Monday, January 5, 2015

My 2015 Simple Winter Mantel


And how to make a pinwheel garland with phone book paper.
I've had this pinwheel garland for over 2 years and I still love it. 

To make this garland, you will need phone book paper, scotch tape, decorative fabrics or paper, buttons, and some twine.

First, you will make 3 folds, then you will fold the paper back and forth accordion style. Put scotch tape on the end to hold it. You will need to make 4 of them. I taped the 4 of them together on the back.
( I decided to make them where the ends of the pinwheels were plain, you'll have to play around with the paper to figure out the pattern you want your pinwheel to have.) 
 I added some simple embellishments.

    After all the Christmas reds and whites, I was ready for some neutral colors. Most of what I used here came from a thrift store.

The mantel seems much easier to decorate since I painted it white.

Have you been struggling with decorating after Christmas?
Keeping it simple worked for me.
I hope you were inspired!
Thank you for stopping by Thrift My House.
Linking with:
Roses of Inspiration

36 comments:

  1. I think it looks great! I think I'll make some pinwheel garlands for the booth, which is sad-looking right now. (I'm keeping the snowy village on my mantle until I get sick of it. Or until I get motivated. Whichever comes first.)

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  2. I'm a new follower. I have a white mantel and lots of vintage books, but I hadn't thought of putting any books on display like you did. I've been using them as perches for other items. I also will use your idea from Dec. of candy canes in the white vases. Mine were used for daffodils in the spring. I'm looking forward to your future posts.

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  3. Your whole fireplace area looks great. I really like the trunk parked in there. :)

    The pinwheels are so cute!

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  4. I am in love with your mantel, Sherry! Books are always a good thing :) And your garland is so pretty! I love that you used phone book pages - definitely going to remember that. Have a wonderful week!

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  5. I love your pinwheel garland. I actually just bought a Tim Holtz diecut for my Sizzix to make them- all the scoring is done for me. I bought some pretty paper, but I think I am going to copy your idea. I don't have any old phone books, but I might try it with newspaper.

    Thanks for the inspiration.

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  6. Love it Sherry! I do see a similarity in our decor today...:) I love vintage books...well, I love any and all books! Your garland is so pretty! I might try that with dictionary pages. I have an old dictionary...a few actually, that I use for projects such as this. The pages are super thin like phone book pages. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great week...:)

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  7. Clever you -- love this idea and cheap -- this adds a splash of pretty -- going to try it out. I've been inspired - thamks..
    Hugs

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  8. Your newly white painted mantel is looking fabulous. I hadn't thought of using phone book paper for crafts, how clever!! I've been reading a lot this winter for relaxation and your collection of books says it all for a winter mantel. Pinning your cute pinwheel banner!!

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  9. Hi Sherry, love your winter mantel. The garland is such a great added touch. I love to decorate with books too. Especially vintage books. You always inspire. Happy New Year sweet friend.
    Hugs

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  10. Very nice!
    Your mantle looks great.

    M : )


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  11. Oh Sherry! This is so pretty! Just love it. You are giving me 'mantle envy'! We have never owned a house with a fireplace...so no mantle. Wood stoves have always been in our homes, but they are not usually decorative, more functional. Except for my Pioneer Maid Cookstove. It is my 'baby'! Hmmm....now you've got me thinking about making a garland for it like this. It could hang infront of the warning oven. I let you know how it turns out! Hugs!-Sue at the Little Shack

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  12. You already know I love these! LOL! Your pinwheels (or medallions) are the first ones I ever tried! I think I'll make some more for Valentines Day!

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  13. What a cute idea. I love how easy it looks to make.

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  14. It looks so pretty... and good use of recycling! :) mari

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  15. Well isn't that just beautiful! I stand amazed at the creativity some of you dear ladies have and share.

    I came over to say hello from my dear Stephanie's link up party, so nice to meet you!

    Have a blessed day.
    Joy to you! Debbie

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  16. Very nice craft!
    Greetings from Italy!
    Hugs,
    Roberta
    La Sportina - ideeroberta.blogspot.it

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  17. Love your garland and your beautiful mantel display!!!

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  18. I like those pinwheels... Think I threw away the last phone books... will rethink that next time, IF there is one! Happy 2015!

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  19. So cute Sherry! Oh to have a mantel to decorate. Happy New Year!

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  20. These are brilliant! I'll have a go at these at the weekend as I have some old books which I was going to recycle. Thanks for sharing xx

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  21. Hi! So glad to find your blog thru Stephanie's links party! Your garland is wonderful so thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. This is so darling! Love your mantel decorating, too! Visiting from Enchanting Rose. xo Karen

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  23. Very sweet! I just took my red and white JOY garland down so this would be a great replacement. Pinned!

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  24. Sherry, what a darling garland and thank you for the tutorial! I followed your blog & I look forward to getting to reading more!

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  25. What a cute garland! However, I don't have any more phone books. We got rid of them a long time ago since we look up stuff online. That's a great way to recycle them however! Your new winter mantel looks great. I like the books you used too.

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  26. Sherry, I love your pretty winter mantle and the garland is just adorable. Gotta put those phone books to good use these days! All I have done so far is remove my Christmas from my mantel and at the present moment needs something done to it...soon!

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  27. Sherry, love your cute garland! I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Liebster Award! Congratulations! Learn more here:
    http://mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com/2015/01/liebster-award.html#more

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  28. I absolutely love the idea of using phone book pages. Love your winter mantel. I just started to take down our Christmas decor....Traditionally we wait until the 12th day of Christmas to bring everything down. I was wondering what to do on my mantel. Didn't want to do my Valentine's Day Mantel just yet... I love the idea of a winter mantel. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh, and the mirror I told you about in my last comment, well I attached some shutters I found at a thrift store....Great minds, hee, hee, hee. Wishing you a wonderful day.

    Hugs,
    ❤️Ana

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  29. That garland is gorgeous. I would love to make one but I don't think I have the patience!
    Happy New Year!

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  30. So love paper crafts and what a sweet one this is.. Thank you.. Found you through the Enchanted Rose and am a new follower.. God bless..

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  31. Your garland is darling!!!
    Love the way you decorated the mantel for a simple, fresh winter look.
    Have a great weekend!
    Debbie
    xo

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    Replies
    1. I just posted a comment before I was finished writing it, LOL! I found you at Stephanie's party and I am a new follower.
      Linda
      mysewwhatblog

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  32. I love your garland and I am going to make one! I often mix paper with fabric scraps and this is a cute way to use up some of those scraps that I have been collecting.

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  33. I just love that garland Sherry, and it looks so pretty in your mantle vignette. Great recycle project!

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  34. I like your mantel painted white! But it's heaftier than mine so it looks good. Hm...definitely gives me an idea of how mine could look.
    Love your garland too! :)
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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