A couple years back, when I first saw Kelly’s vintage sock stretchers hung on her fireplace, I literally gasped.
And then when Michael created his gorgeous, upscale wood stockings on his fireplace last year, that was enough for me!
That’s when I knew I had to give this wood stocking dea my own little junk styled spin.
So when I decked out my own fireplace for Christmas this year, one thing was missing.
Those stockings!
We aren’t ones to actually use stockings. We grew up using plates around a tree instead. So I really love this idea for adding that perfect decorating touch.
Old sign style of course!
Here’s how I made them. And then you can see this year’s Christmas mantel below too!
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How to make these old sign styled reclaimed wood Christmas stockings
You’ll need: (contains some affiliate links)
reclaimed wood of choice (I used fence boards already pressure washed and stencilled)
paint to stencil with (I used Fusion Mineral Paint)
stencils of choice if desired (Mine are from my store HERE)
These were old fence posts I gathered some time ago HERE, which had been previously pressure washed.
In fact, I upped the ante a little, and selected one board out of a past signed up Christmas tray I made with the Christmas Blend Hot Cococa stencil.
So you could either pre-stencil a design on boards for a pieced together look, or wait until the stockings were built.
2. Sketch out desired design.
I just free handed what I felt the stocking should look like, taking care to add wavy lines on the sides too, so it didn’t look blockish.
3. Cut along sketches.
For my first larger stocking, I chose to do rough cuts first.
4. Join the rough cuts with wood slats from behind.
Using cedar strips required predrilled pilot holes first, as cedar cracks easily.
Believe me, I tried without. Always trying to cheat where I can…
5. Smooth out the cuts after the stocking has been joined.
You may need to recut the smooth cuts from the underside, if your support strips get in the way of ‘the flip.
Like so.
6. Stencil and decorate with some hinges and other junk!
Here’s where I just played around, piling on hinges, as if they were holding the stocking pieces together.
This big hinge ended up being too heavy looking. Easy to change!
7. Mount the stockings.
Screws were used through the stocking right into the mantel. Once attached, heavy twine was ound around the stocking, then knotted around the screw. Worked great!
You could always drill holes and hang. These guys were just a little too large to spin. Plus then you wouldn’t see the designs.
Find the Hot Cocoa stencil HERE
How cute is that?
I personally love how part of the hot cocoa sign was cut off. A truly authentic pieced up old sign build.
But the sky’s the limit for design on this one. If I have time, I may make some mor, because my mind is going wild at this point!
Think stars, snowflakes, ski lodge, grain sack lines like I did on THIS tray… #stop-the-noises
Aren’t they cute?!
Thank you Kelly and Michael! I love my wooden stockings!
And, of course, the fireplace got decked out. It’s always a unique challenge, because the scale of it is soooo big.
2 antique soil sifters became the base design, then 3 wreaths were added.
The large wreath was stolen from my bedroom horsegate headboard. Now I have to redecorate in there… it never ends, does it?
The one green one is from my Ikea run! It added the perfect dash of colour to an otherwise super cozy, woodsy look.
A few mini white lights later, the Christmas fireplace mantel positively twinkles!
And if you ask me how I got the lights to look all star like, it was due to a super slow shutter speed.
Because I just know my photography THAT well. (huffs on fist and rubs against shoulder)
Truth? That was a complete and utter fluke, but it sure turned out cool!
And, one of my cute little new chairs is all ready for a nice cozy sit!
Check out that fabric tone with that fireplace rock. It’s PERFECT.
And that junk lamp really shines now against that white wall.
Who’s house is this?!
Christmas decorating is just screamin’ right along here!
And this round, there’s nothing to dry nor wilt. That will be a fun change!
Now to decorate the big faux tree… such a Merry unmessy Christmas to me!
How’s your own decorating coming along? Are you making headway?
