On my mantle - November - the-gingerbread-house.co.uk

I’ve gone all minimalist for November. This month my daughter turns 3 and we’re having a Frozen-themed birthday party to go with her Frozen-themed presents. It’s probably no surprise that some of the colours have crept into our living room and on my mantle.

We have ice blue candles standing proud in my great-grandfather’s brass candlesticks.

I’ve recycled our Halloween munchkins but spray painted them white to give a fresh new look.

The bus blind has been moved to a different room and been replaced by my lovely Orla Kiely stem print vase, a favourite house-shaped tea light holder and Hoover building architectural model.

A little of the outdoors has crept in thanks to some framed leaves. I adore this little frame, although the once vibrant red leaves are fading to a dull rusty colour.

I’ve added some fairy lights into a glass vase along with some pine cones the children have collected. It’s feeling so dark and gloomy by the time we return home from the school run the twinkly lights help to uplift the mood. I also added a sweet blue and white paper garland, from a pattern in beautiful wreaths and garlands by Catherine Woram.

Don’t be fooled by the cover of beautiful wreaths and garlands. To me the cover suggests it’s full of projects for the warmer months but there is something for all seasons. I’m not much of a flower arranger but but the 35 projects include leaves & flowers, fabric and ribbon, papercraft, mixed media and holidays. There’s a pretty ivy wreath for the festive season, a cloud and raindrop mobile for a baby’s room, a textured rope shell wreath (which would be a great use for the shells collected on our last trip to the seaside) as well as a fragrant flower and herb wreath.

This is a lovely book if you would like to try some new techniques or just fancy a little inspiration. Most of the projects require no specialist equipment and can be made in a few hours too.