Thursday, March 8, 2012

My Spring Mantel

It's no secret that I'm pretty much obsessed with birds, nests, branches...pretty much anything nature-inspired, so when it came to decorate my mantel for spring, all I needed to do was turn to things I already decorate my house with all year around. 


I have a collection of real bird's nests...thanks to my oldest daughter (she finds them everywhere)!  She's been bringing them to me to put in my window coffee table for the last five years or so, but I pulled them out to be front and center during these spring months...


I don't think any mantel of mine would be complete without my favorite branches from the woods behind my house.  I use them for pretty much any occasion!
I added some "butterflies in flight" by simply cutting butterfly shapes with white tissue paper and vellum and attached with monofilament line.  My two-year old liked this project, but I think she tore more butterflies than she made...
I also had fun making a couple moss frames from some thrift store finds painted in chalk paint and moss table runner from Michael's...
I simply cut foam core board and the moss table runner to fit the frame and attached the sheet of moss with spray adhesive...

I then pinned a couple my nests and quail eggs with straight pins as well as some cute little faux butterflies that I found at The Graphics Fairy.  I printed out a few sheets of the butterflies on vellum paper, which is somewhat translucent, cut them out, bent the wings a bit and pinned them to the board...
I still can't get over that the fact that winter is almost over... It doesn't seem like we've even had one here in North Carolina!  It's been perpetual spring for me for months after living my entire life in a cold, snowy climate.  It's just incredible to be able to paint furniture outside during the winter and not have to wait until mid-May to plant flowers.  Don't hate me, but I planted some flowers last weekend!


Kristen


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41 comments:

Cristina Garay said...

Very pretty mantel! I love the branches with the butterflies on them!

Rasonda @ East Conolly Cottage said...

So pretty!!!! I am obsessed with birds too!!!

Jess Roy said...

You are so creative! Love the butterflies. :)

chateau chic said...

Love your spring mantel. Nests are such fun to use in decorating this time of year. I love that yours are the real deal! Those branches in the green jar bring the vignette all together. I love them!
Mary Alice

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

GORGEOUS Kristen! LOVE LOVE all those nests!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i am in love! i love all the nature inspired touches, too! and the blues and greens!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks very pretty, Kristen! I love those frames with the moss! I generally keep nests and eggs out all year, too. I just love them as a natural element to have in my home.

All Things Chic 2 said...

Love your post , the mirror with the reflection of the twigs is beautiful!!! I invite you to visit my blog as well.Blessings Lori

Erica said...

That is totally gorgeous!

Honey at 2805 said...

Your mantel is splendid, Kristen! Adore the nature inspired touches! Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! Your participation is apppreciated!

Miss Kitty said...

Oh Sophia! That mantle is just so beautiful! So many gorgeous details. You were super creative in getting a supply of butterflies. I live in Alabama and we have hardly had a winter either. I started taking down my winter mantle today to get ready for the Spring blog parties starting next week. You are an inspiration. I saw your post over at "From My Front Porch to Yours".

Anonymous said...

I love the frames with moss in them. It is very unique. Great job!

Benita

Meg said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm your newest follower, I'd love if you followed in return and linked up to my little party: http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/03/showoff-saturday-5.html

Hope to see you there!

At The Picket Fence said...

This is soooooo beautiful Kristen! It looks like something out of a magazine and every single detail is fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing it at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa

Tammy said...

I LOVE all of your nests!!!! What a beautiful collection for your mantle. Just out of curiosity, do you do anything to those nests when she brings them to you? I was always scared of lice or bugs--is that really nothing to be afraid of? I love nests, but never wanted to bring them inside for that reason. I am your newest follower. hope you can visit me sometime :)

Debra@CommonGround said...

ahhh, I hear the birds chirping and feel the warm breeze! this is so pretty, Kristen, you've really captured the essence of Spring!

Miss Charming said...

Beautiful mantel. Such a taste of Spring.

dee dee said...

Such a beautiful and springy mantel! Love it... very inspirational. the tiny butterflies are very dainty... great idea!
dee dee

Hollie Joy In The Morning said...

love twigs:)hollie

Claire @ a little something in the meantime . . . said...

Oh my goodness, this is so gorgeous and unlike any mantel display I have ever seen! I love, love, love your frames and think that I will be picking up some sheet moss ASAP. You have definitely captured the most beautiful elements of spring. I can't wait for it to arrive!

All the best,

Claire @ alittlesomethinginthemeantime.blogspot.com

The Style Sisters said...

Love the moss frame and the twigs and of course all of the nests! This is really a unique and fun idea. Come share it by linking up to my centerpiece Wednesday linky party.

Karin

Pamela said...

LOVE your spring mantle!! Thanx for coming to party at my place. Hope to see ya this week too!:)

Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon Designs said...

This is stunning! love the framed moss and all the butterflies! Would love for you to link up to our Uncommonly Yours link party! Bonnie ;)

Erin of Salvaged Whimsy said...

Beautiful - I love how natural and real it looks. I use to collect abandoned bird nests when I was a little girl...but my mom never displayed mine! haha. I also love using branches, I love the butterfly idea

The Charm of Home said...

Wonderful! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

The old adage, less is more, does not apply to my way of thinking, More is More, is more like it, especially nests, nests and more nests. Just love your vignette.

Elna said...

So lovely pictures with the nests and the butterflies. I'm you newest follower.

Hugs from Sweden
Elna

Katherines Corner said...

Very Pretty! Welcome Spring! Hugs and wishes for a beautiful day. P.S. I hope you will stop by and say hello and enter the latest giveaway too.

reFresh reStyle said...

Your mantel is beautiful! Love all the natural elements!
Debbie

Lettered Cottage said...

Oh my goodness, it's absolutely FABULOUS!!!!!
I am SO inspired, Kristen!!!!!!! :-D

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I too love natural elements - your mantel is my kind of mantel!

Lake Girl Paints said...

So far this is my fave on the link party. Love it!

Teresa said...

I LOVE the moss in the frames, such a good idea!

Kathysue said...

I love your mossy creations!! Great idea, had to pin it on my Spring pinboard, Wonderful,
Kathysue

Katie @ Creatively Living said...

Love this one! Super creative and it just turned out beautifully!

--Katie
@ Creatively Living

Julie said...

Really cute! Love the moss in frames. I'll definitely pin that idea for later :)

Fairfield House said...

What a beautiful tribute to spring! I too, love decorating using natural elements; bringing the outdoors in. I am bookmarking your butterfly tree to use as a centerpiece for my mother's birthday celebration this year -- she adores all things butterfly! We've had a very mild winter in NJ and have been tending to our gardens and farm fields as well.
Happy Spring!
Deborah

Erin Spain said...

Hi Kristen,

Just wanted to let you know that I love your mantel so much I featured it on my blog today!

-Erin Spain
DIYOntheCheap.com

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Jaimee @ Havenwood House of Boys said...

This is SO beautiful! Your collection is impressive girl! I'm sharing this in a 5 for Friday Spring Mantel Roundup on my blog today, including one pic and a link back to this post : )

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