Red, white, and green Christmas mantel (gift bag turned into Christmas art!)

It’s a cold, dreary day outside… but inside our home it is merry and bright and oh so cozy!  I am so in love with this view from the kitchen as I am busy baking up Christmas treats today. 

I had a little bit different plan for this year’s Christmas mantel but time and materials didn’t allow it to happen.  But that’s ok, because I think this version turned out just as good if not better. 

I really wanted a big chalkboard sign for the mantel planked on top of of some rustic wood and then the mantel decorated with lots of traditional Christmas colors – reds, greens, whites, and metallics.  But I have to admit that I haven’t really perfected those pretty chalkboards you see everywhere.   So I created some fake chalkboard art for super cheap!

I used a can of Rustoleum gloss Cherry Red spray paint

to spray paint this big yard sale brass frame.

And this big gift bag from Hobby Lobby became my perfectly lettered, fake chalkboard art!    I just cut the front of the bag off to the size to fit in the frame and it was perfect.  And bonus – the front and the back of the bag are the same so I can get TWO pieces of art – maybe one to give as a gift?

And here it is as the focal centerpiece of my Christmas mantel!  This time of the year truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

I just LOVE the colors of Christmas – yes, I love neutrals and have done a no-red, neutral Christmas but I think I will always be partial to red and Christmas together.  Christmas lights and candlelight makes everything beautiful!  (Lantern from Walmart clearance this year.)

The red trees, pinecone tree, white bench, stained crate, white planked board piece, plaid throw, red sweater pillow, and even the greenery garland are all yard sale/thrift store finds.  Yes, I really do find all of this décor over time and at different sales/stores at yard sales and thrift stores! 

The burlap pillow is a Target placemat turned pillow (tutorial here).

Shaped my vintage wood tape measure (yard sale find) into a star after seeing it on a blog someplace to add to the back of this little vignette on the hearth.  

I just love that red frame!  I can see this art piece getting used every year – could easily just replace something on the wall during the Christmas season with this fun Christmas art. 

The glow… it is truly magical.

I will be back with one more post tomorrow to give you one last peek at all my Christmas décor in one post. 

Have you ever used something unconventional to make art?  Like fabric, scrapbook paper, or even a gift bag?  I am definitely going to be checking out some clearance gift bags this year to see if I can find another one to use as art!