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    Christmas Mantel 2012 ... Chalkboard LOVE!

    by Jessica 57 Comments

    This year, I wanted to do something a little more, well...me when decorating my mantel for Christmas.

    I wanted a gigantic chalkboard in the middle, urns with evergreen trees, and real garland this year.
    .
    I have a chalkboard obsession, and any of you who have been around for a while know it isn't going away any time soon.  I'll try not to bore you with the details, but if you feel like you need a chalkboard fix, you are welcome to check out my Turn a Mirror into a Chalkboard post or my post on Turning an Old Picture Frame into a Chalkboard, there is even a post on How To Make Chalkboard Vinyl Labels...I know, it's a sickness.
    Anyhow, I have been holding on to this old issue of Cottage Living since December 2006, because of the sheer chalkboard envy of this old cottage kitchen.  I think this may be where my chalkboard obsession began...I mean, isn't it gorgeous?  I've looked and looked for something similar for years, and have had absolutely no luck at all...until my friend Angie had a yardsale...
    She was selling this huge mirror from an old dresser for $20, and I had to have it.  I knew it was meant to be...this mirror would some how, some way become the chalkboard of my dreams.  Sadly, it took me 3 months to finally start...then I became obsessed.

     

    I used some white chalk paint, and covered the entire thing...wood and mirror both.  I went ahead and painted the wood with an extra coat, then distressed with a sanding block.

     

    Next, I painted the mirror sections with 3 coats of chalkboard paint.  After they had dried overnight, I held a stick of chalk sideways and went over the entire chalkboard.  I lightly wiped it off, then began drawing and erasing, and drawing and erasing some more.  I wanted it to look old and worn, like the chalkboard of my dreams.  This process went on for days, until Matt finally popped in and said I was getting a little crazy with the whole chalkboard thing.  So, I stepped back and said, okay...that'll just have to do then.  It's not exactly the same...it could never be, and there isn't a spot in my kitchen for it, but I have the perfect spot for now...
    He helped me lift the gigantor chalkboard onto the mantel, then the decorating began.  I added fresh garland, the  Urns I made for less than $3 each were stuffed with arborvitae clippings from our yard and some old amaryllis, then a few more small details were added.
    I think it's my favorite mantel yet!  I love the natural elements, mixed in with some old family favorites. I even popped some wooden spools and a horseshoe up there for fun...
    So, how about you?  What do you think?   Have you done any Christmas decorating yet, or am I just Christmas crazy?
    Jessica Signature New
    « Make A Snowman With Styrofoam
    Glitter in Glass Christmas Tree Tutorial »

    Comments

    1. Leslie Stewart says

      November 26, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      What a great idea to use that old dresser mirror!!! Love it!
      Leslie
      House on the Way

      Reply
    2. Laura @ Our Prairie Home says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! What a great find and an awesome transformation! I love your mantle! GORGEOUS, Jessica!

      Reply
    3. Anneke at This, That and Life says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:09 pm

      This looks SO great! It's hard to believe that it used to be a mirror - great score and decorating!!!

      Reply
    4. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:09 pm

      Awesome! I love how that turned out! Love the crown molding on the top of the mirror! That is such a great piece. And that garland is fabulous too!

      Reply
    5. Life Happens says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:12 pm

      Very cute mantel. Love the distressed look of the chalk board.

      Reply
    6. Janel from NellieBellie says

      November 26, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      It is meant to be on your mantel!! It looks amazing!!
      I'm in chalkboard lust now. thanks alot :)

      Reply
    7. [email protected] Line House says

      November 26, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      You know what? I think the little spools may be my favorite part! But then again, anything looks amazing against a chalkboard. :) I've got chalkboard on the brain, like, always too. What can you do? Run with it!

      Reply
    8. [email protected] at the Crossroads says

      November 26, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      Jessica, I will never look at mirrors the same! I had no idea you could turn a mirror into a chalkboard! Yours looks marvelous as part of your Christmas mantel display. Love how you added those spools into it, too.

      Reply
    9. [email protected] at the Crossroads says

      November 26, 2012 at 7:50 pm

      I forgot to thank you for adding our blog to your sidebar! Thanks so much and I've added you to ours, too!

      Reply
    10. Cheryl @ That's What Che Said says

      November 26, 2012 at 9:37 pm

      Absolutely Love it Jess! Love, love, love it! I want one now! (adn I can't believe you scored that awesome mirror for only $20) Awesome job!

      Reply
    11. Carlene @ Organized Clutter says

      November 26, 2012 at 11:38 pm

      I love that huge chalkboard on the mantel. Great transformation.

