I'll Get Around to It Ladder

I had this back piece left over from a daybed that fell apart a few months ago, and although I had a vision for it, I never quite got to it. However, you may have noticed there's a little something missing from our fireplace (besides good looks that is)...

Yep, that baby is mantle-free. So where do we hang our stockings, you may inquire?

First, let's wind a little garland greenery casually through the rungs of this pseudo-ladder thing.

From time to time, seek outside approval on your progress.

Now let's wire clusters of balls at intervals, just loosely, so we can tweak it later.

Using wire edged silver ribbon, start tying on your stockings! Amazingly, folks, these were all needlepointed by my mother over the last 22 years as little chubby people appeared in our lives, and they all survived the fire without a singe!

She made this when we were engaged. And yes, my real name is Jill. Mom's the only person on the planet that calls me that.

For the family's first grandchild...

...and for the roly poly little cherub that followed 21 months later.

Well sure, she has two; a separate one for jewelry. Duh.

Actually, the tiny one was for her first Christmas, and Grandma made her a larger one to replace it, but I do tuck a little sparkly something in the itsy one for fun.

And the spoiled 4 legged things.

The children's Godfather has one that coordinates, but it's from Lillian Vernon.

There we go, a stocking display that's also portable, PLUS this year, maybe the Godiva won't be a gourmet puddle in the toe from the heat of the fire. Always a plus, right? 

Scroll, there's one more.