Step By Step Mantel or Shelf Arrangement

1. A plain surface is like a blank canvas...







2. You can start by covering it with a layer of white. In this case it is a white lace runner.


3. To that, place a line of bright flowers. This is a latex garland, painted with glitter.

A close up of the "frosted" garland.

4. Then put something bright in the center. This is an electric candle set, and the cord is hidden.

5. Balance the sides with other items, leaving the tallest piece in the middle.

6. Then put in fillers, which are small objects to fill in the spaces and give the arrangement a lush look of fullness. Here is added a tea cup, another candle, and some hand crafted dolls.

7. For a different look, find something you already have, such as a woolen scarf, for a winter look. Add other things for a bright look.

If you enjoy other blogs that glorify the home and family, here are some I've grown to appreciate: http://fadedrosecottage.blogspot.com/ - love her music and soothing decorating and craft ideas.
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/ - this lady has the sweetest hand crafts, including the old fashioned yo-yo's that our grandmothers used to make entire quilts of.
http://www.plainoldkristi.blogspot.com/ - this mother is not as plain as she thinks she is, and her posts from her home life are wonderful...I can almost taste the hot bread!
http://adaughterathome.blogspot.com/ --this one is encouraging for the many daughters who lovingly attend to the home and family and who want to honor their parents by being the best they can be at home.
http://farmhomelife.blogspot.com/ - I like the fact this lady has menus and is careful with the family income!
http://www.xanga.com/MrsCatherine -- Catherine and Blaine are always an inspiration to me and I enjoy the music on her homemaking blog. She shows women how they can come home and develop a career of home living.
http://www.noblewomanhood.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=14&limit=9&limitstart=27 -- I like this woman's idea of decorating with scriptures! Indeed the Israelites were taught to "write them over the door posts," something we could all learn from.
http://www.stay-at-home-daughters.blogspot.com/ -- another wonderful stay-at-home daughter whose family is blessed by all her talents.
http://gracioushospitality.blogspot.com/search/label/tea%20towels?updated-max=2006-05-16T10%3A14%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=20 - everything looks so calm and peaceful--and delicious, on this site; a truly inspiring blog for new homemakers who need to see the possibilities to be had in dedicating their lives to home and family.
http://quietrest.blogspot.com/ - also has more peaceful music and a beautiful Victorian sketch on the opening page, a symbol of another, more peaceful era!
I like this blog for the McGuffey Reader entries you can read online, including one of our favorites, "How to Be Happy" and "Hugh Idle and Mr. Toil." For those who do not know, these are 19th century readers that used to be in the public schools. http://happyheartsathome.blogspot.com/
Check out http://thimblecottage.blogspot.com/ for some wonderful homemaking ideas and inspiration. New homemakers will have no trouble finding friendly kindred spirits on these blogs!
(I don't mean to offend if I left out your blog. I will continue on another post)
Thank you all for the wonderful blogs you do and for opening your homes and sharing with the world things like hospitality, cooking, sewing, decorating, home keeping, homeschooling, and being wives and homemakers.