Nothin’ Says Fall like Mums, Chalkboards, and Polka Dotted Pumpkins
Nothing says fall like mums, chalkboards, and polka dotted pumpkins. Oh, and DIY sharpie pillows. Ya. Them too. Or at least that’s what I always say. And I think the front porch is the perfect spot to display all these fall-ish friends.
Adding some chalkboard fun to the front porch was super easy. I did it in two ways: through some chalkboard art on my permanent porch chalkboard. And through these little mini owl chalkboards that I made from some wooden owl shapes I picked up at Michaels.
I started with:
I gave them a quick few coats of my homemade chalkboard paint (basically mix plaster of paris 1:1 with warm water until COMPLETELY dissolved – I use a blender) then add to paint – 1 cup paint to 1/2 cup plaster mixed with 1/2 cup water. I used a smaller amount and kept the proportions the same and used black CRAFT PAINT to make mine… see here for more info.
All done….
Then just add a cute quote….
Now for the chalkboard art hanging on the wall… my biggest tip is to use a CHALK PEN! I bought a couple the other day at Michaels and I. LOVE. IT. Seriously. Love. It was one of my best craft purchases maybe ever.
I simply printed some images to trace (in this case the little squirrel and the acorns)…
Traced them…
And then to vary up the texture a little I used regular ol’chalk to fill it all in….
To be honest I just free handed the font… but just google chalkboard images and then play around with sketching on some scrap paper – remember, it is only chalk. This is not brain surgery we are talking about. You can always erase it if you aren’t satisfied! Go for it….
If you are curious about that ridiculously adorable fall pillow that is REVERSIBLE (yes, I did just say reversible) for the two parts of our lovely fall season… you can check out my tutorial for it today over at Maison de Pax.
Now to fall-ify the rest of the porch I simply added some fall plants like mums (tip: wrap their plastic pots in some burlap and tie it on with twine to give it a more natural look) and some fun polka dotted pumpkins.
And grasses… and kale….
I picked up the pumpkins at our local farm market and dressed them up with some simple black and white polka dots using craft paint (I keep these ones under cover…. not sure what our torrential rains would do to the craft paint).
You know, a little chalkboard paint just makes everything better. If you don’t believe me, just ask Ryan.
Now for what the rest of my stunning cohostesses have been up to this week:
We are loving our chalkboards! Check out everyone’s fab projects:
Chalkboard Shelf by Christy at Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Folding Chalkboard Chair by April at House by Hoff
Chalkboard Lamp Shade by Mandy at House by Hoff
Fun Fall Chalkboard Art by Abby at Just a Girl and Her Blog
And don’t forget to come back on Sunday and link up for the Get Your DIY On: Chalkboard Projects Challenge!! 4pm PST or 7pm EST. Hope to see y’all here!
I can’t wait to see what YOU can do with a chalkboard! OR what you can TURN INTO a chalkboard! Ready to be inspired….
Thanks for reading. And remember my housie friends, HOME isn’t built in a day. Enjoy the journey.
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I love your chalkboard sign and Fall message! So so cute. And the little owls are adorable as well. You have such a pretty porch! Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration.
Thank you Maria! So thrilled you came to visit and comment:)
Wonderful space! So happy and fun! The chalkboard owls are especially genius!
Thank you Corinna!!
This is adorable, Krista. Every. Little. Thing. is too cute! I really love your turquoise door, though. Obviously. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great weekend!!
Thank you Laura!!
Love it!! Where did you find the wreath?? Or did you make it – it’s so cute!
Hi Krysta! Sorry I am sooo far behind on responding to this. I made the wreath! I have a simple tutorial for it on the blog:) Thanks for your visit and comments!
Such a beautiful fall porch! Thank you for linking up.
Thank you so much Rita, and thank you for hosting!!
What color is the bench on the porch? Thank you!