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Find all the stencils HERE
Check out my other Christmas fireplace mantels HERE
And visit more Old Sign Stencil projects HERE
Oh Donna! SQUEAL!!! Love the mantel, especially the stockings. They are the most awesome pieces I’ve seen in a loooonnnngggg while! Oh my dear, I would love to have them. And I really enjoyed the photo shot showing the lamp and chair. Your style makes me feel sooo good. That lamp is to die for. Excuse my excitement! It’s just Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I’m looking forward to decorating. Could you give me any ideas for my tree? I know you are super busy. Sorry. I’ll look through your photos and my stuff and see what I can come up with. Due to allergies we have an artificial tree and due to finances, it’s nothing exciting. It’s dark green(duh) with the colored lights our sons prefer, and it looks so dark. Maybe I’ll look through your directions for making homemade snow. I’m thinking some white snow on the branches would brighten it up. And I’m thinking on some natural decorations. I picked up some glittery white paint and we have a ton of pinecones in our yard. Do you think I could somehow put some glittery white paint on the tips of my tree? Oh well, I’ve gone on, have I not. Thank you for making my morning. It’s cool. I see your designs, and I feel good. Like I would love to have it all, but not envious, because what you make is very doable for all of us. Again, thank you!!!
Hey Joanne!
Boy did your comment make me smile this morning!
A tree can really become anything you want it to be. I would start with putting on the desired lights, then let the tree dictate what it needs next.
Have you considered going white lights, but then adding colour through ornaments instead for something different? That way, you have more control over the colour you wish to implement.
Because I’m a junk and nature freak, I like the white, so whatever I add to the tree just works.
Maybe I should do a post on this topic. In fact, I think I will! Thanks for that… 😀
Loving this so simple and sweet and the best part because we’re downsizing everything here you don’t have to fill them. Next week I’ll be back in stenciling mode because I have some fun things I want to create. Excited!!
Those are adorable…now I want to make some! Good thing I have a few old fence pickets in my stash! Your living room looks so cozy too. Love the mantel and oh, that chair! I need to go to IKEA! Hahahaha.
Hope you’re having a good week!
Loving these.. I just have to have them. You need to sell some of your things.. Really.. You can do it.. Sell 10-20 of each thing.. You would sell them… I am really ready to go now.. You got me in the spirit.. YAHOO… JOY JOY..
Haha, yeah, I realize I should. I’m just not good with making things more than once, and it takes me 6 months to package something and wander to the post office to send. Knowing this, I just belt it out for the blog, in hopes of inspiring others to just do it! And save a LOT on shipping. 🙂
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those stockings, Donna! They are so drool-worthy!!! Your new chair is wonderful. Great color! No IKEA in this country, sigh.
Looks fantastic to the max Donna. You sure have a way with those old fence panels.
It looks so restful there, not too much stuff around. I sorely need to declutter again but when I am in the middle of a bazillion painting projects things tend to get piled up.
I hear ya on not wanting to do repeats of items, I like doing something new each time I paint a sign or painting too. Wrapping and shipping is so time consuming, I would rather inspire folks to make their own than pump out several of one item as well. I joined a local gallery for selling what I do create and it takes away having to ship. I can make what I am inspired by now (moody one that I am) and put it up in the gallery for people to enjoy and purchase.
Donna,
Very nice…love the stockings!
Those wooden stockings are absolutely darling. You did good, girl! Awesome-possum!!!! Woo-hoo! I like them mucho! Sorry, but really they are GREAT. You could sell them as well as your stencils on Etsy. You should have a drawing for them, and I’ll enter it 20 times.
Hi Donna, I love your style! Your lamp, the chair, the fireplace and the stockings are all so perfect together. The brackets holding up your mantle are fabulous. Did you make those too? Thanks for the how-to. I always love to see what you’re up to.
You’re off to a great start Donna – love the stockings, the starry 😉 lights, the soil sifters, your new chair (love shopping at Ikea) and that lamp (amazing!!!). You are a fountain of inspiration – Thank you.
love these! and the coasters.
did you seal the coasters?
thanks for all the cuteness.
Barb
Hi Barb! I don’t seal reclaimed wood as it doesn’t ever seem to need it. But you certainly could use a wax or clear coat of some kind. I really like Fusion Mineral Paint’s Tough Coat for sealing myself.