DIY Valentines Swags for Your Mantle
Adding a Softer Touch
I chose to go all-out for Valentines this year...we're talking sudden and dramatic influx of PINK.
I have a lot of white and neutral furnishings so they balance the unexpected infusion of pink quite nicely.
Just don't ask my teenage sons what their opinion is!
(Don't worry, I kept it confined to the main floor for their sake)
I needed something to spruce up my mantle...and remember...I was doing this entirely on the cheap, no trips to the store, just shopping my house and my stash for supplies.
So I came up with two different swags to make...and, I'll be honest...you gotta have some "girly girl" in you to appreciate these :) The bottom swag is made using the technique found here and a roll of crepe paper (birthday streamers). It's the same technique I used on my ruffled crepe paper Christmas trees. I love the ruffles stretched across my mantle!
The second swag took longer to make but is still super easy. I simply tied a length of red yarn across my mantle, leaving a slight bow. Then I cut 3-4" strips of white and pink tulle and double-tied them to my yarn, alternating 2 pink, 2 white, until I got to the other side. It took a couple evenings to finish tying all the knots...but the light and airy look of it is exactly what I was going for. I love the peeks of red yarn showing through. (A tip here is not to try to tie each piece right beside the other...you'll drive yourself crazy. Instead, tie it a little further up on the yarn (don't knot it too tightly), and then slide it down to meet the others. Much more manageable that way)
Finally, I found some monogram cards in my stash...pulled out the letters to spell "LOVE" and hung them using old fashioned clothespins with a heart-shaped doily in the middle.
Sharing with
Feathered Nest Friday
So I came up with two different swags to make...and, I'll be honest...you gotta have some "girly girl" in you to appreciate these :) The bottom swag is made using the technique found here and a roll of crepe paper (birthday streamers). It's the same technique I used on my ruffled crepe paper Christmas trees. I love the ruffles stretched across my mantle!
The second swag took longer to make but is still super easy. I simply tied a length of red yarn across my mantle, leaving a slight bow. Then I cut 3-4" strips of white and pink tulle and double-tied them to my yarn, alternating 2 pink, 2 white, until I got to the other side. It took a couple evenings to finish tying all the knots...but the light and airy look of it is exactly what I was going for. I love the peeks of red yarn showing through. (A tip here is not to try to tie each piece right beside the other...you'll drive yourself crazy. Instead, tie it a little further up on the yarn (don't knot it too tightly), and then slide it down to meet the others. Much more manageable that way)
Finally, I found some monogram cards in my stash...pulled out the letters to spell "LOVE" and hung them using old fashioned clothespins with a heart-shaped doily in the middle.
Simple, inexpensive...different...and totally charming :)
Do you think the guys in your family could live with such a girly vignette??
Did you miss the tutorial for the mini pallet I made using wood shims (with the big red heart painted on it)? You can find it right here. I'll also be sharing the super easy garlands for my burlap and drop cloth trees very soon!
Thanks friends, for taking time to stop in :) I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you!
Sharing with
Feathered Nest Friday
Cindy, is that lace behind the window. How did you do that I missed it if you posted it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's an old lace curtain that I wasn't using. I cut a portion of it and 'stapled gunned' it to the inside of the window frame. I haven't posted about it so you didn't miss it :) Thanks for noticing!! Have a sweet day!
DeleteI've got some girly-girl in me, so I love it. My boys? Probably not so much!
ReplyDelete