Kitchen Trends To Watch In 2015

Giveway Time!

Dropping in this morning with some giveaway news! I've teamed up with one of my favorite bloggers, Jen from <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/text/" target="_blank">IHeart Organizing</a>, to bring you an exclusive <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" target="_blank">Jenna Sue Design</a> Giveaway for $50 shop credit. Just in time for Christmas! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9L1SW5QljU/ULz29gtk-lI/AAAAAAAAQEs/oygnbeaNNa4/s1600/header.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/items-iheart-holiday-giveaway.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdvdHcM9K3-s3pvRtFZ-1klwS6fjNh6bufBL1g-EGDcrh1PoxXkZ0MOI7Qyd2GIxjq9Iqt_elMk_M3o6jkUjxyURK5JhaBhXIDWUa37pRM2ZqAN0FLoYAK7TG-QxsPJJgiu6Mu8U90jH7/s1600/HolidayGiveawayButtonBorder550.png" /></a></div> Details and entry form over at her <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/items-iheart-holiday-giveaway.html" target="_blank">blog</a>. Good luck! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9L1SW5QljU/ULz29gtk-lI/AAAAAAAAQEs/oygnbeaNNa4/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>

Giveway Time!

Dropping in this morning with some giveaway news! I've teamed up with one of my favorite bloggers, Jen from IHeart Organizing , to bring...

6:57 AM

Family Room Updates!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbwkD3ydxgetriHb3bJ_P6aoJtuNawh3S2yq49zgCKiqDb8sfUMlxTl68d8f1FQW5FkQkKdksGzLJRuUvDoWp8-ugdnEJsYciq8OUhGX_J-G9DWR2dPiwxzaqDvemRbCHgmbPFRYlgXU/s1600-h/image_thumb61%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb61" border="0" height="684" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--vUPzDo5g5E/UL0SR94smJI/AAAAAAABocc/NL6nrcQ4B5U/image_thumb61_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb61" width="1028"></a> Whenever I show pictures of my family room, I always get the same two comments. The first is – why is that chair blocking the fireplace? You should move it!! Yeah, I know…it just doesn’t really fit. So, whenever I took pictures of the room, I would try to hide to hide the fact that it was in front of the fireplace. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtoqMJ3X7eNs-6Ec_QHfiCyh2-OlH_zQKIUe9rGDED29MDR9d1H81wgDB1-32HHaHBpL2LffcrwMaRI0ksH5eJeJb10lqVQRvIE37Gryo2WPTh5I9KnGdsK9ceE6MH8IOJAKAzHaM6w9W/s1600-h/image_thumb7%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb7" border="0" height="684" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cjqv64bTaUo/UL0SXCoJfNI/AAAAAAABocs/EAU9bWgPtiA/image_thumb7_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb7" width="1028"></a> I would take pictures of the room from a different angle so it didn’t look quite so bad. Also, I would try to push the sofa back a little and the chair too, but, the truth is, the chair is just really too bulky and there is no hiding that fact. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3mztasVO69c/UL0SZnOtSYI/AAAAAAABoc0/HXF59esTq_g/s1600-h/image_thumb11%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb11" border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E1XCzl4icD7rxdKou3mwG4BYJJcIareNnlK1MJNmLq5Iqzxg-7jjy_UOnmksOytqckXpd4dFaHJ_ocS2ehyphenhyphenPFnUI-eeBNl0AJxIrjT9P1rQ8vJpti833BUDmGXyCWu8PX7hh-2qfVmhF/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb11" width="1028"></a> The second comment I always gets it that the room isn’t balanced. The right side of the room feels too light when balanced against the left. It’s not like I don’t KNOW all this!!! I do, believe me! But what to do? Ben didn’t want his TV blocked by furniture. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y2lKggOubTo/UL0Se1lJxHI/AAAAAAABodE/6_E79cFyjQU/s1600-h/image_thumb13%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb13" border="0" height="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSGk_SpDAQ6-m4k49rey0PNA6ftkVONEZTxWM5HvZX8VyEAE_WU5pRtU7H_kqOv79NXBstf1tJcUWL-i6geA1KAf0GvzljtdsOpM9pqykKXp8Kd9gQ_tLIpYYXnEBFUoioDRADV63UtA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb13" width="571"></a> You see, there has been some deception here. Whenever I take pictures of this side of the room, I leave out the flatscreen. I mean, who wants to see that ugly thing, especially since it only plays either football or Fox News. Yeah. I know. