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,

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!

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.

I'll have more from the Living Room soon...

Joining in for these great Holiday Parties:

at Savvy Southern Style
Under the Table and Dreaming
Between Naps on the Porch
Cozy Little House
Coastal Charm
A Stroll Thru Life
The Farmhouse Porch
Knick of Time

Be sure and come by Mondays for

 and each Thursday for

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend,

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration #116: Inspired for Christmas

Hi Everyone, time for Vintage Inspiration

I know we've all had a busy week, and we're all in various stages of dressing our homes for Christmas. I think that I have my basic decorating accomplished, but I'll be adding special touches throughout the season. I really enjoyed going through the links this week, to see what you all have gotten accomplished. So many wonderful ideas for the Season. Here are a few of last week's links that you'll want to visit:

Jacqueline from Cabin and Cottage uses her love of books and vintage quilts and linens to set the stage for a warm and cozy Christmas. I always love seeing J's easy and relaxing vintage decorating style. 

You all may know how much I adore anything "sheep", so when I saw this adorable creation from Solange at Shaggy Sheep Home, I just had to share it with you. With her inspiration sheep, she gives a step by step tutorial, you'll want to try one too.

Lynn from The Vintage Nest put together this wonderful natural Thanksgiving centerpiece from collected elements from her garden. LOVE the silver champagne bucket in the vintage crate.

She also gave a link for "diet" Pumpkin Pie which I will be checking out!

Rhonda from Blue Creek Home created a beautiful pair of Angel Wings from a tutorial from Dawn at The Feathered Nest. Just perfect for Christmas!

Tammy from A Primitive Place  has used her vintage Santas at the base of a wonderful Christmas Tree. Who doesn't need a bucket full of Santas?

And an Old White Urn from Faye at  Wild Rose Vintage dressed simply and easily for Christmas. (love the urn, I have it's twin)

And I want to introduce you to my newest sponsor Christie Scibior, a wonderful watercolor artist, who has really captured my heart. Her paintings have a storybook quality, that are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter's lovely illustrative work. Christie, who has been painting for about 20 years, finds her inspiration from vintage books and postcards. You'll want to visit her Etsy Shop to see more of her lovely, misty romantic, original pieces; perfect for a special gift this Christmas.

Winter Birdhouse Art Print

Original Watercolor of Fox and Butterfly

Art Print of Pastoral Landscape

Christie also sells stationary packages that can be personalized.
Personalized Watercolor Notecards

thank you, Christie, oh how I love your art!

Hope you'll join in today for the party, we're sharing our love for all things vintage and vintage inspired. So come link up all your Christmas fun with decor, DIY, traditions, tree trimming, mantles, recipes...anything you're doing to celebrate The Season. Please have a link within your post to be featured.

and while you're partying, check out these other great Friday Parties!

Have a wonderful week, everyone, 
thanks so much for taking the time to join in!

Top Three Links from Vintage Inspiration

How are all of you holding up...still working on decor? Good grief, I can't believe that I'm just now finishing up. I did have a houseful of company until Sunday afternoon, if that makes any difference. This is always a marathon for me, putting away my oodles of Fall decor and then the big changeover to Christmas. OK, just a few wayward turkeys needing to find their homes under the bar downstairs. So here are the top three links from last week's Vintage Inspiration. It's clear that some of you are miles ahead of me this week!

Drop Cloth Curtains with Burlap Trim

from Cathy at My 1929 Charmer

Kitchen Christmas Tree in a Trunk

by Anne from White Lace Cottage

And a fabulous Romantic Christmas Tree from Penny

at Penny's Vintage Home
(you have to find out what it's made from)

Hope you'll all join in for Vintage Inspiration tomorrow.

Come link up all your Christmas fun,

vintage decor, recipes, DIY, and vintage inspired posts.

see you tomorrow!