of all frames. Love my Michaels app with instant coupons!
I made a simple mini-bunting using scrapbook paper – you know I love my sparkles! I found this great gold piece and a muted polka dotted green piece.. I cut out a few triangles by hand (nothing fancy!).
Pretty Papers… Pretty Ribbon…
I punched some holes and strung them on a bright glittery green ribbon that I found in the $1 ribbon bin near the door (score!).
I’m often working right next to or even ON my laptop.
Workspace.. or lack thereof
I found this awesome little chalkboard in the dollar bin too (double score!).
Lucky to Find This Guy for $1
The greenery in the vase is from the St. Patrick’s Day decor section – they are clovers on stems, and they sparkle too!
…and that’s it. Nothing major, but it gives the house a little bit of cuteness and makes it festive for Monday’s Corned Beef & Cabbage meal. :o)
Our Irish Mantle
Looking for that Free Printable? Look no further!
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I will be honest with you… St. Patrick’s Day has never really been that big of a deal for me. Maybe because I don’t drink beer? At least in my area, in my circles, St. Patty’s day is about wearing green, going to a bar and getting drunk. But alas, I never went out and binged on green fizzy in my pre-k years. However, one thing that I do ALWAYS do, is cook up a mean corned beef and cabbage meal – because for me, even if I’m not THAT in to the holiday itself, I’m always in to the FOOD!
I normally don’t decorate for this holiday either… I think I am even part Irish (that remains a mystery!), but I never felt the need to put green stuff up all over the house. This year, however, I am feeling very crafty and I have a 2 year old son that loves it when the decorations on the fireplace change. Not to mention, right now I am pretty much stuck inside the house most of the time (pregnancy woes), so it does me some good to change things up a bit too — even if it is only temporary.
I did a flyer for a friend’s bar for their St. Patrick’s Day bash and it got me in design mode, so I whipped up something fun for the mantle that I thought you might enjoy too.
Framed and ready for display!
That’s right folks – another free printable! Woo hoo!
In the weeks, months, years to come – in the spirit of the Irish – I say:
Wherever You Go and Whatever You Do, May the Luck of the Irish Be there with You!Β
After all, we can always use a Little Bit of Luck!
You can find some more wonderful Irish toasts and blessings at Island Ireland!
XOXO, D
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Nothing says lovin’ like a dressed up Valentine’s Day mantle! I didn’t go overboard this time; usually it ends up looking like Valentine barfed all over my mantle – I often have a hard time knowing when to stop. But I restrained myself this time, knowing that more than just my family would be seeing this year’s love fest.
Love Fest 2014
I have a hard time taking good pictures of my my fireplace and mantle because of that sliding glass door over there on the right side — it lets in a massive amount of light. I’m just not photo-savvy enough (yet!) to figure out how to adjust properly. But I think this one came out ok.
My mantle features a few items from my recent posts! Here’s my LOVE Printable and my easy Heart Garland…
Recent LOVE Printable and Heart Garland
In the center I have our wedding signature frame – it’s full of loving sentiments from our friends and family that attended our wedding in 2009. I still have yet to put the actual wedding photo in the frame (I don’t know what’s wrong with me) – the photo that is in there is one of our engagement photos. It’s loving and romantic and always stays right there in the center where it belongs.
Front and Center
In front of the frame is a vase with a blessing engraved on it that was given to us by my husband’s parents – I think it was for our first anniversary! Again – it’s always right there, front and center – it just gets filled with different things depending on the season or holiday! This time I filled it with a wired heart garland from Michaels to give it some sparkle and dimension. The picture on the right is from Logan’s 1st birthday. π
You can also see the heart doilies – I couldn’t help it, I had to put a couple up on my mantle! I used them on the teacher gifts I made and posted earlier this week.
So there you have it, that’s my mantle. I would LOVE to see yours if you decorated! Feel free to send me a picture!
Now about those wall decals…. remember I used them on the teacher gifts, because they were removable? I have to tell you, whenever I see them at the store(s) I buy them because they are wonderful Toddler Time Takers.
Window Play
Logan LOVES playing with them, just like he loves playing with stickers, only these last much longer and don’t get stuck on things. He can’t rip them up like stickers, either. He likes to re-arrange them over and over again, which is great for me when I need a few minutes to finish up cooking or get ready to go somewhere…I can just whip some out and he’ll occupy himself. They help strengthen his little fingers and let him be creative!
See, Mommy?
So if you have a little one, I highly recommend grabbing the window decals or clings next time you see them. It’s fun to have all different sorts on hand that tie in to upcoming events or holidays!
That’s it folks — tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! Hope you’ve enjoyed the ideas I’ve posted this week — lots of love to you!
XOXO, D
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