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pJykmNpsDq0/UL0SimOcfmI/AAAAAAABodU/3Z26xJg9a3A/s1600-h/image_thumb14%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb14" border="0" height="573" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vh2uGXjWbzM/UL0SktIps1I/AAAAAAABodc/diee-dAVV80/image_thumb14_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb14" width="1028"></a> See? Football. There was so way I could move the furniture around without blocking the TV. It was really starting to drive me crazy, because I am decorator. I need to be able to solve issues like this! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B5mmXaN-EzQ/UL0Smztks5I/AAAAAAABodk/qGXZzk9eyXw/s1600-h/image_thumb17%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb17" border="0" height="687" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-31nEXvtWUk4/UL0SpmzwXYI/AAAAAAABods/M3z7sa6R8-A/image_thumb17_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb17" width="1028"></a> When I remodeled this family room for a client a few months ago, I bought their dining room chairs from <a href="http://hienlamhome.com/FURNITURE.html">Hien Lam</a>. I’ve used those chairs a few times before in dining rooms, and also in family rooms. I liked the height of the chairs and the width – tall and skinny. And they come in many styles, including mouton bone legs which match my sofa and chairs. Lightbulb moment! If I bought two of those chairs, then I could move my wing chairs across the room and solve both issues of the blocked fireplace AND the uneven balance of the furniture. First, though, there was the issue of the flatscreen being blocked. When Raul made the screen doors for my shelves, I had him raise the TV up about a foot. I don’t like high TVs, but even raising it a foot still left it at eye level. Next I chose two dining room chairs from Hien Lam. I went for the ones that were tall and slim (just like me!!) and one that had the curved arch on the back – just like my sofa and chairs. Matchy-matchy! Here are some of their dining room arm chairs: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B8jgbHeTt-w/UL0SqiuR3jI/AAAAAAABod0/G3C9cXTwM7U/s1600-h/image_thumb20%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb20" border="0" height="299" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8w5cvwzC2Wg/UL0Srl0fTFI/AAAAAAABod8/hwDboUemX80/image_thumb20_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb20" width="719"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uJwMkTovbVQ/UL0SsuLTfvI/AAAAAAABoeE/H7plUzHNnyo/s1600-h/image_thumb21%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb21" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cuzUOAOK8pQ/UL0StroLKjI/AAAAAAABoeM/YMrJIYcMbVw/image_thumb21_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb21" width="741"></a> While I liked the mouton bone chair the best, I went for the Country Scroll because of its measurements. The chairs come unstained and Hong will stain them as dark or as light as you want. I asked for the dark brown stain. Then I asked Ben for a loan! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L_vgXUIq17U/UL0Sv9KzWJI/AAAAAAABoeU/m2LK7tEkGCc/s1600-h/image_thumb1%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb1" border="0" height="632" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L7Ly5zxQzuQ/UL0SydbiV9I/AAAAAAABoec/b7wJbI3V24Q/image_thumb1_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb1" width="1028"></a> And here is the change! I added the two tall French dining room armchairs on each side of the sofa. Then, I moved the two wing chairs across from the sofa. I put the wine table between them. And look – you can even see the fireplace!! And you can see my nephew-dog Tucker on the sofa watching me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw3CgxXNwAplus3tzc0UOIopbhvFPutucwSVuTApwbwOO092-ZAIsLRBIwC63F8cry-QARYq6uvExwYJns69HeYVBs9fI53ZUmty_qlJvcYmmS2_LGNiriSuUHexUhNflRGGY3IJ70DA/s1600-h/image_thumb23%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb23" border="0" height="619" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Y6kHLLq_P0/UL0S3dEVdyI/AAAAAAABoes/2RKp_PXCv5o/image_thumb23_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb23" width="1028"></a> Here you can see how the wine table fits under the tv but doesn’t block the view at all. Of course I can’t put much on it! But I did put some books and a tea caddy and a candle. See how much of the fireplace is now exposed by the new chair. It’s so much more in proportion. