Our Hopeful Home: Christmas Chalkboard Printable Posters

December 19, 2012

Can I tell you a secret? I'm a cheater. There, I said it. But I think you'll understand once I tell you why.

Those of you who know me know that I've become a chalkboard junkie over the past year or so. I went all out on Thanksgiving and did a freehand graphic. You can see that here. But let's just say that I didn't have it in me to do the same for Christmas.

So. I. Cheated.

But hey, at least I admit it. Thanks to Nest of Posies I just "made" my Christmas chalkboard.

Pretty impressive, huh? {Wink, wink}

You may have seen her awesome post already, but if you haven't, you've got to go over there and check it out {here}. She provides downloads for 5 chalkboard printables! I had a hard time trying to decide which one to use.

Nest of Posies

While I like them all, I chose the Joyeux Noel one, in keeping with my love of all things French. Plus, I've always wanted a set of antlers on the wall!

I followed Kellie's advice and used Staples' blueprint paper blow-up service (just click on "engineering prints") to blow this baby up to around 28"x30". I mean, it's huge! But it fits just perfectly (after a bit of downsizing with a pair of scissors) inside my huge, white, chippy, shabby chalkboard frame. You can see my DIY plexiglass chalkboard tutorial here. It was so easy I felt kind of guilty. Kind of.

I just cut it a bit to fit the frame, and then used that sticky stuff you hang posters with to adhere it temporarily to the chalkboard. And boy was I happy with how it turned out!

You can see how I made the silver, red and green wreath hanging above the chalkboard here.

Oh, and did I mention the price? $3.95. Well worth it, for a "chalkboard" graphic that's 100 times better than any one I could ever draw. And another plus? The kids can't accidentally erase Mom's masterpiece!

The white vintage trees came from a local thrift store (I got three of them for around $3.00). And the plaid 1950's cooler is one of my most recent Goodwill purchases for $2.99. It's a Skotch Kooler, designed by Petra Cabot. I've seen it sell on Etsy for $50.00. Great score AND it looks good as Christmas decor.

Thanks, Kellie, for such an easy and inexpensive Christmas chalkboard. Maybe now I'll have time to do some of that wrapping.

Now it's time for me to focus exclusively on my family as we get ready to celebrate the blessed holiday. From our home to yours,

Merry Christmas!

xoxo