Sunday, February 26, 2012

Galvanized Magnet Board ~

I was really liking the whole "getting organized" thing with my chalkboard mail holder, so I had a brainstorm to make a magnet board to go over my stove to hold recipes, grocery lists, etc...


I bought this cute frame a few months ago for $3.99 at a Salvation Army store ~ it's just been sitting in a closet ever since waiting for a purpose...
~*~ 
Also, this beautiful blog with a spray painted magnet board got me to thinking that I can use galvanized steel myself since I work for a steel company and all! Anyway, her project is beautiful and I could never make anything that amazing. Check it out!
~* ~

I tore off the backing, measured my frame, and off I went on my merry way to work ~ They probably think I'm even crazier than they already did. Girls crafting with steel!


They found me a small galvanized piece just laying in a pile of scraps, and cut it to fit into the frame exactly. Isn't that so nice? Free too!

I cleaned the steel with hot soapy water as there was a lot of oil on there. I dried it immediately but I was told if you want a more rustic farm bucket look, which I did, I could just let the steel stay wet for a while and then it will get white rust. I was a little too nervous to try that this time. I want to make more of these for presents, and I'm definitely going to make it rust next time. I love that look!


I bought this super cute bird stencil at Hobby Lobby (with a 40% off coupon of course).


I painted over the stencil with a foam roller brush. Next time I think I'll try spray paint, but it's been a little too cold outside for me to even attempt that right now.

I had to scrape off a lot of excess paint with a razor blade that bled under the stencil. I'm telling myself that it just adds a little more to the "rustic" look.


I hung this all by myself ~ I'm pretty proud about that! 

(please ignore the ugly apartment cupboards, I know I always do)!


I bought the super cute magnets at Michael's, 3 for a $1 with 20% off your entire purchase (Happy Presidents Day sale to me).  

Happy crafting everyone!

Love,



Saturday, February 18, 2012

Chalkboard mail holder project ~

Hello everybody!

I bought this much needed mail/bill holder months ago from my favorite antique store back home, Changing Thymes ~ check out their beautiful blog here

The one thing that I didn't really like about it was the mirror ~ I've found that I have lots of mirrors in our home and in my decor in general. I'm not sure why...I'm starting to feel a little self conscious about it though!

Enter my chalkboard spray paint idea...of making a message board. It will be a lot more useful than another mirror that's for sure!

The before photo ~


Even though this is a pretty wood color and it's originally from pottery barn I just have to leave my mark on it...


I covered the entire unpainted piece with painters tape and then spray painted with Krylon chalkboard spray paint. Two coats over two days (I really wanted to let it dry completely).


The most nerve wracking part was removing the painter's tape around the edges...there was a little but of mirror showing through but nothing major that the white paint and a little more spray paint won't cover...


Two coats of  Rusto-leum American Accents Heritage White paint

The after photo ~


I forgot to take pictures of the sanding and then antique/glazing part, but you've seen me do all of that before. I went with the brown acrylic craft paint over the wood stain once again, and I have to say I like the acrylic paint version better.

~*~

I also made myself a 'Mail' label. 

I'm a little obsessed with numbers and labels...



Anyway...

~*~

I love my new chalkboard markers! So colorful and fun...They're nice too, if you have an aversion to the feeling and sound of chalk like I do! 


A good reminder for every day from I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Love,


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!



I hope my niece and nephews love their (late) valentine's day cards and stickers...they're my little sweetheart valentine's! 


They remind me of the children on the card so I just had to get these cards this year!

Happy Valentine's Day to my other sweetheart!


Awww! 
This is one of our engagement photos ~ weren't we precious?!


Happy Valentine's Day everyone!