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sVGlPGNk11M/UL0S6PK0D7I/AAAAAAABoe0/WE2idnj_Txc/s1600-h/image1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image1_thumb" border="0" height="638" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bMKpnv4Kh5s/UL0S816MaJI/AAAAAAABoe8/xB5UaVzvSWw/image1_thumb_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image1_thumb" width="1028"></a> Here’s how it looks from the sofa. See, the TV is still eye level, but it’s high enough that I can put a few things on the table. Not sure why I didn’t fluff those cushions, but… <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hliz3XU4Rvc/UL0S_TYAFxI/AAAAAAABofE/LvfBtR3cb60/s1600-h/image4_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image4_thumb" border="0" height="713" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UNZSvk7HORw/UL0TB1rbznI/AAAAAAABofM/QaDLfMCkH5E/image4_thumb_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image4_thumb" width="1028"></a> Now, I can just hear you!!! You are thinking - how can we see the TV from those chairs. Well, you really can’t BUT if you turn in the chairs a little you can see it good enough. I know it’s not ideal. BUT, one day, when Ben recovers from the new chairs, I can send these chairs to Hong and she can put them on swivels. Of course, then I would have to have slipcovers that go to the floor to cover the swivel and then I would lose the pretty legs on the chairs. It’s never easy. If I had a large family, the chairs would HAVE to be put on swivels asap. But for us – my little family of three – it’s not an issue right now. In fact, Elisabeth sat in that wing chair with the ottoman the entire Thanksgiving break. If she wanted to watch something on TV, she would angle the chair a little. Otherwise, she sat on the sofa or the new chairs. I tended to always sit on the small chairs by the wine table, so now I just use the new chairs – and it’s all good. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7beOso_XPuefg3gTOpUkhFSczGkT2J5y3UrSwDFmQxXqdWtXeSiAOc3HuxfDRGmCp5rHMD7XLOgAOfKz1dCD1lLGlFkn9tDN3KXLF1r-RVClFfSrKcKFd-vqKTP2g1YGPIIYg4MxaVDR/s1600-h/image_thumb6%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb6" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wmcQ6XdYOVk/UL0TGihWbBI/AAAAAAABofc/QJYMFutei_Y/image_thumb6_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb6" width="802"></a> Here’s a close of the chair – you can see the pretty curve on the arms. Your arm actually fits right on the curve at the elbow and it’s quite comfortable. The chairs are also very light – so I can turn it closer to the fire if I want to with no effort at all. And notice the arch on the top – it matches the arches on the sofa and chairs – I love that detail. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XW6CuO3Ux9s/UL0TIjjobmI/AAAAAAABofk/lGSzNssTAxE/s1600-h/image_thumb4%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb4" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TnEPj8W2pQk/UL0TKqR2ucI/AAAAAAABofs/u2SRj35AzBU/image_thumb4_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb4" width="698"></a> Here, you can see how the back is tied all the way down and then there are ballerina ties on the legs. Hien Lam makes the prettiest slipcovers. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yJKtf511uko/UL0TNDlO5TI/AAAAAAABof0/Uaq2IvaWhCE/s1600-h/image131_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image131_thumb" border="0" height="642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gmwoKaNp8MU/UL0TPpPKVxI/AAAAAAABof8/8BBnlzGTdr0/image131_thumb_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image131_thumb" width="1028"></a> So that’s that. You spoke and I listened. In fact when I was telling Ben about the changes that were coming, I used you for the excuse. “Every time I show our family room, everyone comments on that chair blocking the fireplace – and how unbalanced our room looks!” I’m sure he wasn’t even listening to me – all he cared about was that I was going to block his TV. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXLfhz8p2e0YrHjD-QIs2a_Opxca3HgQOAird0Ywf03hu4-rwYbA6g3sGfgS14YQWTra6lodOcuJrDTeSXLhra7K5MZ9YFqP7HTW7M4LtR9pQuSGgGWQVGG-vAeae2EQpa8vCkpFjfFO6/s1600-h/image_thumb2%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image_thumb2" border="0" height="608" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jk9r5p_uDAc/UL0TS7rQT-I/AAAAAAABogM/thcZpPbFA2c/image_thumb2_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image_thumb2" width="545"></a> And here is Elisabeth and her puppy Lucy all snuggly on Thanksgiving break!! Next up, more winners from Aidan Gray and a look at the finished, finally, library!

Family Room Updates!

Whenever I show pictures of my family room, I always get the same two comments. The first is – why is that chair blocking the fireplace? ...

