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

Stone Gable 

Centsational Girl

Stuff and Nonsense

At the Picket Fence

Shabby Art Boutique

Rooted in Thyme

Redoux

The Charm of Home

Craftberry Bush

Cedar Hill Ranch

Coastal Charm

Knick of Time 

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,

Industrial Lighting

Last week when I was at the Fall Open House at Leola's Vintage Home and Garden in Ozark, MO. I was knocked out by these really hip and trendy lighting designs. There are a talented group of gals there, and these are some of the fun industrial pieces made from "Found Things". Thought you might like to see them...such great ideas for using vintage bits and pieces of "junk".

Don't you just want to find a barn full of junk and have a go at it?

 Thanks gals for the fun inspiration!

 (more great inspiration coming soon from the Open House)

 Linking up to

Savvy Southern Style 

xoxo,

Meet... Sherri Mitchell

Every once in a while a blog comes along 

that just causes me

to fall in love...

I'd like to introduce you to Sherri Mitchell.

If you haven't met her yet, I know you'll want to.

She's only been blogging since December,

but her humor and ability to make you feel right at home,

reads like an old friend.

Her talent for creating paper goods 

and her beautiful photography skills

cause her blog to be just this side of heaven.

I was captivated my very first visit...

Sherri is my newest sponsor so

I'd love for you to drop by her blog and say "Hello",

and to visit her wonderful online shop where she carries

Beautiful handcrafted paper gift tag sets and greeting cards.

Thanks Sherri, for letting me share your beautiful blog and shop!

Just a little L-O-V-E

Not long ago after perusing some old Victoria Magazines, I found a wonderful image again in the February 1999 edition. Victoria never gets old or outdated, they are always lovely and classic. I knew once I saw it that I wanted to put my own "take" on it, so I used what I had on hand; tags and romantic elements to say "LOVE" in a very special Valentine-y way. 

Old stamps

vintage buttons

Millinery flowers

faux pearls

L-O-V-E

I had so much fun putting this together...

I'm joining in for these great parties:

Copy Cat Challenge

Metamorphosis Monday

A new linky party, Simply Klassic Sundays

The DIY Showoff

Embellishing Life

The Girl Creative

Coastal Charm

It's Overflowing

Cheap Crafty Mama

Hope you're off to a wonderful week,

xoxo,

I'm Hungry for Comfort Food

I'm not a "Foodie", but I have been searching out some recipes for some yummy comfort food lately. I'm trying to cook more healthy dishes this year, and I'm all about easy and the least possible mess in the kitchen.
Here are a few that I think look and sound super good, with all the comfort that goes in having a simmering pot on the stove or in the oven.

Turkey Chili from Dishy Goodness

Braised Beef Stew from Art of the Home

Chicken in Coconut milk from The Kitchn.com

No Knead Bread from the Kitchn.com

Chinese Chicken and Rice 

Vegetable Pot Pie but I like mine with Chicken...

These cold winter days and evenings

are making me want to put on an apron

and get busy...

Meryl Streep as Julia Child. Loved this movie!

(google images)

See ya tomorrow for more inspiration with...

 Vintage Inspiration Friday

xoxo,

Bad News, Good News

I know when I see post titles like this that I automatically think the worst..."oh no...what's happened?" Nothing earth shaking here, just a little blip on my radar screen. My camera that is attached to my hands is having to go back to the manufacturer for a tweak on a part.
After I had a slight melt down and panic attack I had to get real and deal with the situation. So here we have it...

The Bad news...my camera will be gone for a week or so.
The Good news...it's still under warranty.
The Bad news...it's Christmas and I have so many photos I want to take.
The Good news...the camera isn't completely "broken" so I can still take a few shots for the next few days to "tide me over" until I have to get it in the mail.
The Bad news... I've realized I have a slight addiction to my camera, and "separation anxiety" is a horrible thing.
The Good news...I have all of you out there to gather inspiration and share.
The Bad news...my hands are feeling weird like I'm getting ready to lose a few fingers or something...
The Good news...Pinterest
The Bad News...I'm not finished decorating...and taking pictures!
The Good News...It's Christmas!!!

OK, enough of the pity party...My photos may be minimum as I try to "streeeeeeeeetch" them out. I think I'm going to be doing a few inspiration hunting missions from you all out there in blogland. I've seen some great ideas and this is the perfect time to share them! So keep this in mind please and don't think I'm totally void of my own decorating and inspiration this year.


I'm hoping this won't be as traumatic as I'm thinking it could be. 

Here are a few more photos from the Dining Room,

to continue from Vintage Inspiration Friday...

Don't forget about all the fun coming up this week with the 

 Christmas Block Party

from At the Picket Fence.

Vintage Inspiration Friday is still going strong,

just scroll down to join in.

Hope you're having a great Saturday.

I'm going to now go take pictures of every thing I can find!!

Addictions are a pain...

xoxo,