Easy Thrift Store Chalkboard

At Christmas (I know, this is a little late!) we exchange names among my siblings for gifts. I drew my sisters name, and we both have a passion for all things Jane Austen!  So I was searching up ideas, and came across this book which I never got to read but I heard from her that it's a fun book:

The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman

See, she just moved out on her own, so who couldn't use a little Jane Austen advice on life?!  

I also thought I wanted to make her a chalkboard (there, I finally got around to my point!) for her new place.  Who doesn't need a chalkboard.  They have cute ones out there on sale, but I was on a budget for this Christmas gift so I had to work magic to stay within that budget.  

I searched the thrift store and came across this old calendar box for $3.99!

Have you ever had one of these calendar boxes in your house?  Or do you still??

I picked out a pretty blue acrylic paint that I already had on hand, and coated the entire board except in the middle where I was going to put the chalkboard paint.

Next I found this recipe to make chalkboard paint on pinterest:

I cup of acrylic paint + 2 Tbsp grout.

I cut this recipe in half for my project and had lots!

Did you know that you can buy chalkboard paint in the store. $8 for a tiny can, or you can make it with a few supplies on hand!

After painting the chalkboard paint on I waited for it to dry, and rubbed chalk all over it to break it in.

Here it is:

I did my best at making fancy chalk letters.  Not as easy as others make it look!

Does this quote make anyone else smile?!  

I think it is such a funny line especially the way Tom Hollander says it!

What a cheap project to make:

Calendar Board: $3.99 (thrift store)

Acrylic Paint: Free (on hand small craft paint tube)

Grout: Free (on hand)

TOTAL = $3.99

So, will chalkboards go out of style soon?  It seems like they are everywhere!

And yet, I still don't have one in my house...

Painting Frank and Bing!

I came across a picture of a LARGE painting of a face with a man screaming, and I thought I want to make one of those!  But I wanted people I love and happy ones!

I LOVE Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby... do you?  Oh those swooning songs...  I listen to them way too often (ask my kids!)

So I decided to add them to my home.  But to make a statement I went on a big scale.  

Here is my process:

- I found two large canvas's

- Found the pictures on the internet of Frank and Bing and printed them off

- Then I went and photocopied my pictures onto transparent paper and blew them up with a projector

- Drew them on with pencil

And here is what I had so far:

Here is a close up:

I painted them with just black first.

Then I added the grey and DONE!  

I make it sound so easy don't I?  Well it was! and completely relaxing.  It did take me a few days on an off.

I love Frank in his hat.  It's the perfect character I need.

And Bing's bow tie is the perfect touch to old fashion as well.

I told you they were BIG!

I think I will hang them in my office.  I love how they are having such a jolly 'ol time!

Mr & Mrs Pillows

So my younger brother is getting married, and we are having a bridal shower this weekend for his fiance.  So I have been thinking about what I  could make, and came up with these:

This is what I started out with:

These pillows I got from Ikea

Then I also found some fabric from there, and it was the perfect kind, and what do you know... it was on sale 1.99 a meter!  So I bought 2 and a half meters.

I found on this other website that you can use Freezer Paper for this kind of project!  I didn't even know what freezer paper was or looked like, but sure enough it was down my grocery store aisle!

Now when I was finding a font I liked I had a choice between 20 fonts and can you believe I could only make it as large as it shows on my printer paper below!  So, I had to draw it by hand with a ruler onto the dull side of the freezer paper.

Then I used an exacto knife to cut out my letters.  I did this on top of a cereal box so I wouldn't cut my table (not that it would matter, my table is in pretty rough shape!  Didn't you see the photo with the pillows on my table!).

Then I put the shiny side of the freezer paper down on the fabric and ironed it on to the center of my pillow.  The iron makes the paper stick so that all edges of my stencil were flat for when I started to paint.

I bought this fabric spray at Walmart (I didn't see any other choices then the spray, but it worked great!)

I sprayed my letterings and let dry for FOUR hours.  I kept peeking I was so excited to just work on it.  After four hours I peeled it off, and was very pleased at the minimal out of line splotches.

3 hours of sewing (I am sure that is not a normal amount of time for anyone else for sewing a pillow, but ... I wanted it perfect), and I had fabric flying in all directions!

But here is the happy little pillows that my sister in law to be will be getting for her gift:

I left the edges raw for a casual look.

Cost:

Pillows: $5.99 each

Fabric: $4.50 (for 2 1/2 meters)

Fabric Spray: $4.97

Freezer Paper: $5.00

Total: $20.46

And I am happy to say that this was so fun and now I have enough fabric spray and freezer paper left over to do some more projects with them!!  Why didn't I get more fabric that was so FUN!

Valance With A Ribbon

I know, I know... my titles are lame, but I do it for you, you know.  That way if you ever want to refer back to a project you can type in what it was called in my search box to the right and it will most likely be the first project that pops up.  Try it!