1:02 PM

Easy DIY Christmas Mantel

I'm baaaack! These past few weeks have been pretty crazy. I spent a week back home for Thanksgiving, and <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/" target="_blank">business</a> has been non-stop (can't complain there!). I've also been battling a sore throat/incessant cough for 3 weeks... and that is getting old. Needless to say, there hasn't been much house related activities since the last post. However, I made sure to carve out time to do some Christmas crafting and our mantel was the first order of business. Here was the fall setup: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQwJaOLyFSaxdCcVot0EuYRKoJhyphenhyphenqW02cw2QiVN-OTH-RSjj45LT_dc5VYEUJxSSwTraMwnYP_lLBX2Vhoitm-MsDPPoxGhWQxVowks4ROHQOYXgCSe2m7MEi0zax6Ujb1l4af8YKsaEC/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQwJaOLyFSaxdCcVot0EuYRKoJhyphenhyphenqW02cw2QiVN-OTH-RSjj45LT_dc5VYEUJxSSwTraMwnYP_lLBX2Vhoitm-MsDPPoxGhWQxVowks4ROHQOYXgCSe2m7MEi0zax6Ujb1l4af8YKsaEC/s1600/IMG_9126.jpg" /></a></div> And now, as of yesterday, here is the holiday look: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhIxLM78U5pD68caK_eBzWDdl6b2JvYi_Vs0q8CBOK_wdbDIjKLNhMQoB8pqrSanyqkxE_obV7smN0-qcMKXwBPcNWcIB73XzSrHamEAzZSQcgrp3XGG9g7RoLCuHQ2M0itnGiMvNkEe2/s1600/IMG_9478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhIxLM78U5pD68caK_eBzWDdl6b2JvYi_Vs0q8CBOK_wdbDIjKLNhMQoB8pqrSanyqkxE_obV7smN0-qcMKXwBPcNWcIB73XzSrHamEAzZSQcgrp3XGG9g7RoLCuHQ2M0itnGiMvNkEe2/s1600/IMG_9478.jpg" /></a></div> Everything was DIY'ed/repurposed, so let's go through them all, shall we? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2llKkhVH7GP7XGO-IK70XDtyRsxe7CLnAEzx46_tkgo4mFWQ2Roy2q2ZCEnN2V4PvbdMcRZVMCdKWWe1s3T5f7dtdcFh78Re1w4wdabF33gy2n3PEiWsJXLQDg2iKtFbg4iCJ-8LsTiV/s1600/IMG_9470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2llKkhVH7GP7XGO-IK70XDtyRsxe7CLnAEzx46_tkgo4mFWQ2Roy2q2ZCEnN2V4PvbdMcRZVMCdKWWe1s3T5f7dtdcFh78Re1w4wdabF33gy2n3PEiWsJXLQDg2iKtFbg4iCJ-8LsTiV/s1600/IMG_9470.jpg" /></a></div> I made these cute little snowflake/yarm pom poms as Christmas tree ornaments and decided to add a few smaller ones to the mantel branches. I don't have photos of this process, but it's quite easy. You just need yarn and scissors. There's a bunch of tutorials floating around, I like <a href="http://ottoman.typepad.com/ottoman/2008/12/yarn-pom-poms.html" target="_blank">this</a> one. Next is this wood and fabric peace sign: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdan5sFrP_8C1mEy7HB5P1bA1BZzdpL-J9TDiDHKAgLJAvCjH6qtmZuxJ1Zh3ntfy5vJkP9BuUqIYGciJgIbgnjS4GOtE76IJre7Uykx5YSvZRyMCJ5X9jn6CDG8KaXcKEMJnkgVymTDL/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdan5sFrP_8C1mEy7HB5P1bA1BZzdpL-J9TDiDHKAgLJAvCjH6qtmZuxJ1Zh3ntfy5vJkP9BuUqIYGciJgIbgnjS4GOtE76IJre7Uykx5YSvZRyMCJ5X9jn6CDG8KaXcKEMJnkgVymTDL/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" /></a></div> This shape may look familiar to you: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih_Ndd7jL4hfGZ5V98M2npqUZ2k01z2e5_XW21zuWiouGnqXcvysjSTbPZbJeiUwDVM3UAoVGxYtg-1bj74MaatQhbEgX6DrUrLHHzibRUyE8MjlJDGFfIzdFYgycLYtOehvzIB-8md80/s1600/IMG_9120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiih_Ndd7jL4hfGZ5V98M2npqUZ2k01z2e5_XW21zuWiouGnqXcvysjSTbPZbJeiUwDVM3UAoVGxYtg-1bj74MaatQhbEgX6DrUrLHHzibRUyE8MjlJDGFfIzdFYgycLYtOehvzIB-8md80/s1600/IMG_9120.jpg" /></a></div> Yes, it is the back side of my <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/fall-decorating.html" target="_blank">thankful</a> sign! I knew I wanted another wordy sign for the holiday mantel, and I loved my little wood banner, so I decided I'd flip it and repurpose the backside to say something else. Now I can use it for all my fall/winter holidays... I think it's pretty much the best idea I've ever came up with in life. I love this tutorial because it's easy and cheap and there's so many possibilities. I first bought 1/2 yard of some fun turquoise and beige chevron fabric at Hobby Lobby (came to around $2, and I have plenty extra to use for other projects down the road). