Another Chalkboard

We all love chalkboard paint! 

I made a HUGE new chalkboard for my den.

I had kept my eye out for a really big picture or painting that I could turn into a chalkboard and I found one at a yard sale for only $2.00.  I thought the details of the frame were perfect. 

I had forgot take a "before" picture.  The frame was a gold leaf and I had already started spray painting the painting before I went to grab my camera.  Here is what I started with.



( I don't know why blogger keeps rotating the picture.  Ugh )


This is what I ended up with.

I  am in LOVE with how it turned out.  This is also my first time using a glaze and I think it all works together nicely.  Please ignore the notty pine...I have plans to change that.  Just give me some time.



Sneak Peak

How many projects can one have going on at the same time? 

:)

Right now I have started 3.5 projects.  I say .5 because I have one idea laid out but I have not actually started it yet.

Here is a sneak peak of what is going on at my house right now.

Distress Ink :)

So many of you crafters out there have been using this stuff.

Some of you distress the edges of paper, use it to as paint, and for stamping.

All kinds of things.

 This past weekend I went here

and purchased some of my very own distress ink.

Sweet!  That makes me happy.  :)

Be Thankful

All the GREAT blogs out there have been very inspiring lately!

Over at Tatertots & Jello Jen made this very pretty sign out of an old cabinet door.  So...I made one for myself. 



Tatertots & Jello



 Here is my version.  I don't have circuit to cut out vinyl letters, nor did I have an old cabinet door.  But I did have full sheet clear labels and an old picture frame.  So I dry brushed my frame black and I printed out my Be Thankful sign on my clear label.  I stuck the label right to the glass and added some fabric behind it.  Now I have my very own Be Thankful sign as well.

**Sorry if the pics I blurry...I didn't notice that till I had put the disc in my computer.**

Blogs I'm reading today

 diary of a craftaholic

at second street

money saving mom

endless crafting

crazy domestic

the diy showoff

Go check them out!

Brass Lamps + Spray Paint = New Lamps

I had picked up two rusty brass lamps from a flea market for FREE.  I took them home not knowing if they worked or not.  To my delight when I plugged them up, the light bulb came on!  Sweet!  (that really is what I said)

I failed to take a before picture.  I wish you could have seen these lamps.  The bottom was rusted and by all means, they should have been headed to the dump.  I cleaned them up the best I could.  I used a wire brush to get the loose rust off.  I primed them and painted them a glossy black. 

I painted several things this day.  Stay tuned for the other stuff.

I LURVE the glossy black!

The finished product!  They are so sleek and pretty.  The lamp shades were only $5.00!!  You cannot beat that price either.

Now I just have to find a place for these two lamps. 

I don't really think that will be too much trouble.





Which Project will I do first?

Life has been busy...that happens with everyone I know. 

I have not cratfted in a couple of weeks. 

Tonight I plan on starting something, anything.

Here are a few thing that I want to get done.

All the blogs out there inspire me.

I hope I am able to inspire some of you.

I picked up two lamps for free a while back.

They need some love and care.

Hopefully after I'm done, they will be as pretty as this one.

http://guinsyard.wordpress.com/



 Isn't this idea just perfect for Halloween!

I would love, love to make this for my little girl. 

http://craftedition.blogspot.com/



Yesterday at the consignment shop I found a funky 70's tie that I thought was perfect for something like this.  I also found a t-shirt to match.  My son loves ties.  How cute will he be in his own applicated tie t-shirt?

http://www.saltwater-kids.com/





Family Blocks

I have a couple of adorable nieces that live far from all of their extended family.  Since they don't get to see all of us very much I thought "Family Blocks" would be a great birthday present for these two little girls. 

 I started out with the following supplies:

2x2 stick of wood

mode podge glue

decorative paper

pictures of all the family

black spray paint

scissors

assorted colors of acrylic paints

an old ice cream bucket to hold the blocks

 I have a wonderful friend who cut the stick into 25 blocks for me(Thanks Dennis).  I then spray painted them black.  I waited 24 hours and I started decorating the blocks.

