Blog Parties

Friday, May 25, 2012

Memorial Day Mantel

Can you believe that Summer is almost here?  Hard to believe when today's weather here in SoCal has been more like winter.  Cold and windy.  But it is suppose to get back up to 86 degrees for Memorial Day. 

Doesn't Summer start on Memorial Day?  At least we are start getting in the Summer frame of mind come Memorial Day. 

I wasn't going to have a party this year, but my extended family decided for me that I would.  So I guess I better get my act together and get things ready.  That means throwing together a Memorial Day mantel.

Do I have one ready yet?  Those of you who have been following my blog very long know that I am a procrastinator.  So I don't have anything ready yet.  Hopefully by Monday I will.

But until then, I thought you might enjoy seeing last years Memorial Day mantel.  I'm sure this years will probably look almost exactly like it.   I have updated my thoughts, just the pictures are from last year. 



The best part of Patriotic decorating is that it can go from Memorial Day to the 4th of July.   Nothing says Summer to me more than Patriotic decor.

I'm not the greatest fan of Summer. Only because it is simply tooooooo hot.  I don't do hot very well.  Here in the Inland Empire of SoCal it gets upwards of 110 degrees at my house in the Summer.  Luckily we have a pool.    And air conditioning.  Just wish I could afford to run the AC all Summer long.

I'm just thankful that we don't get much humidity here.  I've been to the South and the East in the Summer.  I don't know how all of you can stand it. 


What I do like about Summer is VACATION!!!!! And I am getting my first Summer vacation in a week.  I can hardly wait.   I so need a vacation.  The only bummer is that I am not going anywhere this time.  I'm too poor.   Can you hear those tiny violins?   And gas prices are just too high.  I know they have come down some, but gas is still $4.35 a gallon in my neck of the woods.  Ouch!



I seem to have an obsession for lanterns this past year.  This one came from Ikea. 

I made the fan medallions last year. I just keep changing out the middle part. I picked up the patriotic stickers from Joann's last year as well.  I seem to have misplaced them this year.  Hopefully they will turn up in one of my holiday boxes.  Just not sure which holiday I last used them.  I guess I could look back through my blog to figure it out.  But that is too much work.  And you know how I hate work. 



The vintage white ironstone pitcher was a thrift store find. The flags were from Target's dollar spot last year. I haven't even been to Target in a couple of months.  Can you believe it?  Me neither.

I'm still loving the chicken wire frames that I did last year. You can read all about it here.

The blue lantern I've had for probably 20 years. It normally sits on the window sill in the boys bathroom. It's getting pretty rusty now from years of being in a wet climate.  Speaking of the boys bathroom, I so need to redo it.  Maybe I will get it done while I'm on my staycation.  But don't hold your breath. 

I didn't feel too bad when I skinned the books as I only had to pay 10 cents a piece for them.

Here is another fan medallion that I spruced up with a patriotic sticker.

Since the mantel is in honor of Memorial Day, I thought it appropriate to place this flag case on the mantel.


The flag is my hubby's. It is from his Father's funeral. His dad was a veteran and is buried at Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. It's a beautiful cemetery. And it has a fabulous view of the ocean as well.



When we lived down in San Diego we used to visit the cemetery every Memorial Day to place flowers on his father's grave. I love how the Boy Scouts place flags on each of the graves for Memorial Day.  I really should refold the flag so that the stars are straight, but again, too much work. 

I placed larger flags from Michael's in this thrift store vase.

Here is another of my chicken wire frames. It's great for changing out prints for the different holidays or themes of my mantel.


And another fan medallion with a patriotic sticker.

I printed out this Memorial Day image I found on the Internet. I just googled vintage Memorial Day and clicked on images and wall-la, I found it. Pinned it on with a small clothes pin I found at Walmart in the office supply area. I found even tinier ones in the craft/fabric section.

Last year when I did my mantel I had not heard of Pinterest.  Not even sure if it was around then.  Now you can find lots more Memorial Day images on Pinterest.  

I got this lantern last year from Big Lots. It was $5.00. Such a deal. They also had it in blue. But I knew that I already had a smaller blue lantern to use.

I think having a banner makes the mantel look more complete. But I'm too lazy to design my own. Luckily for me, there are those of you out there that like to and are even willing to share with us that don't. And for FREE! How I love you.

I found this freebie at Cakes likes a party blog.

Plus she even gives you a second one for 4th of July. And it's free as well. A 2fer.

Don't you just love free? And don't you just love this banner?

So there you have my Memorial Day mantel from last year. 

This years mantel will most likely be almost exactly the same.  I may change up a few things.  I'll try to get it down this weekend & post photos.  But since I'm a last minute person, you probably won't get to see any photos until after Memorial Day.

Besides, I have to clean and get ready for my Memorial Day pool party and BBQ.  The down side of having a party.  The upside is that I get to see my grand niece again.  

What are your plans for Memorial Day? 



Linking to:



3 comments:

  1. Hi Kim!

    I did the same thing... used old pictures for my Memorial Day post. Then I made a new blog header to last until the 4th of July. Great minds...

    Anyhoo... I always like to see your mantel pictures. You have the cutest little paper goodies.

    It already hit 107 here in the desert. I have the air on ALL the time, 24-7. I have to keep the house at 78-80 or I am just drenched.

    I hope the weather is nice for the weekend and you have a wonderful BBQ with family and friends!

    xoxo Bunny Jean

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I love your mantel vignette, it looks gorgeous and I love, love, love the way you layer things. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim, I wanted to stop by tonight because I just knew you would have something patriotic to share this weekend. I was not disappointed. The mantel looks fantastic. You have the best decorations.

    ReplyDelete