Our "Give Thanks" Mantel & The Thankful Garland...

This year's Thanksgiving mantel is all about Giving Thanks. Spelled out in fun, pretty, white letters it is a constant reminder to be mindful of all that we have...

I made the sign out of leftover cedar planks that I used to make our friends' wedding sign back in July. Four planks, a little wood glue, two strips of wood for the back of the sign, and two nails for each plank was all it took. Then I used hemp rope and punch-out cardboard letters that I then spray painted Heirloom White...

Since the letters are only attached to the rope, it leaves me free to change out the sign to say whatever I please. And I like having the option to change my mind!

:)

On the mantel I tried to stay as close to nature as possible - both real and faux.

Real moss, faux acorns, real Indian Corn, faux moss balls, real wheat and pumpkins. It all works together to create a natural mantel scape...

The real moss is a bit messy, but I absolutely love it! It is the exact color of green that I was looking for and it is so pretty and delicate...

While browsing for inspiration, I found a beautifully decorated mantle and hearth that had a chest sitting in front of it. I loved how it brought the whole theme together and kept the mantle from feeling like it was floating. Since our fireplace sticks out so far from the wall and does not have a raised hearth, it sometimes feels like the decor is floating at eye level.

Coincidentally, I still have this ochre colored chest that was left here by the previous owners. I love the color this time of year and it was the perfect width to hold a couple of medium sized pumpkins, a bundle of birch logs and some Indian corn...

But my absolute favorite part of this year's mantel is the Thankful Garland.

I saw Melissa post about it and I was instantly hooked! The idea belongs to Jen from Tatertos and Jello. You can see her Thankful Garland and her How-To, here.

Just like Jen, I used grapevine garland. It was about $12 at JoAnne's Etc and it comes rolled up like a wreath. I'm not going to fool you and say it was a breeze to put up. It was NOT! There were a few times that I was ready to give up because wrestling with it just seemed pointless. It was wound pretty tightly and did not want to stretch out at all, so if I hadn't had Owen here to help me, I would probably still be fighting with it! But don't give up. Trust me, eventually...you will win!

To make the leaves, I used two different leaf stencils and some Autumn inspired scrapbooking paper that I also got at JoAnne's. It was half off, so I got the whole big book of different paper patterns for just $9.oo.

Tracing, then cutting out all of the leaves was tedious, but it was definitely worth it...

And it has been fun taking turns writing down what we are Thankful for.

I tied the leaves on by using a hole punch near the stem and then using a small length of the same hemp rope that I used on the sign. Nothing fussy or fancy. Just a simple knot at the top lets the leaves hang loose and sway when someone walks by...

I have to say, this is my favorite mantel yet!

Probably because my family was involved in making it come to life. And what could be better than a pretty focal point that is also interactive. We can add leaves to our Thankful Garland all month long...

Thanksgiving is fast approaching.

Are you ready?




P.S. I am linking this to:
Funky Junk Interiors, Today's Creative Blog, Between Naps On The Porch, It's So Very Cheri, The Girl Creative, Skip To My Lou, Tools Are For Women Too, The Trendy Treehouse, The Thrifty Home, My Backyard Eden, Blue Cricket Design, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Beyond The Picket Fence, Somewhat Simple, Life As Lori, House of Hepworths, Just A Girl, Remodelaholic, Finding Fabulous, The Shabby Nest, Simply Sweet Home, Tatertots and Jello, I Am Only 1 Woman, It's A Hodgepodge Life, Fingerprints On The Fridge, Be Different...Act Normal,