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uf2uYjgE6ZXakgEpYFR-Afui-ioiBYjZiwFBakDuLkO3T0b0JF3ROpGvobK8G0JGdHDFCr6eRyQwqHV_nQ-K9AVZNOHJJvjRC7DG2uiinI2El5u_VVo3PrckJXdfSMEEoT8Hq_cEf-V8/s1600/IMG_9450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Uf2uYjgE6ZXakgEpYFR-Afui-ioiBYjZiwFBakDuLkO3T0b0JF3ROpGvobK8G0JGdHDFCr6eRyQwqHV_nQ-K9AVZNOHJJvjRC7DG2uiinI2El5u_VVo3PrckJXdfSMEEoT8Hq_cEf-V8/s1600/IMG_9450.jpg" /></a> I applied a layer of modge podge onto the wood, and smoothed the fabric over it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvvMujEpxPEUtNFd2q6tML1jQ03oG0XxCGMc9Gus2uxzcOkZ4zeBGSQGL3kGqzbwhf0vN1_jI8Wrp01TlphFMfsamK9kv7Y9Bv_8IIU_3XOzyfZXTOJDkw80juyZ7snU_L5u5beh1x_70/s1600/IMG_9451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvvMujEpxPEUtNFd2q6tML1jQ03oG0XxCGMc9Gus2uxzcOkZ4zeBGSQGL3kGqzbwhf0vN1_jI8Wrp01TlphFMfsamK9kv7Y9Bv_8IIU_3XOzyfZXTOJDkw80juyZ7snU_L5u5beh1x_70/s1600/IMG_9451.jpg" /></a></div> After letting it dry/set for a few minutes, I flipped it over and grabbed my Xacto knife. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONO5y9VpykQmZJTVSLfYXnZHcDRgFrGyZjnynoeuPCqNVH4dDFb1PC9GsbDZ6aa4gIERuQhPfiRoaV7CfATI9_XHu1wqXZskUzc_Wx-J-xrElbdOY2H11RsIHTDYq9lizwRgbEYBdely2/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONO5y9VpykQmZJTVSLfYXnZHcDRgFrGyZjnynoeuPCqNVH4dDFb1PC9GsbDZ6aa4gIERuQhPfiRoaV7CfATI9_XHu1wqXZskUzc_Wx-J-xrElbdOY2H11RsIHTDYq9lizwRgbEYBdely2/s1600/IMG_9452.jpg" /></a></div> I've never cut fabric with a knife before so I wasn't sure how well it was going to work, but luckily, it cut like butter. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4BeNmFOw0iFgxB6fMy52EHPAtc6f5eUWw74uBzeKU6YUeEQ7lqbRH52GrOMrX-snEhpZSF6OktKOLjWpISt64FIfIcnwW6QPx8Mm3WBVThnNDh6wJYhhmBHZAtb2SSslMGrjZdUT82hw/s1600/IMG_9454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4BeNmFOw0iFgxB6fMy52EHPAtc6f5eUWw74uBzeKU6YUeEQ7lqbRH52GrOMrX-snEhpZSF6OktKOLjWpISt64FIfIcnwW6QPx8Mm3WBVThnNDh6wJYhhmBHZAtb2SSslMGrjZdUT82hw/s1600/IMG_9454.jpg" /></a></div> All done! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_tWA-3IKk1xPMXVrhUE_WwxUf8sTMS_e0JDPGeNAtmdrP-e0fzDlaEHoyU5xEpahcGIkgv3TfGZPyzTTfeB5dPU3PpI8gObFeHo756S1PbG_YUi1H8liEBdLS9gGvdoEIDePedyaAIZ4/s1600/IMG_9455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_tWA-3IKk1xPMXVrhUE_WwxUf8sTMS_e0JDPGeNAtmdrP-e0fzDlaEHoyU5xEpahcGIkgv3TfGZPyzTTfeB5dPU3PpI8gObFeHo756S1PbG_YUi1H8liEBdLS9gGvdoEIDePedyaAIZ4/s1600/IMG_9455.jpg" /></a></div> For the lettering, I wasn't sold on trying to paint/draw directly on the fabric, and I wanted something a little more dimensional. After no luck finding the right sized wooden letters in the style I wanted, I decided to pick up a sheet of white foam (for 89 cents at HL) and cut it out myself. After measuring the sign, I printed out the word PEACE in the font of my choice (I used Gotham Black) and taped the paper over my foam. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyq_9b8qiXBZdwOGmMgMkOmXIlcTTZRccp7JzWdR3vT3tNO5uslOyOd_9t4RsIUrmxTTyRVsQjBKLcTK4DNfgUswXMwisU7PvXSsy0LTdPysdOjC07jWL_tmC1nEhiL1LvESFtcnInWu8/s1600/IMG_9456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyq_9b8qiXBZdwOGmMgMkOmXIlcTTZRccp7JzWdR3vT3tNO5uslOyOd_9t4RsIUrmxTTyRVsQjBKLcTK4DNfgUswXMwisU7PvXSsy0LTdPysdOjC07jWL_tmC1nEhiL1LvESFtcnInWu8/s1600/IMG_9456.jpg" /></a></div> Then it was just a matter of carefully cutting out each letter: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73MqezJJQzWdwxdf1H4VVrXtUKR1oiSSjWIOWUeieOjuWjQitZzpz5cxn25mvWH8NwQ-szysq34VpvD9_XlPf-gQOTrrHQTlQhk9-4eN_W9yDDmPlxtShEYznY8_O_FtqYDKXbS1UGEt7/s1600/IMG_9457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73MqezJJQzWdwxdf1H4VVrXtUKR1oiSSjWIOWUeieOjuWjQitZzpz5cxn25mvWH8NwQ-szysq34VpvD9_XlPf-gQOTrrHQTlQhk9-4eN_W9yDDmPlxtShEYznY8_O_FtqYDKXbS1UGEt7/s1600/IMG_9457.