Howdie folks! Ready for day three! I am! I am so pleased to show you todays project. I think it is going to be one of my favorites of the year. My 2014 Christmas mantel! But before you scroll down to look at the pretty pictures, may I remind you to go visit my friends when you are done reading and to go hunt down that daily giveaway! My mantel decoration this year is a star studded affair. It involves two seperate projects that as serendipity has it, look so good together. The idea started with these wooden houses. Now I don’t know if this is the same world over, but little houses in all shapes, forms and materials are quite the rage over here in Europe. They have been for some time. As usual it started out with the high end design stores and now they have reached the dollar stores and discount shops too. You can find a little house for every season, in wood, metal, porcelain or zink. There are houses with text, without text but with room for candles, with or without windows etc. Houses everywhere and I love them all. Considering the prices at the discount store I seriously contemplated buying me some. Then I decided against it because: 1. Buying something that I will probably use only a few times seems so wasteful. 2. Even at discount prices, I want a collection and than the cost tallies up fast. 3. Every penny spent on buying a little house can not be invested in chocolate. 4. What is the fun in buying? So I decided to make my own. Ever since we built my reclaimed wood headboard, I had the cut-offs of those boards laying in my workshop. Taunting me to do something with them. As it were they were mostly abused used as drilling shields, staple testers and paint drip catchers. They seemed perfect for this job. So off to the miter saw it was. Here they are. You can see the stack of boards I have left in the back (still taunting me, still likely to be abused). I just eyeballed the whole thing. Cut them in different sizes and shapes on the miter saw, guestimated the center, put the saw at a 45 degree angle and tried to hit the center. The roofs are a bit crooked but who cares. It is not as if the housing inspection is going to show up. I primed all of the fresh cut sides and a couple of fronts. And then I went to town with white, gold and silver craft paint. And here they are. My little star studded Christmas village.
My own creation (if not my own invention) for absolutely free.
These little wooden houses are really versatile. They look good with everything. I repurposed them here in a little vignette that goes with my tobacco basket Christmas wreath wall decor.
The star garlands were also an easy project. I cut three sizes of stars (google star template and you’ll find thousands in all shapes and sizes) from silver wrapping paper, brown craft paper and some gold chocolate wrapping (yes really I did! which is why this garland smells faintly of chocolate, gotta love that). Then I sewed them all into a garland. The sewing part is easy and quick. I promise. Just line them up and run them under the needle. Two things to think about: it works best if you feed the star in in-between spikes if that makes sense. If you feed them in tip first the paper might get stuck in the transport. Secondly stitch some thread in between stars so they have room to move. And after you are done, set this needle aside, because you don’t want to use a needle that has sewed paper for your next fabric project. And then play with your garland. I made two garlands and attached the center of each high up in the corner. Some push pins are guiding them down. It looks good like this. But the true magic happens when the fairy lights are lit. > The hot air from the candles makes some of the stars spin a bit (I made sure non of them are actually in the way of the flames or heat) and the silver and gold sparkle. Not your traditional Christmas mantel. But it is 100% my mantel and I love it. So what do you think? Love or hate? Tell me in the comments below. And then go on your way and visit my wonderful talented friends. Good luck with finding the giveaway!
12 Days of Christmas Decorations
See all of my 12 Days of Christmas Decorations posts here: [categorythumbnaillist 1303]
Marianne Songbird is the founder of Songbird, where she hopes to inspire everyone to create a home they love, one DIY project at a time. She shares anything from craft ideas to home decor inspiration and from DIY projects to decorating hacks. Originally from the Netherlands Marianne and her husband Lex are currently renovating a 250-year-old farmhouse in Germany.
Tamara says
beautiful..elegant simplicity ..and I love your thoughts that saving $ = more chocolate! 🙂 thank you for sharing your lovely ideas.
blessings,
tamara
Marianne@Songbird says
Chocolate is always a priority in my house….
Thanks for stopping by.
Carla says
It’s just darling! You did a nice job. Thank you for the inspiration!
Donna - Funky Junk Interiors says
Gorgeous! The houses are so stylin’… but that garland! I LOVE that you sewed them together.. the result is absolutely stunning! You nearly had me convinced to look for my sewing machine pedal… (my excuse for not sewing this year).
Etta says
Pragtig! I always look forward to your 12 days of Christmas and I am always amazed by your creativity!
Kathleen says
I absolutely love your stitched star garlands ~ ESP. your innovative idea to use chocolate wrappers!!! I would find the eating of the chocolate first ~ love me some dark chocolate ~ the most FUN! SO creative!
Marianne@Songbird says
🙂
Dark chocolate lover here too. I love that I have an excuse to eat lots of chocolate because I am ‘saving’ money because I don’t have to buy craft paper……
Michael Wurm, Jr. says
I love it when a “theme” really works! This is a total win Marianne! Fabulous ideas all around.
xo Michael
Emilou says
Hi Marianne, I love your garland and houses and like you said “these are your originals”. I have always loved stars. Wonderful, and thanks for sharing. Blessings and smiles, Emilou
Marianne@Songbird says
Thank you! I love stars too. And hearts.
Gwen says
Love it!!! Proud of your skills. Love the houses. Totally. And garland. I do my thing and think oh why didn’t I think of Yoour idea?!!!!
Marilyn says
Oh Marianne, I loved this post! I like your mantel–especially the garland, and the fact that the stars spin with the warmth from the candles. I ended up reading your post to my husband (who really couldn’t care less about decorating) because I kept chuckling through the whole thing, and he wanted to know what I was reading. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Julie says
I love your Christmas decorations Marianne 🙂
SuZeQ says
Yubba Dubba Do. I never really associated stars with Christmas until this year. You have done a bang-up job displaying yours. LOVE.
Libby Boyle from Libby's Lifestyle says
These are so cute and beautiful. A starry house mantel. Lovely.