{Stacked Books} Winter Mantle Design

It's drab and dreary here today...

 been raining nonstop!

Makes me want to crawl in bed with a good book and read all day!

Hmmm...I think I have an idea!

I was staring at my totally blank mantle, and began gathering old books from around the house.

  (yes, I have them scattered all around the house in different places.)

My inspiration was this totally cool Christmas tree made of stacked books with colored lights strung throughout.

 I flipped the book bindings to the back, so the pages would show instead.

The antiquing of the pages vary due to the age of each book, 

which adds to the interest I think.

Now just to find some items to place on top.

The black cross is unique, and to add to the "word" or "book" theme, the Jesus Loves Me plaque works great!

I placed the cute angel alongside.

It's a little like treasure hunting in your own house...

I take something from this room, or that,

and let it live in a different place for awhile.

On the right side of the mantle, I topped the book stacks 

with these rustic crowns.

This old schoolbook has some interesting pictures and pages, 

so I propped it open so you could get a little peek!

Old books are such treasures! 

The "book" theme for this mantle will last me through February.  

I added the heart/bookpage banner for some fun

 as we look ahead to Valentine's day!
(The cute banner is from Nan @ You Could Make That. I won it in a giveaway. Check out her blog by clicking here.)

I guess I could wait til February to hang it, but I kinda like it...

what do you think?

Happy winter reading!

Linking to these fun parties:
WOW us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Between Naps on the Porch
Three Mango Seeds
Cupcakes and Crinoline
It's so very Cheri
Cowgirl Up