Hey, hey! Happy Monday. :)
I have arrived safe and sound in the good ol’ US of A. I have already seen a few great friends, picked up a truckload of supplies for my whirlwind home improvement vacation and suffered through enjoyed some northern weather. 
But before I headed off of my island paradise to the frozen tundra of the north (okay, okay … 50s are quite freezing … but close) I couldn’t help but put together a little Christmas arrangement on the mantel to get me in the holiday mood.
And by “the mantel” I totally mean “the floating shelf”, but you catch my snow drift, right?!?! ;)
I already shared with you my new found love of metallic.
And even though green is my all-time favorite color, the combo of red and gold was just calling my name this year. I couldn’t resist making a festive silhouette in just those colors for a little something new.
And you had to assume those weathered and worn stencils would make another appearance. :) Lucky for me I have two sets, they are different sizes … but the mixed and matched look just adds a nice eclectic touch, I think.
A few small mercury glass baubles just placed in a little dish …
A new driftwood and sea glass Christmas tree craft combined with a few wooden trees I picked up on clearance a couple years back after the holidays … a little more gold. :)
More gold, in the form of baubles, just strewn about. Some in a basket with red tissue paper … and a couple with no purpose at all … maybe to keep the sea urchin snowman company.
I had such good luck finding sea urchins last year I made a ton of little snowman ornaments to sell … but I’m down to my lone 3 left. A simple stack gives an illusion of a snowman, right?!?!
This little DIY driftwood Christmas tree adds another dimension of nature that I always seem to be looking for. And the beaded snowflake I made last year draped on the frame gives just the right pop of green.
A little more bling in the form of beglittered tea lights and sea shell ornaments helps give the driftwood tree some sparkle.
And a few simple strands of ribbon secured with painter’s tape temporarily update your basic baskets into holiday appropriate decor.
For me this is the right mix of shiny and new with rustic and warn. An overriding red and gold color scheme with a few touches of green and white layered in. Nothing over the top fancy … but enough to remind us of the spirit of the season, with a little JOY and PEACE mixed in. :)
You can find all of the details for the JOY leaf wreath here.
And if you’re in a building mood, find the floating shelf tutorial here.
And don’t forget, next week we’re celebrating a crafty Christmas so bring your favorite Christmas craft and meet us here on the 10th to link up. And if you haven’t checked out how my co-hosts have been getting ready for the season you should! Lisa went nice and simple with her mantel this year, Cassie created a whole room of fun in her dining room and Ashley has a great gift wrapping series going on.
And do tell … how do you do up your mantel for the holidays? Big and Bold? Simple and elegant? Mantel, what mantel? :)
I just might share this at Tip Junkie, BNOTP, DIY Show Off, Positively Splendid, Home Stories A to Z, House of Hepworths, Shabby Creek Cottage, The 36th Avenue and Savvy Southern Style.
Very cute mantel! I like its simplicity and the casual vibe. Going to tackle mine today. So far, it’s got a big garland on it. Which means I don’t have to do much else!
I was going to try to come up with some sort of island garland … but that didn’t happen.
Love your mantel – shelf!! And I need those stencils (you do have two sets – hint, hint)!
Kelly
Love the sea glass and driftwood Christmas tree in the frame. Nancy Carr
Thanks Nancy … tutorial next week!!
It’s amazing how a pretty ribbon on ornament can make just a difference!
Pinned…
Thanks so much for the pin. The simplest things make me so happy sometime.
Yes, I have a mantle … I’m supposed to decorate it for the holidays?! … **fruitcake** (that’s my alternative holiday saying instead of …) Your mantle / shelf is charming and I love the sea glass Christmas tree art you crafted. Have a great visit / work furlough on the mainland
Robin
‘fruitcake’ … hahahaha I am totally stealing that
I’m swooning over the driftwood and beach glass framed tree! Really, it just doesn’t get any better than that!
Thank YOU … it was so easy … tutorial coming soon. And probably an overload of sea glass projects.
Wonderful!
love it! beachy, too!
that wreath is my favorite part.
I admit there has been swooning over that wreath.
Love the mantel…especially the beach glass…is that pretty easy to find there?
I just discovered a beach that is like the mecca of sea glass … be ready for a plethora of projects.
Love your mantel! Its gorgeous! And I love how it’s seasonal, but still reflects your Caribbean paradise home
Love it! Especially that tree picture made of beach glass!!!
–Katie
Tutorial coming next week for that little tree … so glad you like it!!
Wow Karah, it all looks so wonderful, perfect for the season! I love it.
Debbie
Those stencils are nothing short of AWESOME! And I’m in love with your sea glass tree — brilliant. Safe travels and happy house reno, Karah!
xo Heidi
Karah,
Hope you’re having a fabulous visit in the states! Love the mantel. And that driftwood and sea glass art is perfection! Has me dreaming of walks on a sunny Caribbean beach ….
Perfect mix of rustic and bling. It’s beautiful! Safe travels!
I love your little coastal touches – the driftwood tree (which is something like what I made for our mantel this year), the sea glas, and the sea urchins.
They are my favorite part, too. So glad you like them.
Absolutely LOVE it!! So glad you’ve given me this inspiration, before I started decorating
Love it, love it, love it! I’m totally crushing on your brass stencils… I was falling for JOY in your last post, and now I have to figure out how to be at PEACE without them!
So unique. Love it!
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All of that is exactly the reason why I enjoyed doing christmas a few years back. But being a jewish girl, I’m always looking for new ways to decorate. That snowflake may soon be making an reappearance as “stars” in my house! Can’t wait to make a few with my kids. We like leaving up our Hanukkah decorations for the whole month, too!
Beautiful job!
Thanks Anne!
I think everything looks so lovely! I especially love the stencils!
Kindest regards,
Jennifer
Thank you so much Jennifer! Those stencils have become one of my favorite decorating accessories these days!
Aaah, I just love it. I think the reindeer with the “peace” letters in front is my favorite part. The entire mantle is sweet and charming.If you find a sec this weekend, I would love to have you share at Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time On My Hands.
xxx
Kim
http://too-much-time.com/2012/12/get-schooled-saturday-5-2.html
Thank you so much Kim … I am in love with those old brass stencils myself!! I have been lazy about linking up lately.
Hopefully your holiday season is going great!
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