Summer Mantel

After taking down the busy mantel I made for Spring, I went for a very plain and easy summer mantel.

I live far from the water, but looking at this sailboat above the mantel gives me the feeling of living in a beach house.

Well, a little bit. ;)

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I want to show you how the sailboat art was done so you can create your own; it's pretty easy.

The same board used for the Love Art sign was the base for this project, or you can use a plain piece of plywood.

A piece of ¼" plywood created the hull or the boat's body.

Trace your lines for the boat on the piece of wood; it doesn't have to be perfect.
Using a regular saw, follow those lines (the wiggly lines disappeared while cutting it), since it's ¼" material, the cutting goes fast.

Sand those rough edges and give the bow that nice rounded shape.

You can paint it, stain it or leave it like that. I gave it a light grey washout.

The main sail and jib are made of drop cloth. The measurements of these are totally up to you, depending on how big or small you want your sailboat.  

Cut two triangles, one bigger than the other, and remember to take advantage of those corners; they are already hemmed ;)

A small tree branch made the perfect mast for this project. Attach screw eyes (four) onto the branch.

Now, it's time to put it all together.  

First, Attach three screw eyes to the top edge of the boat, both ends and center.

Use mounting tape to attach the boat to the board.

To set the mast in place, drive two small nails through the middle of the branch (picture below).

Push holes on every corner of the sail and jib, using jute rope, tie them in place through the screw eyes.

You can make the sail extra special with a fun, colorful design. 

My daughter helped me by painting some red stripes.

Jute rope can be wrapped around the mast as an extra detail.

Hang it in place and enjoy!

Add a bouquet of hydrangeas...

Some blue bottles.

A fish-starfish garland.

And the mantel is done.

REMEMBER TO PIN IT!

Have a wonderful SUMMER!

For more DIY Summer decor ideas, check these out:

Summer Wooden Signs

Rustic Fourth of July Table

 

DIY - Coastal Placemats

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