It’s been awhile since I posted a DIY, and since much of my decorating involves shifting things around to make them look different, I thought I’d share how I do it with a before and after:

I simply took some pieces from my Thanksgiving mantel…

…a simple twig wreath that I purchased several months ago for less than $5.00.   I jazzed it up with a banner made out of a paper grocery sack and jute, and a cardinal ornament .  The candles are left over from a daughter’s wedding.   I had planned to stencil them with the adhesive stencils that you see, but when I stuck them on the glass, I decided to just leave them on and not even paint them so I could reuse the candles!  The adhesive kind is reusable and work so much better for stenciling on glass or metal.  I did use the same stencil set to paint the “GIVE” banner.
My Christmas mantel followed the same color scheme, (fitting in nicely with Christmas!)

I borrowed the old window from my daughter’s stash.  If you can get your hands on one, these simple window frames can be used  for all kinds of DIY projects.  My daughter generously loaned me one of hers, and I’m not sure she’ll ever get it back!  (Thanks, Sis! ;0)

I pre-printed the letters for NOEL on cardstock and used an exact-o knife to make my own stencil.  After cutting them out, I simply sprayed the letters onto the glass with Christmas Snow, which wipes clean easily with window cleaner!  Using the same wreath, I tied on a Christmas ribbon and changed candle colors.  The cross and candles were already on the Thanksgiving mantle–I just changed them to red and green,  and a deer that had previously been in a bathroom–just found a new place to bed down.

After Christmas I made a few changes for a Winter/Valentine theme:

In this case, I used the same window, cleaned the letters off and added a red wreath from my dining room.   The bird house and “Over the river…” sign were relocated from other places.  I found the white candle holders at our local Ashley Furniture Store for only $2.00 each!  The triple heart at the top has three hooks that I hung the wreath on.  It was $6.00 at Ashley’s.   I could have reused the same candlesticks again, changing to all red candles (and I would have had I not found those white ones so cheap!).  I have always loved red, so the other accents in my living room could stay (pillows, picture frame, etc.)

We have used these same window panes for baby showers and wedding showers in a multitude of ways.  It’s fun to finally use one in my home and I’m already thinking ahead to what I’ll do in the spring…IF she lets me keep it that long! :0)

Though I’m not creative, I get lots of ideas from Pinterest.  (Just click on the link if you want to follow me!)   Sometimes I’m inspired by one simple piece, and in this case it was a window pane full of possibilities.

When I started changing the fireplace mantel to accommodate the seasons,  I was reminded of the changing seasons we enjoy through the windows of our home.  Here in Illinois we have four distinct seasons, so I can look out my window and enjoy the same picture with just a fresh coat of snow, the newness of spring, or the colors of fall.  Life is full of change, and we can embrace and enjoy it if we will just open our eyes to the possibilities that each day brings.