My Mantel before and after

I decided that my mantel decor needed a little shaking up.  I don't know what prompted it, but once I thought of it, I couldn't rest until it was done.  So after many google images searches, blog browsing and a few Goodwill trips, I am happy!

The before (sorry, I wasn't so good at taking pictures then).

I like the flowers in the center (from our wedding!), but the other decorations weren't colorful.  With white walls and white woodwork, I needed something that would stand out. 

I went shopping in my house and moved some candlesticks from the piano, but it needed more. 

I got a few vases at Goodwill and transformed them with jute (idea from Thrify Decor Chick) Cost : $3 for vases, $1 for jute, $1 for craft glue.

Then I read this post about transforming books and I had to do it! I don't have distress ink, so mine aren't as cute.  I'll probably do that one day, but I was all about keeping costs low.  I didn't have any books to use, so back to goodwill - $5 for 2 books, $2 for scrapbook paper.  I hated paying for books, but it allowed me to shop around for the sizes that I wanted. 

A little more shopping in my house and I found an awesome metal piggy that my sister gave me a few years ago as part of an inside joke.  It was perfect!

The results:

I'm still trying to decide how to arrange the books.

And of course, I'm practicing my photography skills.

The addition of the curtains my mom so graciously sewed for me helps a lot too.

Before:

After

Total cost of make over: $12 ($32 if you count the fabric for the curtains). 

I'm linking up!

Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party!

Second Saturday class

My mom is a fabulous seamstress.  She claims there are people who are better, but she's the best in my book.  Anyway, we've decided to take a class together at a local quilt shop.  You pay $6 for the first month's kit.  The kit contains fabric and instructions for making one block.  If you come to the next class with your block complete, you get the next block for free.  Otherwise you have to pay $6 again for the next block.  It is good motivation to get your work done! My mom helped me A LOT with my first block - helped me cut it, told me exactly what to do each step.  It turned out pretty good, I think.

The next month, she helped me get started on the cutting, but we didn't have time to sew it.  So, I took it home and tried to do it on my own.  I think I did a pretty good job!

Look at how my star points match in the center! I am so proud of myself!!

I can't wait to do the next one!