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Once they were cut, I lined them up on my sign and used painter's tape as my guide so they would be straight: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKC3kDP6q7W9EXgzxIrpmOYHeDs-agSXnGe1r0-P8j4SVLgggxkGDWg22_4K1o_6-l5mZrBXKhw4lsZKxLGtV3QqjMiEUmWVBOpurq5LDUdmGIhNVOvouIuthp8xpcIt60QPkCKCSxu3v/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKC3kDP6q7W9EXgzxIrpmOYHeDs-agSXnGe1r0-P8j4SVLgggxkGDWg22_4K1o_6-l5mZrBXKhw4lsZKxLGtV3QqjMiEUmWVBOpurq5LDUdmGIhNVOvouIuthp8xpcIt60QPkCKCSxu3v/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" /></a></div> Then I applied modge podge to the back with a paintbrush, and voila! $3 Peace sign. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdan5sFrP_8C1mEy7HB5P1bA1BZzdpL-J9TDiDHKAgLJAvCjH6qtmZuxJ1Zh3ntfy5vJkP9BuUqIYGciJgIbgnjS4GOtE76IJre7Uykx5YSvZRyMCJ5X9jn6CDG8KaXcKEMJnkgVymTDL/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdan5sFrP_8C1mEy7HB5P1bA1BZzdpL-J9TDiDHKAgLJAvCjH6qtmZuxJ1Zh3ntfy5vJkP9BuUqIYGciJgIbgnjS4GOtE76IJre7Uykx5YSvZRyMCJ5X9jn6CDG8KaXcKEMJnkgVymTDL/s1600/IMG_9472.jpg" /></a></div> Now for the rest of the mantel... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GBEU4ASl9ISIVHdyyRM8g3J5FmbkSXFVfYLOp2J5KSLY70n76mdvvZNC-zm-ljNtbsVr6xyWfMtLKIAIw8reS4j4p0Mk8FGjdkg02Zd9b5J0-iVgONMXQlR0ZGySkl4t3h2xZr9Y3Ifi/s1600/Mantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GBEU4ASl9ISIVHdyyRM8g3J5FmbkSXFVfYLOp2J5KSLY70n76mdvvZNC-zm-ljNtbsVr6xyWfMtLKIAIw8reS4j4p0Mk8FGjdkg02Zd9b5J0-iVgONMXQlR0ZGySkl4t3h2xZr9Y3Ifi/s1600/Mantel.jpg" /></a></div> First, the trees. After gathering inspiration on Pinterest, I settled on these three designs (there are so many things you can make into a tree... I can make a different one every year for the rest of my life) Unfortunately, I have no photos of the process because a) two of the trees were made during a craft night with friends, and no cameras were present, and b) I had step by step photos of the pinecone tree, but forgot they were on my SD card when I deleted everything by accident.... oops. I'll try to recreate the process in words. For the cone bases, I used large sheets of cardstock weight paper, rolled them into a cone, taped it so it was secure, and cut the bottom so it would sit flat. The paper tree and pinecone tree bases are both made this way. For the paper tree, I used an old book of hymns and cut out a bunch of leaf shapes in varying sizes (small, medium, large). Before applying the leaves, I wrapped the entire cone with the hymn sheets and hot glued them (so you wouldn't see any paper underneath the gaps). Starting from the bottom and the largest leaves, I glued each one individually and worked my way across, alternating each row. Easy peasy. For the felt tree, I can't take the credit. I found it on Pinterest and fell in love. I already had the foam cone so it was perfect. Tutorial <a href="http://papiervalise.typepad.com/scissor_variations/2009/12/diy-felt-shingle-tree.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The pine cone tree was a last minute decision. I had a bag of crushed seashells that I originally wanted to use, but it did not turn out as I had anticipated. For plan B, my friend had a bunch of pine cones she had collected and wasn't using, so she let me cut them up for this project. I first spray painted my paper cone dark brown to camouflage any of the gaps. After carefully trimming each pinecone piece off, I organized them into piles by size (small, medium, large). Then I sat in front of the TV and individually glued each one down