A Year of Mantels

Dear 2011,

Where in the heck did you go? You went by so quickly. I hardly even knew you were here.

But I know you were here for 12 months. I have the pictures to prove it.

Well, I can prove 11 of the 12 months from my mantel.

Exhibit 1: January

I actually had 2 different mantels in January. First was my New Years Mantel.

And then I did My Winter mantel. This is as close to winter as we get in SoCal. Brrrr! I can feel the cold.

Exhibit 2: February


My mantel full of LOVE. This was the month I was feeling the most "crafty". I had BHG.com contact me about showing my mantel on their website. But the procrastinator in me never responded to their email. So you aint gonna see my mantel there.

When I am ever going to learn not to procrastinate? Maybe in a few years. I have time.

Exhibit 3: March

It's good to be green aka: St Paddy's day mantel. At least I'm pretty sure it was since there is a lot of green.

Exhibit 4: April

Easter mantel. Easter came late in the month this year. I actually had a couple of different versions of this mantel. I had lots of time to keep tweaking it. This was my first attempt at growing wheat grass. It won't be my last.

And yes, there is still a lot of green on this mantel. But the rabbits and the word "Easter" kind of gave it away that it was indeed my Easter mantel and not St Paddy's day mantel.

Exhibit 5: May

My late Spring mantel. I only had this way for a couple of weeks. Since I decided to decorate for Memorial Day.

Hence....

Exhibit 6: Late May, Early June


Memorial Day mantel. The flag in the box belongs to my hubby. It was the flag that was presented to his mom at his dad's funeral. His dad is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Exhibit 7: June through middle of July

Old Glory. My 4th of July mantel. I only had to tweak it slightly from the Memorial Day mantel.

Exhibit 8: The end of July, August & September

Ode to Summer mantel. I was pretty "crafty" with this mantel as well. Love the "Summer" banner that I made with a road map. My rusty mermaid usually sits out by the pool. But she had to be on my Summer mantel.

Exhibit 9: Late September through October

Spooky Halloween Mantel! One of my most favorite holidays. And probably the one I decorated for most this year. I was really in a "Spooky" mood this year.

Exhibit 10:

"Give Thanks" Thanksgiving mantel. Yes, I decorate for Thanksgiving. I usually host Thanksgiving at my house.

And finally Exhibit 11: December

Bottle Brush Christmas mantel. I really wasn't feeling Christmas this year. At least you can't tell from my mantel. I really like how it turned out. And the fake snow globes were fun to make as well. I just didn't get any really great photos of the mantel. I'll have to try & take some more before I take it down this weekend.

So take that, 2011. I just proved you were here for 12 months. If only I had done a "fall" mantel in September. Then I would have had all 12 months. But I loved my "Summer" mantel so much, I couldn't bear to take it down. Plus, September is usually one of the hottest months of the year. So I wasn't feeling the "fall". Only "summer".

I just wish you had taken your time this year. Not be in such a rush. I wanted to enjoy you a little longer.

So now that 2012 is almost here. Can you please tell 2012 to slow down. She needs to stop and smell the roses. Plus, then I won't get old so fast. You know how we woman hate getting old.

Plus it is time to start the cycle all over and put up a "winter" mantel again. Hopefully I'll get some motivation to do it this weekend. But knowing me and my lack of motivation right now. I'll probably just go shopping instead. Or maybe I'll stop and smell the roses and try to turn back time.



P.S. Come back tomorrow & I'll share a years worth of my china hutch. That is, if I don't run out of time.

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