common ground : chalkboard

Showing posts with label chalkboard. Show all posts

Friday, April 21, 2023

Cupboard Top Spring Garden Vignette

Hi Friends, it's hard for me to believe, but I haven't shared the cookbook cupboard (in real time) since last late summer. It has been seasonally decorated, but somehow didn't make it to the blog. Since I love decorating with a garden theme for spring I wanted to make sure that I share the latest on the cupboard top.

Spring Vignette on the Cupboard Top

Once a holiday is over and all the obvious "holiday decor" has been packed away, it always seems bare and bland. I gathered up the bunnies and Easter related pieces and they are now safely tucked away till next year. A "Spring" refresh is always easier for me than other seasons, because vintage garden goodies can easily fill whatever holes might have been created when the Easter eggs and bunnies said "bye-bye".

"Hello Fall" Silhouette Script Chalkboard

Hello friends... I'm joining a small group of bloggers today to share how we've used chalkboards in our vintage decor. Cindy from County Road 407 has put together a Blog Hop series that celebrates all things vintage and how we incorporate them into our decor. If you're coming from Cindy's blog, welcome, I'm so glad you're here to continue the fun!

A few years ago when chalkboards were a big trend in vintage decor, I fell in love with the look of vintage chalkboards and all the wonderful art displays and creative hand lettering. From elaborate to simple and childlike; chalkboards are an expressive way to share ideas and information.

Gathered #2

Last week I started a new blog post concept; well, it's just new for me. Many bloggers have a weekly post like this, and I really enjoyed taking a few minutes to share with all of you some of my weekly finds across Blogland and Pinterest. These are just a few of the pics and posts that caught my attention; Gathered here for you.

I ran into these elegant, but casual Thankful Plates from Crate and Barrel.

They have a whole line of glasses, napkins, etc.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to make these yourself,

or for that matter write any message or word using some sort of permanent gold marker.

It would have to be waterproof and non toxic, but oh so pretty!

Decor Philosophy for Cupboards, and Life

It's been said, more than once, that I can't leave a flat surface alone. Meaning that I have to "decorate" every square inch, and it wasn't often said with an affirmative attitude. I think I may be a little better than I used to be. When you have goodies you love, they just cry out to be used and appreciated!

Silhouette Script Chalkboard

I think most of us love a good chalkboard.

Big, small, simple or ornate;

vintage or new,

embellished script or childlike letters

...decorated for the Season.

But I'm not so good when it comes to hand lettering,

so I asked my Sis to help me out with a short message

using her Silhouette machine.

More from the Patriotic Sitting Room

Here's the rest of the pics from my little Kitchen Sitting Room,

all dressed up for the

July 4th Holiday.

Gotta have some red geraniums and a flag.

On top of the Cupboard...

We've been working hard lately to get more boxes opened and unpacked, so we'll have space to bring more over from storage. It's a domino effect, with storage shelving going into the basement storage room first, then organizing the garage and getting Holiday tubs and decor stacked up and out of the way. I'm finding things that honestly I didn't remember I had... and probably don't need. But that's beside the point, because I'm now having to go through box after box of "stuff".

I am finding some of my favorite little things, though.

Spooky Sideboard and a Give Away Winner

I have my hallway sideboard done up with a touch of "Spookification". Just enough to be an itsy bit "weenish". I always have to apologize in advance for the photos because this is an inner hallway with no natural lighting. Sometimes I get ambitious and "clone" out the 80's monster doorbell, air vent, and the thermostat, but today what you see is what you get.

I'm still totally in love with my Pier 1 chalkboard that's all curvy and scrolly. It's sitting in front of my large paned window that's been here for a couple of years. They make a good backdrop for any Holiday or Season. My sis made the Boo Banner for me a couple of years ago, and gives just the right "fright factor". I know you're scared, huh?

I finally found a preserved boxwood wreath this Spring. I had wanted one last Christmas, but I refused to pay the big bucks prices they were asking for them. If there were deals, they were always sold out super fast. So when I found one for a good price I was thrilled. I just added some fun polka dot satin wired ribbon, then I'll just change out the ribbon and use it through the first of the year.

Since this is a sideboard and a sideboard is supposed to hold dishes, I always like to have some dishes and serving pieces sitting around appropriately. I'm using a little black wagon to hold the tureen, plates, silverware and napkins. And look who flew in...my baby snow owls and the owl collage I made earlier this Fall.

Hoooooo doesn't just love a baby snow owl?

