Decorating a Mantel for St. Patrick's Day :: Get creative with book pages. Check out this sweet vignette with fresh flowers and a Book Page Medallion

 

St. Patrick’s Day.

It’s all about the green….and this saint that seems to have spoken out against slavery, valued women, and influenced Ireland with Christianity.   All good things, wouldn’t you say?

So why not splash a few shamrocks around the house.

Flash some green.

And listen to some toe-tappin’ music.

 

Decorating a Mantel for St. Patrick's Day with a Book Page Medallion and More AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

When it comes to seasonal  home decor,  I’m all about simple and using what you have on hand.

And…because I love all things book page, I decided to use book pages and hand-cut shamrocks in decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day.

This little project was fairly quick to pull off and isn’t the kind of St. Paddy’s Day decor you can pick up at the big blue and gray store. (By the way, whoever came up with that color combo for store decor pretty much cured me of wanting to shop at those stores.)

 

St. Patrick's Day Book Page Medallion

 

I began decorating the mantel by hanging a large medallion I created over the mirror.

It’s fairly simple to do.  The most challenging part for me was keeping the glue off my fingers.

If you can make accordion folds, you can make a medallion.

I created a detailed pleated medallion tutorial here.  It will give you a pretty good idea of how to create a large book page medallion.  The chief difference between it and a ribbon medallion is that you will be attaching book pages together to make that long accordion.  Keep in mind that the technique is the same except you will be creating your ‘ribbon’ by gluing your accordion folded pages together, rather than just gluing and joining the ribbon accordion ends one time.  It’s the most time-consuming part of the project, but goes fairly quickly.

 

Decorating a Mantel for St. Patrick's Day :: Book Page Art :: Dimensional Book with Shamrocks :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I had a little fun covering a couple of books with some green patterned scrapbook paper.  One was just the spine end because the book was creamy and the spine was red.  The other, just a simple temporary green cover for looks.

But…I had even more fun taking an old book and turning sections of paper into the spine to create the look of a Greek column.  A sewn book gathers pages in groups and those are the groups of pages that I turned inward.  I did that for most of the book, leaving about twenty full pages at the beginning and end of the book flat against the books cover.  It sort of framed the “column.”

To complete the look, the book cover was covered with green scrapbook paper.  It was just enough green to set off the book pages.  Then I free cut some shamrocks and used a small dab of glue to secure them to the pages on either side of the column.

 

Spring Tulips :: Decorating a Mantel for St. Patrick's Day :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

The rest of the items in the vignette were things gathered from the house in similar shades of green.

What gives life to the mantel is this ceramic crock filled with fresh tulips.

One of my dear friends, who lives many hours away from me, read on Facebook that I couldn’t wait to see tulips pushing through the ground.  So, she decided to surprise me and had these gorgeous tulips sent to my house.   Aren’t they beautiful?  Such a breath of fresh spring air when there’s still more than a foot of snow still on the ground.

 

Mantel Vignette :: Decorating a Mantel for St. Patrick's Day with Book Pages :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Yes, I could have done more.  I  could have created some banners like I did for the Valentine’s Day mantel or my spring vintage window.

But instead I chose simple and sweet in decorating the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day.

What do you think?  Does it say St. Patrick’s Day without going over the top?

 

Decorating the Mantel for St. Patrick's Day Using Book Pages and Scrapbook Paper :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

What’s your favorite way to decorate for St. Patrick’s Day?

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

Diane

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Comments

  1. Gail says

    St Patrick’s Day without going over the top -a good thong
    PleaseTell us about the camels. What kind of stone? Where did you obtain them?

    • Diane says

      Thanks Gail. 🙂
      The camels came from the middle east and are made of jade.
      Hope your day has been beautiful and your husband is healing and pain free.
      [hugs]

  2. Betty Brown says

    Love the simplicity and clean look.The tulips really take it to the next level.

    • Diane says

      Thanks Betty! I agree…it looked pretty flat until they dropped in. I’m going to miss them when they are spent.
      Hope your day has been extraordinary!

