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

2014 Fall Mantel

2014 Fall Mantel

Hello friends.

This year I shopped the house to decorate.

Keeping it simple. Keeping it neutral. Keeping it thrifty. 

We have an abundance of feathers. We raise all kinds of birds. You can see more about that over at Junk Chic Cottage. I was in the spotlight last year if any of my new followers would like to pop over and read. If you don't know Kris already, you should definitely go visit her. She has some serious skills!

I made this chicken wire cloche and never got around to posting it. 

Blood was shed.... not an easy project.

This birdhouse was out on the back porch and it was brown like the roof. I painted it white so it would stand out against the dark brick. I picked the Marigolds from the yard. 

This photo says fall to me.

I made a banner from outdoor burlap, wheat, leaves, and feathers. 

The white feathers are from our Mute Swans.

Cotton on the roadside... cotton in the ditch... we all picked cotton but we never got rich... 

I really like the softness of the banner against the mirror. 

I robbed my potpourri stash for the nuts and cones etc. I picked the leaves from our Crepe Myrtle trees. Slowly but surely they're turning.

So what do you think? Does this say fall to you? Don't you think the feathers make it fun?

I hope you were inspired.

Thank you so much for stopping by Thrift My House!

*Sharing with these parties.*

Wow Us Wednesdays

Inspire Me Tuesday

Thrifty Life Thursday

Tuesdays With a Twist

Simple and Sweet Fridays
Tuesdays at our Home

2014 Summer Mantel and a Guest Post

I am so excited to be guest posting over at Silo Hill Farm!
 For those of you who don't know Danni, she is very funny, creative and makes the most amazing projects. Not to mention, she is so nice!

 Today I'll be sharing with her readers how I made this Beach House Sign. Hop on over to her blog to see how I made it.

But, while you're here, I'll show you where I used the sign. 
It inspired me to create a Beach Themed Mantel this year.

 Nothing complicated... mostly thrift store items, ... and neutral colors.

My husband stopped by a field nearby and picked this rye for me.
Isn't it pretty. I love the color and texture this adds.

These succulents belong to my daughter, Katie. We usually keep these on the back porch. I'll probably replace them with some faux ones from Michael's. They love hot and humid conditions and hopefully that WON'T be the case in my living room. Ha!

I knew I wanted a banner but didn't have time to make one so I clipped seashells to twine. Done.

My very simple 2014 Summer Mantel.

Thank you so much for stopping by Thrift My House.
Don't forget to visit Danni over at Silo Hill Farm!