in a row, using the larger pieces at the bottom and smaller ones at the top (same process as the leaf tree). One and a half episodes of Chelsea Lately later, and it was good to go. For another Christmas/wintery touch, I placed a 5x7 of my <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/deer-head/" target="_blank">Deer silhouette</a> print with a charcoal gray wood grain into an Ikea frame. PS... if you follow my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jennasuedesign" target="_blank">facebook</a> or are on my mailing list you know this already, but I'm offering $8 off this print (in any size, background and color) until Christmas with the code REINDEER at checkout. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtoEcazZth6YmShOaXzM4q8iPoGVrzvnt7SCKW1jc8shYX30LbNbeNxeOcDqfUEX5k6bCQCW4N9_0na4kaS7PAAwFecWcETFOVbPeQPaGODt6uXTw-28_ehvJ7jjLM8FdekbFvb_3slMg/s1600/ReindeerSpecial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtoEcazZth6YmShOaXzM4q8iPoGVrzvnt7SCKW1jc8shYX30LbNbeNxeOcDqfUEX5k6bCQCW4N9_0na4kaS7PAAwFecWcETFOVbPeQPaGODt6uXTw-28_ehvJ7jjLM8FdekbFvb_3slMg/s1600/ReindeerSpecial.jpg" /></a></div> That would make the print shown above just $5! Christmas score. Finally, we have this new banner that I whipped up yesterday afternoon: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7mwOAw8u2xnAJb_1Nj0mVCslqm8238wHVl_MIQUh16QuiaZYK5HeiLi6CkTzlFs9Ar6l2maz4D567RrTNi0IGONeaK4avNGMxgHCuFhQdzrNPp2wWAK-CY7D_2yGeQQvc5bNrG5r_h8S/s1600/IMG_9471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7mwOAw8u2xnAJb_1Nj0mVCslqm8238wHVl_MIQUh16QuiaZYK5HeiLi6CkTzlFs9Ar6l2maz4D567RrTNi0IGONeaK4avNGMxgHCuFhQdzrNPp2wWAK-CY7D_2yGeQQvc5bNrG5r_h8S/s1600/IMG_9471.jpg" /></a></div> Materials needed for this: -Canvas fabric (1/2 yard is plenty) -Paper (thick is better) -Spray adhesive -Inkjet printer -Xacto knife (or scissors and a steady hand) -Twine, string or rope -Hot glue After deciding on a slogan I wanted to use and picking up my materials, I determined the size I wanted for the flags: 4.25" x  5.5" (half of a letter sized sheet of paper—you'll see why). I found <a href="http://www.polishthestars.com/2010/08/how-to-print-on-fabric.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> on pinterest and was intrigued, because if it worked as well looked like it did, this would open up a whole new world of decorating possibilities. So I found a stiff piece of paper, applied a coating of spray adhesive, and smoothed out my canvas material: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMs1Ees9hU5tzd39pZCSqnnZzn0fj7_DcT-EYlHARul9fWSWcHcsIU6j4sBx4KtU73Qsa6AX5p6hyXOZHNpW1mFTb6sJUD6f5uB0ktoCdLiUHfAY5_vBt93aLaCEovmvOaH_qyT8M9H1c/s1600/IMG_9460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMs1Ees9hU5tzd39pZCSqnnZzn0fj7_DcT-EYlHARul9fWSWcHcsIU6j4sBx4KtU73Qsa6AX5p6hyXOZHNpW1mFTb6sJUD6f5uB0ktoCdLiUHfAY5_vBt93aLaCEovmvOaH_qyT8M9H1c/s640/IMG_9460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> It instantly bonded and didn't need to dry. I then used a ruler and Xacto knife to trim the fabric to the paper size: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseBLczSJTi1hfiU-P8dI5UOzxk9mXy2zr1VO5bEX7ZVOXpWAxk5p7FmB5bAeuuz97kFBh5eoH2UXMoMTl66eFqeV14Vi4pBauDjRN20PAbs5p11MImEG-9rFGYVNDJhGVK-vTtEoSMzOo/s1600/IMG_9461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseBLczSJTi1hfiU-P8dI5UOzxk9mXy2zr1VO5bEX7ZVOXpWAxk5p7FmB5bAeuuz97kFBh5eoH2UXMoMTl66eFqeV14Vi4pBauDjRN20PAbs5p11MImEG-9rFGYVNDJhGVK-vTtEoSMzOo/s1600/IMG_9461.jpg" /></a></div> This worked just as well as my Peace sign. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguUrehYvFThq4fcET-2Xb5HDudf179vqc7b6VBO7f4xw_bapvyUiMSnEA4edJ2x-v6Z7kfUq5uGVhM7rF-onHiXkgxlXpkAafSPZjQfMkagJBWeg9McQ5I0O7r9JOm-sShNB4RU6aAIKh/s1600/IMG_9462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguUrehYvFThq4fcET-2Xb5HDudf179vqc7b6VBO7f4xw_bapvyUiMSnEA4edJ2x-v6Z7kfUq5uGVhM7rF-onHiXkgxlXpkAafSPZjQfMkagJBWeg9McQ5I0O7r9JOm-sShNB4RU6aAIKh/s640/IMG_9462.