Chalk Art

I have had this large picture frame for many years.

It was a deep shade of gold, it looked like this other frame I had (below)

All I did was buy a primer and paint combined in an off white.

Gave it a couple of coats and let it dry.

I also gave the glass inserts three coats of black chalkboard paint

 And let that dry in between each coat

Then, I have a friend who is doing a creative writing course along with me

We often bounce ideas off each other to help with our writing process

And one day the topic was Water.

Read his writing HERE

I loved the words he wrote, so I decided I knew exactly where I wanted to

Showcase these thought provoking words.

I quickly drew out a sketch of the words and how I wanted them to look.

Then, with my frame and newly painted chalkboard paint dried. 

I set to sketching out the words on the chalkpaint.

All done!

And I love how it looks.

There is something magical about water.

If you're having trouble figuring out what it says here you go:

Water is magical, especially old water

In overgrown lakes... 

They collect time, history, myths... 

Expectations & Dreams.

Read more >>

Easy Wood Crate

So how many have days where, we seem to either be a couch potato -- reading a good book or catching up on your favorite show OR where were super busy doing numerous household chores, a quick 30 minute workout, as well as squeezing in a couple of crafts.

Well, my day today has been the later. Waking up early may have something to do with it too... And dinner is done and cleaned away - yep early dinner all done before 5pm!!

I will say not everyday is like this - some days are a couch potato day, where I catch up on emails, TRY and write a few words, line or if my girls allow a chapter of my book :)

But today, with the sun shining, I wanted to try my hand at making a crate - which will house some fresh spring flowers.

Before I start, I will say I didn't take pictures of each step -- but here is a  link to another post to see the basic way I made this crate.

I had some spare wood which I cut into:

 4 same sized long pieces for the sides

 2 same sized for ends (pine wood) which were about 1 inch wider than my other end pieces of wood

2 same sized for ends (the smaller dark wood)

4 same sized pine wood for the bottom

2 scrap pieces of wood for the inside to stabilize the crate

2 handles (which I had lying around)

Black Paint Pen

Benjamin Moore, Arcadia White Paint

Nails, Screws & a Hammer

What I did was to make 2 separate boxes using 2 long and 2 shorter pieces of wood. 

Nailing them together.

( Click on this link follow pictures 4 -6 to see how to make the box)

Then setting the one box with the larger sized end piece of wood upside down on top of the other box and using the scrap wood, I nailed them in place.

Once that was made I painted it. It took 3 coats in total.

I didn't even worry about paint blotches or runs - I wanted this to NOT be perfect.

Then I drew on some numbers and used the Black Paint Pen to color them in.

Then I screwed some handles on and popped in some of my favorite spring flowers which has brightened our little living area up.

I LOVE how it turned out 

 Even though I'm not the best carpenter.

Easy Wood Crate

If you want to know how to make the yellow picture frame tray/chalkboard that is under the wooden crate

CLICK HERE

The only thing I did differently was

 add handles and add a cloth backing to it using a Staple Gun

These are the pictures for the yellow Picture Frame Chalkboard Tray 

Look closely at the bottom, you can see the 4 smaller sized wood which made the bottom base.

 I nailed that to the bottom box.

Here you can see the small pots of flowers fit just right. 

And on the inside, you can see the 2 scraps of wood holding the 2 boxes together.

You can make any sized crates

 Just measure the size of your flower pots your gonna use and  off you go. 

Read more >>

Picture Frame Makeover

An easy makeover for an old picture frame that I picked up from the thrift store, for 50c.

Using left over paint and a little bit of elbow grease, the whole thing cost $1.50

This is how it looked before

Cute kid!!

I pulled off the backing and you can see, it left some on there, so I took some warm water and a sponge,

And soaked the card, until I could scrap it off.

But it still had some sticky gunk left from the adhesive that was used. Use Goo Gone - it does a great job of getting gunk off stuff. Once all off, I gave it a wipe down with warm soapy water and left it too dry.

Left over Valspar tester paint called Columbus White. I gave the frame 3 light coats.

Pop in some cardstock chalk art, I did the night before. Add some cast iron handles and you have a usable tray. Although for now mine is on display, rather than being used. But you never know, maybe It will be used on Valentines day!!

Here is where it sits, looking all pretty sitting on top of another picture frame turned into a tray, which I made last year.  Click Here to see that post. 

Read more >>

Chalkboard Picture Frames - Trick or Treat

  BOO! YA...

 Chalkboard Picture frames are super easy to make.

I have a spot in our kitchen that was begging for...something. I had some picture frames, I found at the local thrift store St. Vincent de Paul for $1.50 each. What a sweet deal.

First I gave took the glass out from the back and washed it. Then gave it one coat of Chalkboard paint and let it dry for 4 hours before giving it a 2nd coat.

*TIP: when applying 2nd coat, do it in the opposite direction of the 1st coat.

Next I spray painted the frames with black 'Krylon Primer & Paint' in a can and let them dry. I only did one coat.

When the frames were dry, I used Ivory 'Krylon Primer & Paint' in a can, over the black and let that dry. Giving a total of two lighter coats.

When the frames were completely dry, I used steel wool, to distress the wood around the edges. ( Forgot pictures of this stage- but you can see how it looks in the finished picture)

After 3 days - allowing the chalk paint to dry completely, I conditioned it, by simply rubbing chalk all over the board and then erasing it. Then you're ready to do chalk art!

I love how mine turned out - and what's great about it, is all you do is simply wipe off & do more art for every holiday or a favorite quote.

I used a small screw at the top of the cabinet door and Command Velcro Strips for the bottom, enabling me to still open & close the door.

Here is how those boring, brown cabinet doors look like, now!!

Happy Halloween!

I found a design I liked, and then made it my own, with my own free hand,

 The Pumpkin I used Plain Chalk, the one on the right, I used Bistro Chalk Marker - from Hobby Lobby-Here

HAPPY CHALKBOARD PAINTING!

Read more >>