The New Old Mantel

Do you remember months ago when I said that I had mantel issues?

Well, I never stopped thinking about it I just stopped trying to do something about it.  I decided that I needed to just be open to what came to me and see if it would come together. 

So for many months my mantel looked pretty shameful. 

And then it looked like this....which for some....may look pretty good...not so much for me.

But over the last month or so I have started to put some stuff together and though I know that it is not finished I feel like I don't hate it anymore.

I feel like it was like one of my inspiration pictures...

That layered look.  I kept the same mirror that I have always had there and then just slowly and surely I started to accumulate things to lean up there.

I drew this letter H from a vintage letter that I found on a website that I found on Pinterest.  I for the life of me cannot find that website again...which really bums me out because I really liked it.  Anyway, I just printed out the image and then hand drew it with a Sharpie onto a canvas that I had lying around.  Totally free and I love it!

The large canvas in the back is actually an old canvas that I have had that I just primed and then painted with some craft paint...I really love how it turned out too.  Now that black frame I got on sale at TJ Maxx back in January.  But Boo, when I took it out in June it totally fell apart.  I had to glue it all back together.  That picture of a very large and very pregnant me is not so good.  It was just the only black and white picture that I had on hand that would fit in the frame...I kind of hate it up on the mantel so I will be replacing it soon!

On the other side of the mantel I just want you guys to notice the AMAZING framed Japanese Woodblock print that I scored at the Goodwill for an amazing $9.99.  As if you couldn't already tell that it was fate or serendipity the mat on the print perfectly compliments the light green that I have going on in the rest of the house.  Yeah it was totally meant to be!

Behind the print is a frame that I have had lying around for years.  The frame was empty so I simply got a piece of foam board and transcribed Bible verses translated into French.  I don't really love how it turned out so I will probably be changing that too...as soon as I get a better idea.

Finally, no mantel reveal would be complete without me showing you the plant that I have already killed.  Yeah it really doesn't take me long, now  we are just waiting for the next victim perfect indoor plant.

So what do you think?  Have you been messing with your mantel lately?  Killed any plants recently?  Got any tips or explanation as to why I cannot keep anything alive?  Doesn't look good for my kids!  HaHa!

Sunny

I am linking up to Laylas Summer Mantel Party over at the The Lettered Cottage.