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The paper I chose ended up being too thick to feed through the printer (it wasn't even really paper, more like extra thick card stock), so I went though the process again using regular thick letter sized paper and it worked like a charm. To simplify things, I designed it so that two flags would fit perfectly onto one sheet. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT586JvA50YTSwwLLYQJI9Rg1WyAngTh6cY-Cm3kDF05iFEycgWWkX5BPi1131tAmsNGPLvBdutyo-cgRv55UIlhjZv7bLMXArsZJSOaZkrS9MPxw6PU3M9hk4gD9gpIW3DOme0tmW4heT/s1600/IMG_9463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT586JvA50YTSwwLLYQJI9Rg1WyAngTh6cY-Cm3kDF05iFEycgWWkX5BPi1131tAmsNGPLvBdutyo-cgRv55UIlhjZv7bLMXArsZJSOaZkrS9MPxw6PU3M9hk4gD9gpIW3DOme0tmW4heT/s1600/IMG_9463.jpg" /></a></div> Then, using a template I had designed, I cut each sheet in half and notched out my little flag shape at the bottom: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt02YMJ8CGO4sC0j_FoLmnQXlOrOHHZSC_qo57oX3vIOhydPRK5194AgK9BQ1ZTY3sACpNv-zJdhji6A6X4_oX7pw8Fwcu3U3x3nFp3Kgu4KaPWsBGeT8q-p1o-GUZjjs2oZ5Y7adHHqg_/s1600/IMG_9464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt02YMJ8CGO4sC0j_FoLmnQXlOrOHHZSC_qo57oX3vIOhydPRK5194AgK9BQ1ZTY3sACpNv-zJdhji6A6X4_oX7pw8Fwcu3U3x3nFp3Kgu4KaPWsBGeT8q-p1o-GUZjjs2oZ5Y7adHHqg_/s1600/IMG_9464.jpg" /></a></div> Once each flag was trimmed, I simply pulled the fabric off the back and it was perfectly free of any glue or residue. Like nothing had even happened. Amazing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U2RZ0xK9d5j_-Ub27qL9e2OtvhxPzELgIVfovlwukpQgCktEuYE6TtN_wTPMglGJYv5pbsmzKvN_8E1-H4mHJNfIaxrJBLePiLuuJtKwrLPevIMFoch-RcSY53skktUmzFQszo5ABlzU/s1600/IMG_9465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U2RZ0xK9d5j_-Ub27qL9e2OtvhxPzELgIVfovlwukpQgCktEuYE6TtN_wTPMglGJYv5pbsmzKvN_8E1-H4mHJNfIaxrJBLePiLuuJtKwrLPevIMFoch-RcSY53skktUmzFQszo5ABlzU/s1600/IMG_9465.jpg" /></a></div> After each flag was completed, I lined them up and spaced them out to fit the mantel. Then I laid my twine across them, folded the top over and secured with hot glue. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1z2ui6sppmYmCT8fvz27vUiUqthYqxi0Je6yw9WCzZcssg-9vfU-CiPcDkI9gWyixrkqIAl4jrZ2GJETUsqHd5v32I9WDEfwI653e6yiQGeAKXhuqgV54SBVv1oSsf4SsbqJ6uPB5E2m/s1600/IMG_9469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1z2ui6sppmYmCT8fvz27vUiUqthYqxi0Je6yw9WCzZcssg-9vfU-CiPcDkI9gWyixrkqIAl4jrZ2GJETUsqHd5v32I9WDEfwI653e6yiQGeAKXhuqgV54SBVv1oSsf4SsbqJ6uPB5E2m/s1600/IMG_9469.jpg" /></a></div> Both the Peace sign and Merry banner were completed over a few hours yesterday afternoon, for under a few bucks each. These are my favorite types of projects! I still have Christmas tree I'm finishing up, so that will be coming next. I didn't forget about the pantry either... I just need to make it through the crazy holiday season before I tackle anything that large :) I'm off to prepare this delicious pumpkin <a href="http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/10/24/its-a-chocolate-pumpkin-pizookie/" target="_blank">dessert</a> for a dinner party tonight. Have a very Merry first week of December.... until next time! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePsDFnnEsdCOFBSHdpQJod4_ZVZzT0legJgp79b48LMFMMKnsj3ERWghdY8xhMgo5_PMovtN0sKzRDatsUWGR6Czo9Wzl9lkTXOuobvqZJKSyWZuKho9iAhfWSu5K6QMi9GfJqoCw7dxS/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div> Linking up to the <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2012/12/09/diy-project-parade-56/" target="_blank">DIY Showoff</a>!

Easy DIY Christmas Mantel

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