My Christmas Mantle!

I think I am still digesting my Thanksgiving Dinner and recovering from my Black Friday shopping trip.  I vow no more Black Fridays for this gal, just too stressful.  I will stay home and shop online and wait until the crowds die down a bit.   The Christmas Decorating has begun and I usually start outside and then onto the mantle.  I needed an inspirational pic and I found it with the December issue of Midwest Living!  Now my Mantle isn't a copy but it's an inspirational pic, to get me in the mood!   But first, I will share with you my Autumn mantle as kind of the before:  I've had it up since the first part of September and I was itching for a change!

Christmas Mantle 2009 @
Applestone Cottage

I wanted to use lot's of splashes of red, similar to the Midwest Living Cover.

I wrapped my pine cone wreath which was a gift from my daughter a couple of Christmas's ago in red velvet ribbon with the white trim.  The little boy angel was a recent find, only 4.95 marked down from $30.00.  It's heavy too and I love the old fashioned look!~

I took my lantern that I had purchased on clearance from Wally World and cleaned it up, added a white candle, some ribbon and I have a whole new look!  The lantern had been marked down to $8 and we used it all summer outside on our patio.

The clock was a Christmas gift from my brother Tim many years ago and I always think it deserve's a place on our mantle.  He built this beautiful clock and little Christmas mouse always finds a home above. 

Santa finds a spot in front our fireplace screen.  He was an after Christmas purchase last year and quite cheap.  Home Goods I believe.  I love our screen, I found it on E-Bay and I think it was about $50.00 which I thought was quite reasonable.  It's very heavy, made of cast iron. 

The Mercury Glass candle holder was a recent purchase from TJ Maxx.  I think it was about $6.00 and has a soft bronze glow to it.  I  used extra ribbon as a trim for the candle.

My wire cloche was set on a plate I had decoupaged in red and white check.   I filled it with one of my vintage ornaments (homemade), a santa and berries, green's and pinecones.

I used my pinecone wreath from my Autumn Mantle as trim around this basket.

A closer view of this little angel.

I found this little swag of mittens and stockings at last year's after Christmas sales.

Another View.

A Mosaic for my Mantle, oh yah!

And a little farewell from the cutest baby of all!  Ok, I know I'm prejudice but isn't my niece Chloe pictured with my niece Noel and nephew Ben about the cutest thing!  We all fought over her at Thanksgiving!  The poor baby, she was passed around more than the turkey and pumpkin pies!

I am joining the following blog parties:
Met. Monday @  Between Naps on the Porch
 Mosaic Monday @  Little Red House. 
Deck the Halls on Tuesday @Thoughts from over the Rainbow
How are you all coming with the Christmas decorating!  It's a job isn't it!  Now on to the tree!!  Cindy