      Reply
    12. Cassie Taylor says

      November 27, 2012 at 2:36 am

      I love the chalkboard idea! I saw your blog on the Meet me Monday Link party and wanted to check it out!

      Reply
    13. Sue says

      November 27, 2012 at 3:41 am

      Woo hoo! This is a fun transformation and the perfect focal point for your holiday mantel. :-)

      Reply
    14. Katie @ Creatively Living says

      November 27, 2012 at 3:48 am

      What a makeover! Fabulous!

      Reply
    15. Lucy Farmer says

      November 27, 2012 at 4:07 am

      Absolutely fantastic!! I love what you did. BTW, my friend just bought that house that is pictured in Cottage Living! She didn't get to keep the chalkboard, though. It's a great inspirational house!!

      Reply
    16. Shannon Fox says

      November 27, 2012 at 5:46 am

      Umm.. yeah. I want that. No, really. You better hand it over before someone gets hurt! hehe

      It's freaking super gorgeous girl. $20??? You scored. It's fabulous and it looks great right where you put it! Happy Holidays to YOU! You wonder decorating diva.

      Reply
    17. reFresh reStyle says

      November 27, 2012 at 9:57 am

      You had me at gigantor chalkboard! It looks amazing and I love that you used your urns :) and for $20~get outta here!
      Debbie

      Reply
    18. Inspire Me Heather says

      November 27, 2012 at 12:23 pm

      Nice job on the chalkboard, that turned out gorgeous!! I loved your mantle too, all together it looks beautiful!

      Reply
    19. Debbiedoo's says

      November 27, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      Girl you outdid yourself on this one! WOWZA..it was totally meant to be. I love it. What a steal too.

      Reply
    20. Kelly @ View Along the Way says

      November 27, 2012 at 5:35 pm

      Wow, this is so SO stunning! I can't believe it's even the same mirror!

      Reply
    21. Eclectically Vintage says

      November 28, 2012 at 12:13 am

      You're crazy good - I share your obsession with chalkboards! What a beauty and the whole mantel looks amazing.
      Kelly

      Reply
    22. The Other Me Is Sane says

      November 28, 2012 at 2:58 am

      ok sister, I think I've finally found someone who loves chalkboards as much as I do. I have that Country Living 2006 picture too in my binders of tear sheets. Love your chalkboard, if you ever decide to sell it...

      Reply
    23. Jennifer Dawn Oliver Shelton says

      November 28, 2012 at 5:29 am

      I adore this idea! Love any project involving a chalkboard. :) I'd love for you to stop by and link it up to my weekly link party. http://thelifeofjenniferdawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-19.html

      Reply
    24. Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says

      November 28, 2012 at 11:23 am

      Love the chalkboard! It looks better than your magazine inspiration! Actually, I love your whole mantel!

      Reply
    25. Biz says

      November 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm

      Stopping by from The Life of Jennifer Dawn and let me tell you I LOVE the chalkboard!
      I too looked for quite sometime for an old school house chalkboard.
      I never did find one and I settled on buying a newer magnetic chalkboard, but yours is stunning and it has re instilled in me the desire to search on!

      Reply
    26. Wrighty says

      November 28, 2012 at 6:26 pm

      AMAZING!! Your chalkboard looks so much better than the magazine version! The whole mantle is beautiful and so homey and personal. You've really inspired me to get going with my decorating and crafting. I have Some Harry Potter ornaments to make for a friend and two little grandchildren to decorate for. Great job! :)

      Reply
    27. Katie Drane says

      November 29, 2012 at 2:40 pm

      What a clever idea! It's beautiful!

      Katie
      http://www.funhomethings.com

      Reply
    28. TheMoonAndMe says

      November 29, 2012 at 9:22 pm

      It's gorgeous...you did a great job! I can see why you were obsessed over the one in the magazine! AH! Now I'm envious of yours. :)
      Kelly

      Reply
    29. Amber's Snippets of Design says

      November 29, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      I love it! You did a great job...it's beautiful!
      xo,
      amber
      snippets{of}design.com

      Reply
    30. [email protected] says

      November 30, 2012 at 4:04 am

      This turned out beautifully! I love the very dark as the center of the mantle display. I so miss Cottage Living magazine . . . I still have about 6 years worth packed away.

      Reply
    31. [email protected] Designs says

      December 01, 2012 at 2:24 am

      The mantel is so very cute and festive....great idea about the chalkboard...you did a wonderful job as always!!