  3. Gwen says

    I have read a children’s book on this saint and his life was not easy and he even went back to Ireland to finish his missionary work there, after being set free from captivity!
    I do like the book medallion a lot. I’ve never been to great at this but I think people use a tool and it helps crease it better. I may try sometime!! I should have saved all those expensive college texts I threw out!!!
    There’s something about fresh tulips. I love them too. I had luck one year but not another. I think out here they have to be chilled first.
    The entire mantle looks eye-catching. 🙂

    • Diane says

      Gwen…there are lots of scoring tools that can be helpful. Even using a bone folder to run across the crease makes it crisper. But, book pages are easier to crease than cardstock so it goes pretty fast regardless. I did learn that my imperfections were not noticeable in the finished product. Always struggling with perfectionism and working toward “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” I can’t tell you how many things in my life have been thrown away because they weren’t perfect….especially old things. I’m so grateful for grace to see the beauty now.

      Yes…the tulips do need to be chilled first. The fridge works.

      Hope your day is filled with extraordinary God moments. [hugs]

  4. I LOVE YOUR BLOG! and these ideas! I just gave you a FB like! Thanks so much for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop…I look forward to reading more!

    • Diane says

      Pam…I am humbled by your warm comments. Thank you!!
      I did see you this morning over on Facebook. I’m delighted that you would stop and join in the fun! You should be seeing me on G+ as I’m following you there now. 😉 I didn’t see you on FB…unless I missed something.
      Hope your day is Extraordinary!!

  5. I love anything with text in the design, so I love your book and page decor. Always looking for new ways to incorporate books/writing into things. Thanks for these ideas.

    • Diane says

      Isn’t it fun to play with books and pages, Gail?
      Thanks for popping by with your kind words of encouragement.
      Hope your weekend is filled with extraordinary moments. 🙂

  6. Phyllis says

    TERRIFIC!

  7. This is literally (pun intended) adorable! Love the pleated wreath and vintage green touches too. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks Alison!! I appreciate the pun!
      It’s always fun partying with you. 🙂
      Blessings!

  8. love the decor thanks for sharing visiting from thirfty things friday

    • Diane says

      Awww..thanks so much Lorraine!! 🙂
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!!

  9. Mel says

    Okay….that’s just…..cute! Simple and definitely not gaudy. Much nicer than what you can pick up that poor colour scheme store…LOL. LOVE the tulips. Ohmygosh, what a precious friend to deliver that loving breath of spring.

    • Diane says

      Awwww….thanks! You know Mel….the timing of those blossoms was just perfect too. I am truly blessed with a dear friend.

  10. Your mantel looks great- love the paper wreath and the way you displayed the book. I like the touches of green you added and the tulips look wonderful- such a nice pop of color!

    • Diane says

      Liz….that’s just the nicest thing to say. Thank you!!!!
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  11. Beautiful! We always wear green and have special meals, but have never decorated for St. Patrick’s, even though my wife is Scotch-Irish. You’ve inspired me to have at least a special tablescape for our special meal. I’m visiting via In the Studio. Blessings! #4

    • Diane says

      I can only imagine how beautiful your tablescape would be Arnoldo!! Enjoy your wonderful meal!
      May your weekend be filled with extraordinary blessings!

  12. That is so pretty! I love it! Often the store bought St. Patrick’s Day decorations are cheesy and cheap. What you did is so beautiful!

    • Diane says

      You are so sweet Rachel. I agree…sometimes tooo much color…and that’s coming from a gal who loves color! LOL
      Thanks for popping by! Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  13. Love the mantle and the Big Fan Style Hanging! Thanks for linking up your co host Maria

    • Diane says

      Maria, you are so kind. 🙂 Thank you so much!!

  14. So clever! Looks so good!

  15. Kim says

    Diane, you have combined tulips (my all time favorite flower) and book pages (my favorite crafty material), so I think this is just glorious…and I’m not even Irish! 😉

    • Diane says

      Haha!! I love it!!! We just might be kindred spirits!! 😉
      Thanks Kim!!!

