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 >>

Homemade White Board Calender

In the past I've bought white board calendars and if you're like me, I find them to be a little small for what I need. With that in mind and my old one taking early retirement in the trash, it was time I made my own.

I bought a cheap plexiglass picture frame. $11.99 on sale at hobby lobby.

 I went with a long and narrow size, as I had a certain space for it.

I disassembled it and using the cardboard backing, I painted it

Use three coats, leaving drying time in between coats.

Use any white paint.

Hanging above my calender, are birthday tags, which are super easy to make.

Pre bought wood shape, form hobby lobby for $1.47 a pack pre drill holes to hang them from

Paint both sides, using Chalkpaint. (which I already had) Three times each side -- remember to alternate which way you paint each time, that way you have a smooth  chalkboard surface.

Once the paint has dried on your whiteboard, it's time to mark out the squares.

(I actually made a template on a separate piece of paper before hand)

Measure equal squares

Draw your lines

Then, draw your squares and header for the month. 

I used a black paint pen to outline the squares and the days of the week etc.

I also added a cute saying along the top, which says:

Count your many blessings, name them one by one.

Once my birthday tags were dry, I painted the Month, using a white paint pen I used chalk soapstone and wrote all my family birthdays on them.

I bought my chalk soapstone from Crate & Barrel for $1.50 each! Needless to say I bought a ton, and I love how easy they write, you can sharpen them easily, and they rub off with ease.

I screwed little hook's into my shelf and hung my birthday tags up, using simple twine.

There you have it,  a cheaper, they way I wanted it White board Calender for $16.50

Homemade Whiteboard Calender

Easy to read and write on, wipe off, using whiteboard markers.

Super easy, afternoon craft.

Read more >>

My Valentines Chalk Art

Here is my stab at  Chalk Art for Valentines 2014.

I hope to do a lot better next year :)

This one hangs in my bathroom, When I painted over the green color, I tried the Petroleum Jelly applied first before spray painting, then wiping it off once the paint is dry.....BUT..the more I look at it...I will most likely paint it again so it doesn't look like a red spotted Dalmatian dog :/

I used a mixture of both chalk and Chalk markers for these two - it's fun trying our the colored chalk markers, although the purple one..was a little devil. It wanted to leave big blobs or not work at all, talk about temperamental!! Well, sounds a little like me! LOL

I Love the simplicity of this Picture Tray frame. For this one I chose not to paint Chalkpaint on the glass, but instead I painted the back cover, this way I can wipe off little grubby finger marks as the glass is protecting the wording.

Although just by looking at it you'd think I'd used Chalkpaint, but NO.....I used black scrapbook cardstock cut down to size, then used a Chalkpaint marker to write the words. And what's more I can re-use every year and change it out for every holiday just by using cardstock - plus I won't have to wipe it off each time , just store in a folder till next year....so that makes it cheap and reusable :)

Read more >>

Rustic Thanksgiving Sign

'TIS The Season'

For

Giving Thanks

November is the month we 'Give Thanks'

So with that in mind, my craft minded, mind  (gosh 3 mind's in that sentence, oops now 4 lol)

Set in motion to see what I can come up with for my front 'porchish' display.

Albeit, there's not much I can do with College Student Apartments & 'Fire Hazard'

So my display had to be on the smaller scale.

I'd picked up some wood crates a while back from my local grocery store 3 for $10 !! What a steal. Which I used & I also found a tall Wooden Ladder at the local thrift store for $5 !! Again a steal, ESP as I have wanted a Wooden Ladder since seeing in used as Home Decor! Which I will do 'When we have our own home' once Jason is done with his Masters.

I set up my front display and knew there was something missing.

What was missing? A Simple Wording Sign. And this is a quick and easy sign to make It took me
 30 MINUTES TO MAKE!!

So rummaging through my wood pile (albeit small) I found a piece which would work for what I wanted to use for my sign.

 I gave the wood a very light spray of Ivory Primer & Paint first.

Then using the cheapest Walmart Spray Paint, I gave the wood 3 coats and let it dry.

Once dried, I marked where I wanted to drill my holes for the twine.

I threaded the Twine and knotted it.

I tied the twine, big enough so it wouldn't slip through the hole.

Once you have done the one side, do the same for the side.

I then used simple chalk and drew my outline.

The using my White Bistro Chalk Marker, I filled my wording in.

Here is my finished Rustic Thanksgiving Sign

Read more >>