      Reply
    32. Stacey Hann says

      December 01, 2012 at 3:32 pm

      Looks great!! You did a great job!

      Reply
    33. Kim @ Too Much Time says

      December 01, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      You did a freakin awesome job on this one, girl! Love a good Craigslist score and the white finish is fab. If you have a sec this weekend, I would love for you to share at Get Schooled Saturday! http://too-much-time.com/2012/11/get-schooled-saturday-50.html
      xxx
      Kim @ Too Much Time On My Hands

      Reply
    34. chateau chic says

      December 02, 2012 at 1:21 am

      Your chalkboard is awesome!! It makes a great centerpiece on your mantel.
      Mary Alice

      Reply
    35. Jill Flory of Sew a Fine Seam says

      December 02, 2012 at 2:05 am

      Your mantel is beautiful! And you did a great job with the mirror transformation into a chalkboard!

      Reply
    36. Erika says

      December 02, 2012 at 10:24 pm

      What a great idea!! It looks amazing - I am totally going to steal this idea:)

      Reply
    37. Kim says

      December 03, 2012 at 1:08 am

      Aw, it was meant to be Jessica. I love that you had such vision when you saw this mirror. It looks perfect now as the chalkboard of your dreams! Great job.
      xoxo,
      Kim

      Reply
    38. Kristen {Ella Claire} says

      December 03, 2012 at 4:47 am

      So Pretty~~ I think that is the chalkboard of my dreams too!!

      Reply
    39. Vanessa @ Our Thrifty Ideas says

      December 03, 2012 at 4:54 am

      Wow, what a transformation. I love it.

      Reply
    40. malia says

      December 03, 2012 at 6:04 am

      I have a stack of Cottage Livings that I refer to all the time... and it still looks so fresh! Love your project.

      Reply
    41. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

      December 03, 2012 at 9:26 pm

      This is just gorgeous!!!!! Featuring later today!
      XO
      Kristin

      Reply
    42. [email protected] Charm says

      December 04, 2012 at 1:44 am

      Awesome price on that mirror:) It's perfect for your mantel too! Makes a huge statement and that's what we all want, right?

      Blessings,
      Linda

      Reply
    43. One More Time says

      December 04, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      Very Pretty

      Reply
    44. Erin Spain says

      December 05, 2012 at 12:00 am

      Looks great! So pretty.. And I love the chalkboard! It turned out great.

      -Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

      Reply
    45. Ginger says

      December 06, 2012 at 9:34 pm

      Featuring you today! :)

      Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com

      http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/12/take-look-at-you-christmas-edition.html

      Reply
    46. Wild Oak Designs says

      December 08, 2012 at 4:23 pm

      Wow, I didn't know that you could paint a mirror with chalkboard paint! Really?? That is so cool!
      It looks fantastic. I have learned so much just from reading blogs!
      Merry Christmas!
      Nancy
      http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

      Reply
    47. Stacey says

      December 09, 2012 at 3:52 am

      So pretty!
      Would love if you stopped by the Holiday Linky Party - mantels - to link it up! The party is happening NOW!
      Stacey of Embracing Change
      http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

      Reply
    48. Heather SettingforFour says

      December 09, 2012 at 10:59 pm

      Looks fab Jessica! I tried turning a mirror into a chalkboard once - epic fail...the paint kept bubbling in a few places! I like the idea of painting it with chalk paint first! Beautiful decorating - so festive!

      Reply
    49. Debbiedoo's says

      December 10, 2012 at 12:55 am

      You really blew me away on this one Jessica. Awesome job! So happy you joined me.

      Reply
    50. Linda @ A La Carte says

      December 10, 2012 at 2:26 am

      It is amazing and gorgeous! A dresser mirror...I would never have thought to use that. Great job!

      Reply
    51. Marla and Steve says

      December 10, 2012 at 3:01 am

      It's perfect!

      Reply
    52. Sandy says

      December 11, 2012 at 2:33 pm

      What a great idea! It looks fabulous on your mantel!

      Reply
    53. Stacey says

      December 16, 2012 at 12:54 am

      Very cute Jessica - and I adore that chalk board!
      Great idea!
      Thanks for linking up to the Christmas Mantel Linky Party at Embracing Change!
      Stacey

      Reply

    Trackbacks

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    I’m Jessica, a mom on a mission to show other women that you can live well without breaking the bank. I like to share the thrifty, creative ways that I make changes in my home in the hopes that it will spark the creativity in someone else! I love to share DIY projects, crafts, simple recipes and cleaning tips too! Read More…

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