Fall Project — Make a Back To School Mantel

Hi TT&J friends!

My name is Rachelle and I blog over at a little place called Fingerprints on the Fridge.

It’s a little mix of the life and times of my family of four and some fun house projects we’ve been trying to tackle in our Michigan fixer-upper.

I’m so excited to be here! I was super pumped when Jen asked me to share some of our back to school ideas. 🙂 We’re definitely getting in the mood for going back to school over in the Czuk house! As much as I love love love summer, by the end of it, we’re all ready for schedules and routines. Plus I can only handle so much craziness. Can I get an amen?!

Kicking off the end of summer-hello school I decided to fancy up our mantel a bit.

First it started off with the white frame I used in our Summer “Pure Michigan” Mantel. I wanted to use it for a chalkboard but didn’t want to deal with making the chalkboard. So, I picked up a 1.49 piece of black poster board over at Target and the sharpie paint pen and went to work.

A little Dr. Suess can fix anyone’s mood.

A few boxes of pencils and rulers (which we’ll gift to the school when we’re done with the mantel, who needs 15 rulers unless you’re a teacher? Wait, don’t answer that. Crafters do get crazy sometimes. 😉 ha ha!)

I wanted a red apple but wally world was fresh out. Of course, the only time you need a fake apple they’re out of the color you want. I snatched up the last green one though. Is there a fake apple shortage I haven’t heard about?

Some books, blocks, scrabble tiles and a few framed flash cards one from a new set we bought for Chloe and one that I took off our Playroom wall and we were all set! I’m loving the feel it gives to the room. It’s a little cheesy, yeah. But, it gets everyone in the mood for school. Plus it’s an excuse to play around with a new mantel theme. I can always do spring, summer, fall, halloween etc. But there’s only a short period of time I can do school themed and have the kids still like it and not moan and groan to not remind them of what’s to come! 🙂

I’ll be sharing a few other back to school ideas on the blog this month. I’d love to have you join!

Thanks Rachelle – what a festive mantel!! I have to admit that I am looking forward to school starting!

I love Rachelle’s ideas. Here are a few of my favorites:

Starfish Art and Awesome Summer Mantel

Coffee Table Makeover

And you’ll have to check out Rachelle’s awesome DIY Kitchen Makeover

Be sure to head over to Fingerprints on the Fridge and give Rachelle a big TT&J hi!!