Hearth and Home

The mantel is the focal point of our home. It is one of the first things you see when you walk through our front door. It creates a sense of balance, brings quiet ambiance and peace into our living space. Our mantel is always in a state of flux - changing with the seasons. Some things are permanent additions to it, such as the lovely tiger wood Amish made clock we picked up a few years ago while on a trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, or the candle holders that I inherited from my mother. Other things change regularly, like the framed artwork of a cornucopia I drew years ago in high school:



This week we used some of the beeswax dipped leaves I blooged about here and strung them up using natural colored raffia. I blatantly stole the idea from a fellow blogging mama, Hillary. The results are better than I was expecting. I had been trying for weeks to figure out how to use these leaves - even in this manner, but just couldn't seem to wrap my brain around the simplicity of the project.




The paper star lanterns are some that my son and I made together last winter. He water colored the paper and I did the folding:


The gorgeous roses were given to me on my birthday, well over a week ago. I love how they've opened and continue to cheer our home. You can see behind them that I had not yet switched out the mantle place artwork when I took this picture.


And last night I completed my first project with my brand new wool roving. A darling little mushroom jingle ball. I actually plan on making more of these just because I think they are so adorable.

I love to fill our mantel with meaningful items. It helps focus and center me. What are some of the things on your mantel?

Yours in quiet tranquility,

Simple Mama