I usually like to have my post up first thing in the morning on Monday, but well... my kids are out of school now, and well... I slept in!!  It felt great!  It was only until 7:30, but I am back into routine tomorrow (5:30-gym).

Okay, on with it...

I sewed these valance curtains awhile ago, but never finished stitching up the sides.  So that's what I finished up, and I thought I would explain the process along the way.

First, I bought this pretty fabric from the store (on sale of course), it was $15, and it coordinates with my girls bedspreads.  I took a long piece of fabric, that went the length of the curtain rod over their window.  Leaving an inch extra on each side to hem.

Recognize the fabric?  This is the fabric that I had leftovers from to make these ribbon covered chairs (click here if you missed them).

I actually matched my thread to the fabric (sometimes, I am too lazy, and like to use what I have on hand, but for this, I made an exception).

Here is where I attached another piece onto the valance, because I wanted my stripes vertical, so I needed to add more fabric.

I folded over the bottom twice, and hemmed it, to make it clean cut.  This is the bottom of the valance, so it has a small hem.

The top of the valance I made to go right over the curtain rod, ends and all, so it was a lot thicker.

Here is the side view, I can stick the whole rod in with the ends on because I don't want to have to detach the ends when I have to take off the valance (whenever that would be...)

To make the side look like a puff, rather than fall flat I hand stitched just a few stitches, starting from the front, because I wanted the bottom of the puff to flip under, not out.

I stitched about 7 stitches, that were one inch apart so it would be a loose bunch.

If my fingertips looked orange in the photo above it's because (no I do not have nasty nails) I was peeling carrots to take on our picnic this morning.

I pulled the stitches together and tied a knot when I had them bunched the way I wanted them.

Finally I bought this pink ribbon from the dollar store, and wrapped it around the front and back of the valance, and tied it at the bottom.

There you have it.  Cute bunches, and a cute ribbon tie.  Heehee, finally I got the ends done.

I am thinking of hanging some sheer white curtains behind these, and tying them with a bow as well.  Just to give it a more finished look.

What do you think?  Do you like this style too?  

I think they are perfect in my daughter's room.



I am linking to the parties on my top menu bar.

A Summer Mantel

I decided to freshen up my fireplace mantel with the warmer weather.  I love things that look like they belong outside.  I found this... hmm... I don't know, what would you call this?  It was on clearance at Homesense (have I mentioned before this is my favourite store!!)  Regular $29.99 on for $11.00.

I found these cool moss balls at the dollar store.  I got all these balls for $1.00!  Yes, I have been seeing all the crafty and creative ones around the web lately, but for one dollar, and I didn't even have to make them  I grabbed them.

On one of my thrift store trips I found this planter pot for $1.99.  It's a nice bronze colour.  I knew I could use it.

So I stuffed the moss balls into the... (no seriously, what do I call this thing?)

I had just enough moss balls to fill "it" (the glass thing with no name) from top to bottom.

Ooooh, I'm liking it.

I had this fake plant from Ikea in my bedroom, until I painted my room, and then it no longer looked good in there.  But I love the plant and it has found a new home.

See, it fits perfectly!

Okay, a small change, but fun, and something I can bring out each spring and summer to freshen up my mantel.  It looks so natural, I don't even remember what I had there before this!

Yay Summer!

What do you think?  Do you like my little set up?

His & Hers Hooks

So, onto the second bridal shower gift...  If you missed the first, it's here.  I started out with these two wooden plaques that I got at the Michael's Craft Store.  They were $2.69 each.

I primed them and painted them white.  I figured I would make the project a black and white theme, since that is what she is going with for her wedding colours.

I remembered a stamp I bought that I love, and hadn't used for anything yet, and this was the perfect project to use it for.  I painted the stamp with black paint and blotted on paper towel to make it a lighter more distressed shade.  Although, this picture I have posted below was before I decided it needed to be lighter (I had to make a quick fix!).

I bought these knobs and two back plates at Home Depot for $1.48 (knob), $.98 (back plate).

Of course I wanted these to match too, so I painted them black as well.

I had a friend make some vinyl up to say "HIS" "HERS", and the little stinker wouldn't let me pay for it!  But supposedly it would only cost a couple bucks (so keep that in mind- still cheap)

Lastly, I drilled a hole in the back to screw in the knob and back plate.

Okay...   ahh, are you ready for it!

Voila!

And there you have it!

I forgot to mention that I am putting a thing on the back (I can't think of the name of it - but I know what it is in my mind), so that you can hang these on the wall, and with the little knobs you can hang anything off them... towels, bathrobe, jewelry, ties, whatever!!

I am pleasantly pleased with myself.  Cute!!!  Well, enough of me, I hope you get inspired!!

Cost:

Wooden Plaques: $2.69 each

Back Plate: $.98 each

Knob: $1.48 each

Stamp: Had on hand

Leveling Hanger (the hook on the back): $1.49 (set of 6)

Vinyl: from a friend

Total: $11.79

I am linking to the parties on my sidebar.