Cassie Bustamante

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A Christmas Carol Inspired Mantle, Fireplace Maintenance & A Giveaway

December 15, 2015 by Cassie 52 Comments

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Happy Tuesday!  With just 10 days (10 days!!!!) to go until Christmas, why not change up the decor a little bit, right?  I mean, in blogland sometimes we get up our decorations so early that midway through it’s nice to make some tweaks and alterations, and sometimes inspiration comes when you’ve already decorated.  But who’s to say you can’t change it?

People have asked me before where I draw inspiration from, and I’ve told them it comes from everything I see, hear, touch, smell… I am particularly influenced by nature, and because of my nostalgic wishes, classic literature often plays a part in my decisions.  Look at my children, for instance.  Sawyer was named after Mark Twain’s literary piece, Tom Sawyer, and Emerson was named for poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.  So this year in my Christmas decor, I looked to the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, to help me change my mantle.

Now I know so many of you loved the mantle with the fringe, and believe me, I did, too!  But then I wanted to add fringe to my tree instead, and that left my mantle garland free….. and nekked!  I like to have garlands on my mantle almost year round, so I needed a change.  I headed to my local Ace Hardware in Thurmont to pick up some things, and while I was there I walked the aisles when I came across just the thing… chains!  And better yet, mixed metal chains!  Immediately they brought to mind this quote from Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol:

“I wear the chain I forged in life! I made it link by link and yard by yard! I gartered it on of my own free will and by my own free will, I wore it!”

I had the Ace employee cut me 8 foot sections of a brass chain link as well as a stainless chain link, brought them home, and replaced the fringe with shiny new chains!

Chains as garland on the Mantle

Chains as Garland on Mantle

 

I love that the chains have meaning and are a reminder that we bear the weight of the chains we make ourselves, link by link.  Lighten your burdens, uplift your heart, and remember what Christmas is all about.

Of course, I kept the rest of the mantle mainly the same because disco balls are appropriate any time.

Chains as Garland

Chains as Garland

I never would have thought of chains as garland had I not seem them at the right time at Ace Hardware.  I love how they catch the light.

Chains as Christmas Garland

At night they look pretty magical, too, all a-glitter.

Chains as Garland

Chains as GarlandNow, I should tell you why I was at Ace in the first place when this idea struck.  (You really never know when a notion will pop up, do you?)  You see that fireplace and brass screen above?  Well do you want to see what was lurking behind that brass screen.  This is so embarrassing!  Are you ready?

Soot in FireplaceWould you look at all of that ash? There are even remnants of a log… Yep.  Eew.

So I headed to ace to purchase some new fireplace tools to help me clean this disaster up.  I selected the Panacea 5 piece tool set which had everything we needed to take better care of our fireplace.   While I was there I also noticed the large Panacea fireplace bellows.  Don’t laugh at us, but when our fire dies down, we stick out faces near it and blow… totally safe, right?  Wrong.  Please do not try that at home!  Now with the bellows, we can stay safe and supply our fire with air.  Winning!

Once home, I got to work using my new tools to clean up all the fireplace ash.

I scooped…

IMG_5449I swept… (Oh and do you see that little bit of red?  Yes, thank you, Chris, for tossing foil candy wrappers in there, too.  Seriously, people, this is what I am working with.)

IMG_5450And then I admired my much cleaner, safer fireplace!

IMG_5451I closed up the screen for now as we haven’t yet used the fireplace this season (65 in December in Maryland anyone?)  I placed the new tools and bellows on the heart and admired how pretty they looked with everything.

IMG_9570

 

I placed the bellows in our log holder, right on top of our logs.

IMG_9573

 

 

Now we can all rest easy knowing the fireplace is much cleaner and safer.

IMG_9599

Catcher in the living room

(Well, to be honest, he was resting easy, but then he got neutered yesterday, and now he wears the cone of shame and is pretty upset with us all.  But let’s pretend he’s still in his happy place, ok?)

And now good news for you!  I am giving one of you a $100 Ace Hardware Gift Card!  Just follow the rafflecopter prompts to enter.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Christmas, Living Room, Mantle

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Comments

  1. Gwen says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:28 am

    That’s is so incredibly cool! I would never have thought to use chains like that!

    Reply
  2. kim f says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:53 am

    Always enjoy your blog! Have a wonderful holiday!

    Reply
  3. kim f says

    December 15, 2015 at 6:56 am

    Oops, didn’t finish my post. I get my inspiration from everything around me and I usually don’t change it much once I like it. I’m a creature of habit. Guess I could never be a blogger.

    Reply
  4. Alison S says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:57 am

    I get inspiration online from so many different blogs and also through nature.

    Reply
  5. Lisa Brown says

    December 15, 2015 at 8:20 am

    I get my inspiration for nature, magazines, other people.

    Reply
  6. Sarah says

    December 15, 2015 at 8:29 am

    Very cool inspiration for a look that you don’t see anywhere else!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      thank you! i bet sweet clover would do something like it. 😉

      Reply
  7. Susan Dingman says

    December 15, 2015 at 8:34 am

    I get inspiration from what I see in movies, on TV, magazines and of course blogs. But that inspiration is mixed with what I find at garage sales and flea markets during the spring and summer.

