mantel Archives - Keeping With The Times

Vintage Window (Pains)

February 19, 2015 by Barb 26 Comments

I adore vintage windows but when it comes to photographing them in vignettes, I end up having window (pains) … pains in the form of reflections.

But yesterday, as I was teetering on a step stool and cursing the light from the windows behind me, I had an “aha” moment … or was it a “duh ha” moment? No matter, I suddenly thought, why don’t I just throw some cheesecloth over it? I adore cheesecloth, and I especially adore the rag-tag torn look it gets after I’ve fussed with it for an hour or so, pulling it this way and that, getting it caught in the pokey succulents and stretching it across the sharp edge of the frame. But in the end, it was mission accomplished: no more reflections!

Oh, and that window … oh my … this is my Friday Find … swooning here. There were two identical windows at my local junque shop, and I almost walked out with both. Luckily I got hold of my senses and decided one was enough. However, If I’d had anywhere to hang them on a wall together, this story would have ended differently. As it was, only one of them found its way home with me and is now occupying a prime spot on my mantle.

I processed the following two photos in LR with kk_gentle:

The light coming in the south window in the morning is nothing short of scrumptious! I seem to be finding light everywhere these days; we now have 10 hours and 8 minutes of daylight! Woot! more time to play!

I found the tulips at Costco (very affordable) and I plan to have tulips from now until at least the middle of March.

kk_melancholy:

kk_breeze:

A White Christmas Mantel

December 3, 2012 by Barb 17 Comments

I wanted to design a different type of wreath this year and when I came across a square wreath on Pinterest I knew I wanted one!

Willow for the frame was an obvious choice for me – I have a mega abundance of it growing in my back yard and I really love working with it. In the past I’ve made baskets, planters, and even a bench using willow. I love the way the branches seem to roll into place and fit together snugly – no matter how crooked they are.

To make the frame I cut four pieces of willow into 20″ pieces, put two on top of the other two (top and bottom) and secured them together with nails. Then I added two small pieces to create the panes. As I mentioned, willow falls together seamlessly and it’s rustic so perfectionism is not allowed here.

Square-Birch-Wreath-Christmas-Mantel-copy

I also absolutely love the wild look of birch branches so out I went again to gather some up. I feel very fortunate that I live in the country and have all this natural material around me.

I simply wove the birch around the frame and the panes. No glue, nails, string or wires were used. As I added branches they all kind of held each other together – it’s really quite sturdy.

Then I added a few birch branches along the mantel and put a couple of strings of teeny tiny white lights throughout. I already had the big wooden frame, the bird picture, the tall white wooden bird and the “Let It Snow” sign.

Square-Birch-Wreath-Christmas-Mantel-1-copy

The only thing I spent money on was the paint for the wooden frame. I wanted my wreath to contrast with the frame and the grey was just not cutting it.

Square-Birch-Wreath-Christmas-Mantel-3-copy

So I covered it using this paint I found in my favourite antique/collectible/junk store (One Man’s Treasure).

First time I’ve come across chalk paint. I was inspired to say the least. It took no time at all to get it done – it dries extremely fast so 2 coats took about 1 hour – perfect for someone as impatient as me. I decided not to use the antiquing wax since I wanted an overall white and dreamy effect on my mantel

Square-Birch-Wreath-Christmas-Mantel-2-copy

I love being outdoors and gathering natural material.

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Have a wonderful Christmas!

Spring vignette

March 11, 2012 by Barb 28 Comments

I think I’m ready for spring. In my mind anyway, so as my hutch display needed some brightening up, I went to my newest favourite store, The Country Pumpkin. Serious addiction going on there. I want everything I see!

So I have to be very careful and choose wisely. I tried to think of things I could use for spring, right through summer (if necessary). I started with a new table top runner – light green checks – gorgeous! Oh and that yellow birdhouse – must have . . . hmmmm . . . I love that little black lantern – how very country! That pretty green and white berry wreath – Superstore . . . OK, I did buy that bird too. But, I did re-use my antique books, chicken wire basket and of course my old window frame mirror stays put.

Spring Banner Mantle

Then I made a banner!! Yippee! how long have I wanted a banner? I simply cut the banner from cardstock, printed the word spring, cut the letters out and sewed them onto the paper. Then I stitched along the edges of the banner and added some paper flowers and other embellishments (of which I have a trillion due to my earlier paper scrapping days). So easy! I didn’t try to make it perfect either – I just had fun.

I love my old window frame – so chippy!

I love using birds in my decor …

… and bird houses …

… and wreaths.

… just love!

Spring Mantel 2012

March 8, 2012 by Barb 20 Comments

When I look at my spring mantel I feel that it’s quite plain. Well, maybe it’s just simple . . . I like that word better!

Spring Mantel, Moss, Pussy Willows

When I spied some pussy willows in the ditch in late February (earliest ever), I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to bring a bit of spring love into the house.

I bought the big ‘old’ wood mirror from Home Sense and at the same time noticed the two black framed pictures with the trees. They could have been photographs taken from my dining room window! They really drew me in – I love the fact that there is a tiny bit of green growth showing.

I added three moss balls and a tiny bird house which I found at our country gift store. I also found a pretty yellow pillow and layered it on top of a light green one to brighten up my brown chair.

Spring Mantel, Moss, Pussy Willows

The sun is so bright right now and it was pouring in as I took these photos. Everything looks so cheerful. Spring is here, in my house at least.

My wintry mantel and a little tour

December 1, 2011 by Barb 39 Comments

I finally finished up my mantel today. On the weekend we hung our Robert Bateman print ‘Winter Run’. Today I added the two little shrubs wrapped up in burlap (they remind me of the snowy branches in the painting). However, the wreath beside them almost didn’t get to stay. It kept falling off the mantel and that was OK until the time it hit me on the head, bounced off, crashed onto my finger (the finger that had stitches this past summer) and cut it. I did a little dance around the living room saying a few words (not to be repeated here) but I think they were warranted at the time . . . grrrrr. I finally got the wreath to sit there with a little help from that blue sticky putty stuff. I added a trio of birch logs tied together, a couple of white candles in the holders that I already had, lights, and some silver balls which will match my (soon to be decorated) tree.

first, an early evening view

the overall view – daytime

birch logs and white candles

little burlap-wrapped shrubs from Home Sense

my little antique parlour stove

looking out the great room window – you can see that it snowed the night before

looking into the kitchen/dining area

My new (old) window frame and vintage paper trees

my twinkly banister

It’s just my style this year; low-key, natural, partly homemade. I can’t put my tree up until the 7th of December but it will be sitting directly behind where I stood to take this photo. Can’t wait to start that!

(btw I think my finger is going to be OK as well as my head)

Vintage paper trees

November 30, 2011 by Barb 76 Comments

I first saw these frilly little trees from hgtv (Pinterest) and knew I had to have one (or three). They are super simple to make and have such a delicate presence sitting there on my little china cabinet.

Speaking of my china cabinet – I gave the top a new look this year. It started when I saw this old window frame with the mirrors in the panes. I was casually shopping around at The Country Pumpkin for little ornaments when I turned around and saw it. I was smitten . . . I felt dizzy . . . I needed air . . . When I came around I made the decision to leave the store for an hour or so to think about it – how responsible is that! Anyway, you can see here that the rest is history. It’s home with me where it belongs, sigh . . .

Dictionary Paper Trees, vintage, christmas