"O Holy Night" Christmas Mantle

I guess it's about time I finally get some Christmas up on the blog, huh? 
It's been harder & harder lately to get any free time to blog which has made me feel pretty lame lately. 

But here I am!

I was super excited about decorating for Christmas this year since last year was a 'just get up what you can' type of year since we had just moved in!
I had time to actually plan out what I wanted this year. 

I won't keep you in suspense for long, lovelies. 
Here's my simple but pretty Christmas mantle this year: 

I always love having a large centerpiece for most of my mantles and this year was no different. 
I knew right away the shape I wanted but couldn't decide for the life of me what quote or image I wanted to put on it. 

Then I stumbled upon this image on an amazing Instagram page I happened to stumble upon (thanks Pinterest!) and knew it was the perfect lettering for my sign. 

(Image via Louie Dahlquist, on Instagram here) 

I asked his permission to use the design for tracing onto my sign & he graciously said yes!

It was PERFECT. 

The sign was made from reclaimed barn wood from my sister's house- we have a whole stockpile of awesome wood & I'm in heaven :) 

I created the shape onto paper to make a template for hubby to cut it out. 

We left the old barn hinges on the bottom because...how could you not? 

After creating the sign, I gave it a nice coat of a bright red I had on hand, then brushed some black & white paints into it for a more worn & layered look. 

Then I used the hand-lettered design, blew it up & handpainted it onto the sign. 

Gorgeous, right? 

I've had the DIY fabric trees for several years now & they're still holding up great! 

They were perfect for flanking either side of the sign. 

The stockings & garland were all DIY projects from a few years ago now too. 

I still love our simple burlap stockings!! 

One of my favorite simple additions this year was filling a tray that I created from an old cabinet door & scrap wood with heaps of gold & red ornament balls. 

The tray was built for the dining table but was exactly the right length to fill up the coffee table. The gold ornament balls were under $8 for all of them at a local discount store. The gold lantern came from the same discount store for $10. Gotta love simple & cheap :) 

The "Merry Merry" Burlap pillow is a DIY pillow cover I created from a Christmas sack that one of my gifts came wrapped in last year. 

Perfect for lounging fireside. 

Although pictures were few & far between this year, I snapped a couple of the front foyer just to share with you. 

It's the world's hardest place to get a good picture but I just love all the aquas & reds together!!

The red burlap wreath is my most favorite DIY project this Christmas (besides the mantle sign!) and is so easy to do!
I love how full & colorful it is. I added a birch deer head that I bought from our local Holiday House this year. 

I love Christmas decor with all its sparkling lights & pretty colors- snuggling up on the couch with the Christmas lights on & a cup of hot tea is my all-time favorite feeling!

I hope you are having a magical Christmas holiday season!

Details for all the pictures above are found below if you're curious :) 

Merry Christmas friends!

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Item Sources: 

(Living Room) 

O Holy Night Sign: DIY by me, hand lettering design here

Fabric Trees/Wooden Snowflake: DIY by me

Gold Snowflake on stand: Hobby Lobby

Stockings: Kohls, embroidered by me

Garland: DIY

Coffee Table Tray: DIY

Gold Ornament Balls: Target

Lantern: Target

Coffee Table: DIY

(Foyer)

Twas the Night Before Christmas Sign: Holiday House purchase

Fabric Trees: DIY

Wooden Tree: TJ Maxx

Gold Votives: Dollar Store

Aqua Mirror: Thrifted and repainted

Red Burlap Wreath: DIY

Merry & Bright Sign: DIY

Wood Octagon Mirror: Target

Golden Reindeer: Hobby Lobby

Wooden Snowflake/Baby It's Cold Outside Mirror: DIY

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