Fall Mantel

Fall is officially here, and I can't even tell you how happy I am about that. I love the crisp, cool weather, the yummy pumpkin scented candles, apple cider, pumpkin patches with the kids, the excitement of the upcoming holidays, busting out the cozy blankets and curling up on the couch, it's all so so so good. But there is one thing in particular that makes me oh-so-happy about this time of year...these are the only few months of the year that my #1 Decorating Dilemma is solved! Yay! This dilemma would be the lovely mantel. Normally, I would be jumping at the chance to decorate a mantel, but mine causes me nothing but a headache. You see, we mounted our tv on the wall way back when, and it had a table beneath it at the time. The tv was positioned perfectly. THEN we bought one of those electric fireplaces, which was great and all, but was much higher than the table and didn't leave a very large space for me to play with. Like at all. Like mere inches. Torture for me, I tell you. I love decorating stuff like that. Mantels make me very happy. And having a couple of inches to work with is tough, from the months of January through August. But come September, I can figure this dilemma out!

Now granted, there are a few berries and stems interfering with the tv, but for the most part, we're in the clear;) The hubs likes to tease me about this constantly. It's become a running joke in this house. Especially when trying to view stats on the football game;)

I'm sure you're not the least bit surprised a chalkboard is involved, am I right?! You have to believe me people, this was not in the original plan. I'm currently looking for a 12-step program of sorts, for chalkboard-a-holics, so if you happen to hear of any, email me. I'd greatly appreciate it. ;)

Here's how it started. I found this cute little box for a whopping 50 cents at a yard sale not too long ago.

I didn't know what I was going to do with it, but I liked it. It sat in the laundry room for a month or so before I realized it would be a great height for the mantel. I could stuff it with something, right? Well, turns out I was drawing blanks. Then came September. Oh the choices! I told you I'm so much better at decorating in the fall, didn't I?! I spackled the "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!" (it was engraved) then sanded it down and spray painted it a cream color. I filled it with pinecones, red apples, and some fall-y garland, added some sparkly pumpkins I had, a couple cozy candles and called it a day. But it was not working for me. Then it all clicked! I had just done the canisters for the kitchen with my new favorite thing: chalkboard sticky paper! I cut a strip, and used my fancy-shmancy craft scissors to give a little somethin'-somethin' to the corners, stuck it on, and there you have it.

It looks so pretty at night, all lit up, with the fireplace on underneath. And I love that I can change up the words - I'm thinking something Halloween-y in October, Give Thanks in November, and oh the possibilities in December! I can't wait to fill this puppy up with Christmas greens and red berries, candles...oh bring it, mantel! You don't scare me now! (At least until January anyway...)

Happy Fall, Everyone!

P.S. I linked this up At The Picket Fence!  :)