Hi Patricia,
I believe it was painted a light blue called Whispering Spring by Benjamin Moore, but I painted it about 12 years ago now so I’m having a hard time remembering for certain! Sorry:)
Krista
Soooo cute!! I can always pick your projects out from my party link up – there are always so fun and playful! Pinned! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving this weekend! Jenn 🙂
Thank you Jenn!
oh! those little owls are my favorite, I love everything! 😉 so, so pretty and Fally! hi!hi! 🙂
Thank you Ingrid!! I love the little owls too:)
Hi there! I featured you today on Blissful & Domestic! Stop by and check it out!
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2013/10/15-fall-porch-ideas.html
Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic
Thank you Danielle!! I will hop over for sure!!
Absolutely adorable decorations…I love the chalkboard owls! SO cute! This would be great to link to Create It Thursday #23…it’s live now! Hope to see you there!
Thank you Leslie!!
Super cute!! If I love anything it’s decorating for fall!! You share some really great ideas. I love your porch! Thank you!
Thank you Leah!! So thrilled you came to visit and thanks for your sweet comments!!
Well Ryan must know what he’s talking about b/c those chalkboard owls are stinkin’ cute! What a great idea~thanks for Sharing! Jennifer
LOL – he always knows what he is talkin’ about!
How beautiful, Krista! Those cute little owls are my favorite– totally adorable! Hope you’re having a wonderful week, my friend!
~Abby =)
Thank you Abby!! I am glad the owls turned out to be cute… there is always a moment when you wonder if you are crossing the line to tacky:) Lol. Have a great week too my friend!!
This looks great! Your chalkboard animals are so cute!! I’d love if you’d link up to The DIY’ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/10/diyers-32-and-marathon-weekend.html
Thank you Kayla!! What day do you guys go live on? I can add you to my list…
I am loving your little chalkboard owls. I have have a bird just like this that I have still hanging around so tomorrow it get the chalkboard treatment just like your owls. I am loving the squirrel on your chalkboard almost as much as the owls, what a great tip.
This is my first tip visiting your blog (via That DIY Showoff) but I will be back.
Traci
I love the little squirrel too… such a cute friendly little guy:) Thanks so much for your visit Traci!! So thrilled to meet you:)
How lovely! The chalkboard birds are my favorite!
Thank you Dianna – they add a cute little touch I hope:) Thanks so much for your visit and kind comments!!
Adorable and what a super sweet porch! LOVE it!
Thank you Bonnie and Trish!! So thrilled you came by to visit me!
Love it! It looks so festive! The polka dot pumpkins are adorable 🙂
Thank you Lusine – I love the polka dot pumpkins too. I see some more of them in my near future:)
Krista! Everything looks so pretty! I love the all the chalkboards and polka dots! You are talking my language!
Happy day!
karianne
Thank you so much KariAnne!! I am sooo thrilled and excited that you came by to visit:) Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!!
I love it all Krista! Especially the owls!
Thank you Shannah!! The owls turned out better then I had hoped:)
I love everything! I might have to copy =)
Jen =)
LOl, they say imitation is the highest form of flattery!! Thanks so much for your visit and kind comments!!
Hi Krista! I just recently discovered chalk pens too, and you’re right…they’re great!! I also love your tip about wrapping the plastic pots in burlap. It’s the little things that make the biggest difference. 🙂 Love your porch!
I agree Lisa… it wouldn’t look quite the same with plastic pots sitting on the steps:) All in the details!
So cute!!! I love it all!!!
Thank you Leah!! So thrilled you came by!
You’ve made the cutest entryway to your home! Love those polka dot pumpkins!
Thanks Mary! A quick easy dress-up for the pumpkins! Have a great weekend!!
Your porch is so cute! The chalkboard owls are too fun. 🙂
Thank you Anu!! When I saw them at Michaels I had to pick them up… wasn’t sure yet how they would end up. So thrilled you came by to visit! Have a great weekend:)
Krista, you totally started my Friday with the biggest smile? How much do I love your porch…thiiiiiiiiisssss much! 🙂 Oh and I totally want that too cute for words squirrel chalkboard! Everything is just amazing, but of course, I am not surprised! Thanks for sharing and pinning! Have a day as fabulous as your projects! (that’s pretty fabulous!)
Aw thank you so much Cindy!! You are too sweet!! See you tonight at your party!