  16. Such a pretty decor.Colorful and i like those cute little onyx camels.Hope you had a great week.Love sujatha…:):)

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Sujatha!!
      Hope your new week is off to an Extraordinary start!

  17. Cindy says

    So nice and the tulips are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    • Diane says

      You are so sweet Cindy. Thank you for your warm words!

  18. Love all your greens and the mantel looks amazing. Thanks for sharing at TTF!

    • Diane says

      Thank you Linda! It was just enough green for me. 😉
      Blessings!

  19. Your mantle looks awesome! Especially the book page medallion…it’s stunning! I’ve made medallions before, but never this large. I’ll have to try it!
    I saw you sharing at Our Sunday Best Showcase.
    Debbie 🙂

    • Diane says

      Debbie…the large medallion really is just as easy to make as a small one….except having to glue all those pages together. 😉
      Thanks for taking the time to pop by! Hope your week has been extraordinary!!

  20. Diane says

    I love your medallion and book column. Your tulips are the perfect touch. I admit I’m partial to anything green, but your mantel is truly gorgeous!

    • Diane says

      Awwww… you are so sweet Diane!! (Love your name! heehee)
      I think the tulips gave the mantelscape the life it needed. Oh how I wish they were still blooming. 😉
      Blessings!!

  21. Bev says

    Great mantel. Love the tulips!

  22. Kim says

    Diane, your book page creations are my favorite things you create! Always so fresh and original! I’d love to see them all compiled into one post – in case I’ve missed one or two. Also, as a reminder of all the great things you can do with book pages. Your mantel design is beautiful!
    Blessings!
    Kim

    • Diane says

      Haha! You’ll laugh, Kim. I’m always thinking when I start on something…”wonder if I could do this with book pages?”
      My husband actually mentioned to me that I should have all the book page posts together some where. Hmmmmmm….
      Thanks for your sweet remarks about the mantel. 🙂
      Blessings!

  23. This is so pretty Diane. I really love the book page medallion and the book with the pages folded open. You can never go wrong with beautiful tulips either. 🙂

    • Diane says

      Thank you Stacey! Those were fun paper projects. 🙂
      Hope your week has been extraordinary, my friend!

  24. Lovely ideas for St. Pat’s decor – love anything book-ish!

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Donna! What is it about bookish thing that make our hearts go pitter patter?

  25. Jen says

    It’s beautiful! I did a VERY simple bunting but that was all.

  26. Love all your book page ideas especially the wreath….so fun! Please come join us for Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party and share you post with us. Centerpiece Wednesday is live tonight http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/03/centerpiece-wednesday-spring-ideas.html
    Karin

  27. Another adorable mantle Diane. Love the bookpage wreath and column. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a lovely week! ~Deborah

  28. I love your mantle and your decorations. My son-in-law is from Ireland, I am pining to try some of your ideas next year! thanks for sharing on the HomeAcre Hop, hope to see you again tomorrow! – Nancy
    The Home Acre Hop

  29. Your mantel turned out great! Thanx for sharing at THT.

  30. What an incredible idea, love this! And you could do it with all sorts of holidays. Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party. Hope you link up to the party again tomorrow!

    Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.

  31. What a gorgeous mantel Diane. I think it is wonderful and I love the book paper medallion.
    Hugs ~ Kerryanne

  32. Love book page projects. I’ve made this post my Pick of the Week for Lavender Garden Cottage Style Party

  33. Love book page projects. Have made this post my Pick of the Week for Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage

Trackbacks

  1. […]  This year I used book pages to help decorate the mantel for St. Patrick’s Day. If you missed the post, check it out here. […]

  2. […] St. Patrick’s Day Mantel by An Extraordinary Day […]

  3. […] of time, you know how much I love book page projects. Creating everything from Christmas trees to medallion wreaths, to spring-flowering branches with book pages makes my heart […]

  4. […] I know you’ll want to see more of my simple and easy St. Patrick’s Day decor created with found objects, a bit of scrapbook paper, and my favorite… book pages!! It’s all here. […]

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