Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

Handcrafted. Splendidly.

Valentine Mantel

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Adorable Valentine's Day mantel decor at PositivelySplendid.com

 Let’s face it: sometimes decorating your home has to take a backseat to being a mama, driving the carpool, cooking, cleaning, and all of the other standard business of maintaining a household. By planning ahead just a bit to incorporate elements that can transition well from one season to the next, you can streamline your decorating investment without sacrificing your sense of style!
As I packed away my stockings after Christmas, I realized many of the elements from my Christmas mantel display would transition very well into a Valentine motif. Instead of completely reinventing the wheel and starting from scratch for my Valentine mantel, I retained certain elements from my Christmas display (the framed silhouettes, the rolled rosette tree, and the feather boa “swag”) and then put a Valentine stamp on things by adding a handful of other decorative touches, many of which I already had in my stash of seasonal decor items. What a time (and money!) saver! 
The only items I had to purchase to put together this mantel were a heart wreath form and the X and O papier mache letters. That’s it! Everything else was in my creative stash. I love when I am able to do that!

 
In case you missed it, I shared the tutorial last year for how I create these silhouette images using Photoshop Elements. I knew the perfect way to really set them off would be to hang a heart wreath at the center of the grouping. I was incredibly inspired by these gorgeous heart wreaths Myra at My Blessed Life shared earlier this month, but because I didn’t have any satin on hand in the color I needed in order to use her technique, I decided to refer back to my tutorial for how to create a simple ruffled wreath using my short-cut ruffling method (no gathering required – such a timesaver!) and scraps of fabric leftover from the Christmas stockings I made last month.
 
 
Guess what I used as a hanger on the back of this gem? You guessed it: a pop tab, a trick I shared yesterday in my 12 Why-Didn’t-I-Think-of-That? tips!
 
By removing the green bow from my rolled rosette topiary tree and replacing it with a turquoise one, the tree instantly became Valentine-worthy. I replaced the silver candle holder I used to elevate the tree in my Christmas mantel display with a clear glass holder to lighten things up a bit.
 
These little felt bird sachets were some that I created for a bird-themed baby shower I hosted a couple of years go. I thought their little heart wings made them a perfect addition to this display! The felt heart box is a gift Matt and I received from a sweet friend at our Valentine engagement party eons ago.
 
For my quilted X and O letters, I used the same basic technique from my quilted chevron monogram tutorial, with a few modifications. I’ll be sharing a full tutorial for exactly how I created this version soon, so stay tuned!
 
 
 A few weeks ago while clicking through Pinterest, I came across this tutorial for how to create this super-easy felt heart garland from Betz White. From start to finish, this project took me a half hour, and I absolutely love how it turned out! This would be a terrific project to help older kiddos hone their sewing skills.
 
 
 
I rounded things out with matching red and white plates and three pink and white striped bows. Bright and fun!
 
 
Do you do a Valentine mantel? Remember, even if you don’t have a traditional mantel to work with, you can create a fun display on top of a shelf, hutch, piano, console table, or any other flat surface!
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Linking this to…
Home Stories A to Z
Tidy Mom
Serenity Now
Hoosier Homemade
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Nest of Posies
The Idea Room
Tatertots and Jello
Skip to My Lou
Decor Chick

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Comments

  1. Trish says

    I LOVE the vibrant colors. Red and pink are great, but it’s nice to incorporate others for v-day too.

    I’m working on a spot in my house that I can really go wild with holiday decorating. I’m the kind of person who needs that stuff contained, so it’ll be nice when I have one dedicated spot for all things festive 🙂

  13. Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants says

    The other day I saw a blogger who is going to have or has had a link party for you to tell who your blog crush is. I can’t remember who was doing it so I can’t join in, but you were totally going to be mine. I love everything you do and your beautiful pictures and great tutorials! This mantel totally explains why I think your blog is fantastic, just love it!

  16. Shan says

    This is pretty incredible! Yep! So glad I had the opportunity to witness such greatness. Yes, I’m serious. 😉 Way to go!

  19. twolivecolorfully says

    How gorgeous! I’m loving all of the non-traditional valentine’s colors going on around the blog-o-sphere. I came over from the A2Z link party!

    I’m also loving, using what you’ve got. I did my whole valentine’s mantle for the cost of one bag of pink and red m&m’s!

  21. Gallamore West says

    Beautiful! I love how bright and cheery and non-traditional Valentine’s Day colors it is, but still totally looks like Valentine’s Day. LOVE it! And those silhouettes are precious!
    xo,
    Laurie @ Gallamore West 🙂

  23. Samantha says

    You rocked this! What a happy mantle!
    Visiting from Serenity Now. I didn’t do my mantle, but I did make some fun things. Come check them out!

    🙂 Samantha
    craftytexasgirls.com