...especially with glitter!

Here are my creepy little friends from the old Bird Book.

dead mouse and all.

I always love having something fun here to look at.

The turkeys are up next!

I promise I didn't forget about the Give Away winner.

Lisa has a wonderful bracelet or custom piece for

Di from Cottage Wishes

congrats Di, just get in touch with me by email

and we'll get your piece created!

Be sure and run by Lisa's wonderful Etsy Shop,

Love Squared Designs

and remember she has a discount code for 10%

off the rest of the month of October.

COMMONGROUND at Etsy Checkout.

thank you so much, Lisa!!

I'll be joining in with these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

From My Front Porch to Yours

Open House at No Minimalist Here

TTT at Stone Gable

Rooted in Thyme

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

The Party Bunch at Whipperberry

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Mod Vintage Life

xoxo,

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

It's a "bird" thing...

...and it happens every Spring.

It was time for a sideboard "refresh" after Easter and I've been antsy to get my Pier 1 scroll-y chalkboard in place. The bunnies are all put back to bed, and this time I know where to find them. All tucked into their see-thru giant plastic tub in the basement storage room. sweet dreams...

After Easter I always go to my nature/bird/nesting theme.

I thought I wanted just a plain (gee, that's not a word that I use often) and simple sideboard vignette, but I should have known that once I had things in place that I'd be looking for something else to slap up here for more visual interest.

So I found a couple of my unframed vintage bird prints and a few of my paper play things from last year. I loved paper dolls when I was little, now it's "paper birds". I'm addicted I tell ya...

These little sweeties are cut from an old torn up bird book and mod podged onto an old dictionary page. Then framed in an antique photo album page. Click here to see the original post I did on them.

Don't you just love an ill placed 80's doorbell (below, upper right)

for some shiny hallway fun? yuck.

An old French Ironstone tureen and English platter are my staples,

that I brought in from the Dining Room buffet.

time to mix things up.

Then I brought in these little ivy topiaries from the Living Room sofa table,

for something a little different.

I just found a new preserved boxwood wreath too, so that may go here in place of this mossy/twiggy one. Now that the birdies are hanging around it looks a little "busy". (I whined last Christmas Season about a boxwood wreath for weeks. none to be found under a $100.)

So here's the Hallway Sideboard... for awhile anyway.

You never know what you'll find in here.

Thanks for coming by to visit!

joining these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

DIY by Design

Blissful Whites from Timewashed

From My Front Porch to Yours

No Minimalist Here

Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Stone Gable

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

I'm joining in with all of you, sending our love and prayers for Boston, and for those whose lives are forever changed by the tragic event at the Marathon.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Skinny on Spring Wreaths

Each new season you'll find me fiddling with silk flowers and putting together wreaths, and this weekend I've been working on one for the front porch. But finding one that will fit is always a problem. Most of the time I just give up and go with a bunch of silk branches or flowers for the large wicker cone that's on the side of the front porch.

But last year we had an upset with some little finches that wanted to make a nest in the cone with my faux flowers. I thought I had managed to escape having to leave out green poinsettias until May...but no. They were all over that wonderful spot. So when I was able to hijack their plans, or so I thought, a nest of little eggs were dashed on the front porch concrete by accident. Well, birdie lover that I am, I felt horrible and realized that I would have to do better this next nesting season.

That meant NO WICKER CONE!!!!

(said in the tone of Mommie Dearest's "NO WIRE HANGERS!!")

Here's a pic from last Fall so you can see the problem;

Lovely nesting spot in the white cone to the left.

Please excuse the pumpkins,

but you can see what I mean.

...the perfect, out of the way, nesting spot.

You can also see my dilemma with my finding a wreath for the door. It's one of those glass storm doors, that only give you a few inches to work with. So if I put a wreath on the door, it has to be super skinny!

So, here's a better shot of my make-do creation,

hanging on a recent purchase from Pier 1.

That naughty Nita, made me go out and buy this...

Isn't this blackboard just so cute and scrolly?

I have plans for it on the sideboard in the hall after Easter.

OK, so back to my wreath dilemma...

I found a skimpy one in my stash, with white berries,

(Michael's for about 8 bucks)

which works for Christmas or Spring,

but it was too blah,

and needed something else...

like a twig or two of forsythia and a nest.

Just grabbed a few extra goodies from the flower bin and wired them on.

I think this may have saved the day.

Joining in on these great parties:

French Country Cottage

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xoxo,

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)