 It was a fun project that took a little time but it was well worth it.  It cost less than $15 dollar to make as well.  I only had to buy the wood and pictures. All the other items I had on hand already.

 I had to decorate the container as well! 

This was one little happy girl. 

She will share the blocks with her sister I'm sure. 



 

**This idea is not my own.  Stories by Me! does some great "block" work.  Check her out!

Hand Prints

 

I made these three prints and I'm so glad I did.

I put all three of them above my fire place. This is what I started with.  Handprints of all my kids, 11x14 frames, mattes, fabric, mod podge, & scissors.

I wrapped the mattes in some very colorful fabric.  I glued it down with my mod podge.

I love having their handprints.  It is something I can keep forever.

Cool Vintage Looking Letters

I was in the store Earth Trader a couple of weeks ago and they had these letters that I just loved. Below is a picture of what they sorta looked like. Except in the store, they were just single letters and they sold for $5 each. Now I could have paid $20 but I am trying to stick to my budget and I thought I could make them on my own. So here is what I did....

I got my supplies together:

Mod Podge

Paint Brush

Cut Magazine Strips

Stain

Scrap Panel Boards

I cut HEEB out of my scrap panel board using my jig saw. Then, using my mod podge,I applied my magazine strips to all of my letters and let it dry.

After about 24 hours, it was good and dry. So I used my a sharp razor blade and cut off the excess magazine strips. I applied a thin coat of stain onto of the letters. The white didn't look so white and the letters had more of vintage look. I then applied 3 coats of mod podge on top waiting for each coat to dry.


Here is my finished project. I like it and that is all that matters.

A friend of mine had the idea of using newspapers. I like that idea too.

Old New Canisters

I found these great canisters for FREE. I love free things.

With a little paint, love, and time...I will have something new in my kitchen.

I keep forgetting to take "before" photos. By the time I remembered I already spray painted the wooden lids black. You might not be able to tell by the picture but these are really orange. Straight from early 1970's.

Here is my finished project. With some off white & black spray paint, card stock, and mod podge...I have new canisters.

Once I have it all done in my kitchen I will take pictures of how I displayed it all. It is coming together nicely.

Remaking of our Knife Holder

I recieved this butcher block type knife holder 13 years ago as a wedding present. I thought it could use a little color in our new RED kitchen.

So the kids and I started by roughing it up a bit.

She was my little helper and did a great job.


This is our finished project. We painted it black and then added a clear coat.
I used some Mod Podge and added the word knife to the front.
I added some stain over the letters so they looked like wood and blended in.
I love how it all turned out.

Anything can be Spraypainted (Well, almost anything)

I spray paint lots of things. Here's a short list of some things I personally have spray painted:

• Pumpkins
• Curtain Rod
• Picture Frames
• Canvas
• Desk
• Chair
• Mirror Frame
• Sconces
• Shelves
  

I'm sure I could add a few more items to the list but I said I would keep it short.

I like spray paint for the easy use of it all. I don't like having to mess with the brushes and and the clean up of them. It is a very durable product and covers really well. To use spray paint, it is really very simple. Be sure to read the can and make sure the material you want to paint is listed on the can. There are different kinds of spray paint out there and make sure you get the right one.

I also like spray paint for the color varieties out there. You can get white, pink, neon green, baby blue, purple, gold, silver, or any other kind of color that fits your fancy. It come in gloss, semi-gloss, and flat just like paint in a can does.

When you get ready to paint something, remember to make sure item is clean and free of any dust or any grime. Also make sure the surface is at you want it. Do you need to sand the wood down or fill in any in any cracks? Need to think of those kinds of things. Once your item is prepped and clean, you are ready to paint. Be sure and paint in a well ventilated area.

I believe it is best to do a few light coats on your items so you will be able to get a smooth surface. One of the best things to help you do a good job is the spray paint can handle attachment. I have purchased several of these over the years. I normally them at my local Hobby Lobby for $1.00. Really helps make the job easy, simple, and fast.

Happy painting and remember to have fun!