common ground

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Chalkboard Cheater...

OK, I'm the first to admit that there have been several other gals who have beat me to posting about finding a way to do a "faux" chalkboard. It's not that I don't love real chalkboards and respect the huge amount of talent and patience that goes into creating those amazing works of art. It's just that this year, decorating for Christmas has been a rush job in every sense of the word.

So I just had to resort to cheating...

Above my sideboard in the hallway is a perfect spot for a chalkboard. I wanted that look without all the work. sounds bad...but Hey, I just love all the ones you all are doing out there. And then there's the fact that I hate to think about all the hours put into coming up with a fabulous creation, only to have to wipe it down the week after Christmas!

So I just bought some black foam board at Michael's and then proceeded to enlist the help of my sis and her trusty Silhouette Machine.

I think it's pretty good.

Maybe not the real thing, but I love the look.

I bought the chalk markers, so hopefully at some point I can try to create a more "realistic" one that actually resembles a chalkboard design. But until then, I can pop this one out and then beg my sister to make me another one...maybe one that says "Happy New Year". Have I told you what a great sister I have?

Yep, she's the Best!

(she reads my blog, too)

For some great Chalkboard Inspiration

Click Here for my Pinterest Page

I'll be joining in these fun parties this week:

Savvy Southern Style

No Minimalist Here

From My Front Porch to Yours

Don't forget to check out all the fun shopping over here

at The Marketplace.

It's live all week.

Just scroll down to the next post.

xoxo,

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Marketplace: Let's do some Christmas Shopping

Hi Everyone! Ready for some shopping fun?

I think most of us have a handle on our decorating and now we're ready to get down to business with the shopping. I know I still have more to do...

so let's take a peek at some great items from last week!

Scripture Gift Set from Proverbs

from Sweet Home Treasures

Vintage Paris Silverplate Cafe Cup

from Garden House Studio

Box of Vintage Christmas Ornaments

from Upon a Dream Designs

JOY Christmas Tree Painting

from The Old Post Road

And today I wanted to share some of the fun Christmas items that

Sheila from Tattered Goods has in her wonderful Etsy Store.

She has a 15% Off Discount, so just click above to get the code.

Handmade Christmas Stocking with Ruffle

Handmade Flour Sack Tea Towel

Christmas Baking

Handmade Flour Sack Tea Towel

These make great Hostess Gifts

Wouldn't a row of those stockings be wonderful

for your Farmhouse Mantel?

Hope you'll run by and check out the Shop!

OK, time to link (up to three) of your individual items to your Etsy Shops and Online Stores. This linky is for items that are FOR SALE ONLY. Please link to the individual item if possible. You don't have to have a blog to link up, but if you do I'd love you to be a follower and grab the above button for your sidebar. The more people that know about The Marketplace the merrier! And remember this linky stays live, so you can check back throughout the week to see new listings.

Have a great week everyone,

and thanks so much for linking up AND for shopping here!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Christmas Mantel

I think my roots are showing...

my traditional decor roots that is.

I wanted to "Simplify" my Christmas decor this year, and I'm not sure I really did that. But as I was pulling things out and trying to get some inspiration about where I was going in the Living Room, I just knew that I wanted it to be different from years past. I let my "white" be the backdrop, and went for some greenery to liven things up.

I've kept the basics in here; my mirrors, vintage book bundles,

Wolff Pottery vases, and lamps.

Here are posts of the last two years mantels.

Click Here, and Here

And if you want to see

what it looked like in the beginning of my blog,

just click Here

(just a warning, things look really different)

I wanted a preserved Boxwood Wreath, but haven't been able to locate one, so I improvised with a basic faux greenery wreath and wired in some faux boxwood sprigs. (Oh, I know where some are on the Internet, just not willing to fork out those prices)

These topiaries that I made about nine years ago

have come back from the lower level family room decor.

And I found this wonderfully simple "Noel" sign at Leola's this year, letting it take center stage. I think a lot of us have wanted a more "simple" approach to our Christmas decorating, this year. I love decorating for Christmas, but putting it all away is the downside for going all out. Maybe I'm somewhere in the middle.