    Reply
  8. Kerry M says

    December 15, 2015 at 8:45 am

    Love this! I get inspiration, like you, from books. And from blogs and Instagram, of course 😉

    Reply
  9. Linda @ It All Started With Paint says

    December 15, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Love the chains as garland idea! So clever!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
  10. Alyson Bird says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:09 am

    I mostly draw inspiration from nature and blogs, honestly, but I love the idea of literary inspired decor. Especially with a message that is so relevant. Love your mantel.

    Reply
  11. Vicki Obenhaus says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Thanks for sharing your thoughtful decorations. I think that memories are my inspiration — I have added to my Grandmother and Mother’s vintage decorations to create several collections that I display every December. It brings back many memories for me and it looks magical! I love your blog!

    Reply
  12. Jessica says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:34 am

    I like to get inspiration from the outdoors!

    Reply
  13. DJ says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:41 am

    I draw inspiration from nature and my fur babies.

    Reply
  14. Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Like you I find inspiration everywhere!!! It’s a good thing I keep my phone handy because it’s where I stash all my ideas when I’m on the run. My best ideas always seem to pop up while I’m driving!

    Reply
  15. Jewel says

    December 15, 2015 at 9:53 am

    Happily, my inspiration comes from reading blogs like yours.

    Reply
  16. Jamie says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:03 am

    Magazines, store displays, blogs, pinterest, everywhere!

    Reply
  17. Wendy Johnson says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:09 am

    your chains are very clever, I like that they have meaning. the doggie should be proud..lol

    Reply
  18. Robin says

    December 15, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I get my inspiration from following fantastic bloggers such as yourself. Love the fashions from silk n burlap.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:44 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  19. Trina LJBaH blog (@LetsBuildaHouse) says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:07 am

    i have to say the little polar bear is my favorite though 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:44 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  20. Meegan says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:14 am

    I love browsing magazines, watching tv shows and blogs like yours of course! They are my favorite place to draw inspiration!

    Reply
  21. Gretchen says

    December 15, 2015 at 11:53 am

    You know I loves me some Dickens inspired holiday decor! 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:43 pm

      i knew you would!

      Reply
  22. Emy says

    December 15, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Awww, poor puppy! I loved when our dog was in the cone of shame. She was hilarious. And so pathetic. She kept smacking into doorways.
    I get my best inspiration when I’m driving. The land is so beautiful and my mind is allowed to wander. My very best ideas have come on 70 between my house and Baltimore/Columbia.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:43 pm

      oh i know! he is out of it now luckily!

      Reply
  23. Vel says

    December 15, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    Love the chains you added to your mantel Cassie!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      thank you, vel!

      Reply
  24. Haley says

    December 15, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    I love this idea and the meaning behind it! I tend to draw my inspiration from nature. Just a quick walk outside and I’m inspired by some color or pattern I find and the fresh air gives me fresh motivation.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      thank you so much, haley!

      Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    December 15, 2015 at 4:48 pm

    It’s so pretty – and I’m happy there are disco balls. Because you are totally right – it’s always a good time for disco balls.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      haha! right?

      Reply
  26. Diane says

    December 15, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    Cute, cute! What a perfect room, so cozy. Love the dog! Hoping you a very Merry Christmas my friend.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      thank you, diane! merry christmas!

      Reply
  27. Cynthia G says

    December 15, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    House magazines and HDTV

    Reply
  28. Erin @ Belated Bloomer says

    December 16, 2015 at 1:38 am

    What a great quote and reminder that we often create our own burdens–and that we have the power to unloose them as well! Love this non-traditional take on holiday decor, Cassie! Your creativity knows no end!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      thank you so much, erin! i was excited to see you are blogging- i had no idea!

      Reply
  29. Krystine www.KrystineEdwards.com/blog says

    December 16, 2015 at 10:26 am

    LOVE this, so fun and different and creative!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:40 pm

      thank you!

      Reply
  30. Amy says

    December 16, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Looks great! That is also my local ACE. Every time I go in there, they are extremely helpful. The Goodwill down the street is also a favorite lunch hour haunt of mine. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 16, 2015 at 6:39 pm

      haha! yes i have been there! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Amanda McCullough says

    December 16, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    So cute – love a little industrial thrown in there. Fireplaces are so cozy too.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 21, 2015 at 7:26 am

      thank you, amanda!

      Reply
  32. Elle says

    December 17, 2015 at 10:40 am

    I draw my inspiration from people’s homes that I visit, bloggers who post amazing ideas and pictures of their homes and HGTV.

    Reply
  33. Julia McIntosh says

    December 17, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    I draw my inspiration from a lot of blog post and Pinterest and decorator books. Love the fireplace!

    Reply
  34. Sydney says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    I love looking through blogs and the This Old House magazine for inspiration!

    Reply
  35. Jessica says

    December 18, 2015 at 1:57 am

    I really like this look on your fireplace and I am not sure if I ever told you this, but that black paint on your fireplace does your space good….it is BEAUTIFUL!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 21, 2015 at 7:22 am

      thank you, jessica!

      Reply
  36. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    December 19, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    I am a huge Dickens fan and this is utterly superb! May this week be Merry and Bright for you!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      December 21, 2015 at 7:16 am

      thank you so much, laura! merry christmas!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Eclectic Christmas Tour Part 1 - Cassie Bustamante says:
    December 6, 2016 at 7:55 am

    […] living and dining room.  I drew a Christmas tree on the chalkboard then hung my gold chains from last year’s mantle as a garland. I added black and gold treat boxes and wrapped treats in gold tissue paper.  (In […]

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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