Spray Paint Obsession: framed chalkboard

So I've been working on this project for quite some time. Just needed to buy and cut ply board . . . so that's why it took forever. Anyway, I walked into my favorite thrift store in vegas, months ago, and saw this frame on the top shelf. I asked how much it was and the guy said $5. I'll take it! Although it was a beautiful painting (they had painted this picture on the glass - - is there a name for that type of art?) I just wanted that frame. Imagine that.

And what was I going to do with it? Well, I wanted to make it into a chalkboard for my daughter to put in the livingroom. I know. I know. I have an obsession with chalkboard spraypaint. I had the perfect spot for it though.

So . . . I removed the glass painting (still have it - - not sure what to do with it),

spray painted the frame white with a few coats,

bought ply board and cut to size of glass,

spraypainted with chalkboard spraypaint with at least 2 coats,

placed the ply board in the frame and placed nails around it so it would stay in.

And there you have it. A fancy, little chalkboard for my daughter to color on that's hidden behind the couch . . . so she'll stop coloring on our hdtv (no joke).

Have you ever used chalkboard spraypaint?

linking to:

You're So Crafty Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Making the World Cuter Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up, Made by You Mondays, Metamorphosis Monday, Made it Monday, The DIY Project Parade, It's so very Creative

Home Decor Obsession: frame within a frame

I love the idea of a frame within a frame (very sorry - don't know to who I should credit this photo - I'd saved it awhile ago when I didn't keep track).

I decided to do my own version of a frame within a frame. We have a large wall in our living room that needed some spicing up. We had a few picture frames, but it was just blah. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I have a friend that did something similar to this, to one of her photos and it looks very classy.

I found this cool frame at a thrift store for about $3. The color theme of our living room is tan with white and turqoise accents. I thought this would be perfect. So I taped the turqoise trim off and then spray painted away (first using a few coats of spray paint prime and then a few coats of white spray paint).

And here is the after picture:

Have you done anything cool with a frame, lately?

Spray Paint Obsession: chalkboard canvas

I love Pottery Barn. But there's just one little 'ole problem. I can't afford to shop there. So . . the reason I continue to get their catalogs (free, by the way) are for ideas. Ideas for home decor, ideas for birthday parties, etc.

One day I was looking through the catalog and saw this cute buffet topped with yummy breakfast items. Love it. But there was something I loved even more. I loved the quote above the buffet that was written on chalkboard. Ding! Ding! Ding!

So this is what inspired me to create the chalkboard canvas. Something to hang in my home that was inexpensive, easy, quick, and fun to make.

So here's my chalkboard canvas tutorial:

First go out and buy some chalkboard spray paint. This is the only kind I've ever used (so I'm not sure if it's the best or not . . . but it works). I think I bought it at Joanns Fabrics (about $5-$6).


Then buy canvas. You get to determine the size. I bought 11x14. (get the cheapest as possible - - they can be a little expensive, so use a coupon)

In a well ventilated area spray paint your canvas well (in a sweeping motion). Make sure you got it everywhere, but you don't want there to be so much that it's dripping or running. Let dry for a few hours and then spray paint again. (needs to have at least two coats to create a chalkboard finish).

After 24 hours of drying you can finally write on it. But first rub the full area with the side of chalk and then erase surface (to break it in).

I stapled (on the back) the tops to the bottoms so it'd be easier to hang.


I've decided to write quotes pertaining to each month or maybe when guests come to town to personalize it a little bit. Oh. And I totally wish I had amazing handwriting like this cute girl here. That's not one of my talents though. Don't worry, I'm gonna get rid of the cheesy hearts in the corner. It looks like a 12 yr. old did that (no offense to any 12 yr. olds out there. :)

Spray Paint Obsession: living room chandelier

During the summer, I was looking on craigslist for a cute chandelier to hang in our living room. There was a post from an electrician that was selling 3 grey chandeliers for $40 (that's $13.33 each!). He said that they all worked and that he had just taken them out of a house that he was working on. So. . . we trusted him. And we bought them. My husband picked them up for me. When I saw them, I couldn't believe how big they were! (the picture made them all look small!) So, we've had them sitting in our garage for the past 3 months and I decided to finally do something with one of them.

So, I got the spray paint out and primed with 2 coats (Valspar primer). And then spray painted 2 coats of Valspar satin (this probably took me 2 weeks to finish, cause I was being lazy!! But having Thanksgiving guests motivated me.)

And I'm loving the look! I think it makes our living room so elegant. I'm still thinking about whether I should just leave it plain like this or maybe hang a few crystal thingies on it. What do you think? Leave it or dress it up?

Giveaway results: price my spot

So. I know you have all been in suspense. You want to know what I paid for this cute Pottery Barn-ish spot. But I just want to say how fun it was to see what everyone thought I bought them for. I guess I need to step up my game a little, cause most of you guessed pretty low. I wish I were that good. Anyway. Here goes . . .

Mirror: I found this mirror in my favorite little thrift store in Vegas. I guess I have a thing for mirrors, cause I walked in the front of the store and immediately saw it all the way at the back. I was hoping the price agreed with me. And holy moley. It did! It was . . $15 (background music of heavenly choirs singing)! Yes way. I didn't even have to wheeler-dealer!

I didn't buy it that day. I told my sis-in-law that they had to get it for their daughter's room that they were re-doing. It would be perfect. But I couldn't talk her into it. So. What's a girl to do? I went back the next day thinking that if it was still there. . . it was meant to be mine. I think I have a love affair with mirrors. And whatdaya know? It was there. I was thinking about making it into a chalkboard for little girl A's room, but quickly decided it'd go perfect in the family room. (You should have seen me take this from Vegas to Cali in our Ford Fusion. It was quite a sight.)

And it does. I didn't even spray paint it (imagine that). I love it's weathered, rough edged look.

Desk: I found this at the same little thrift shop that I found the mirror at. I loved it. I imagined it to be in a little nook or in little girl A's room. Or maybe under a beautiful, weathered mirror.

The price tag said $50. No way. I asked the store manager if I could buy it for $15. There was one right next to it that was similar (I think plastic though) and cost $15. She said she'd give it to me for $20 (due to it being real wood). Score! I sanded it down, primed, and then spray painted a few times. I went to Target to look for a knob that looked more elegant than the wooden knob. I chose this one and it looks perfect! It was $4.99.

Decor thingy: I went to a Goodwill store in Vegas and discovered that this paritcular Goodwill had a bunch of Target items. Tags were on them still. I guess items that were on clearance that never sold? Anyway, I loved this decor thingy the moment I saw it. I bought it for $4.99!It was dk. blue though. It didn't fit anywhere, with the color it was, so . . . I got out the spray paint. I primed it first and then spray painted a few times. I love it!

So that brings the grand total to : $44.98

And who is the lucky winner? Well, the winner is Stofam! (could you leave your e-mail address in the comment section? Thanks!) Here's what she said:

"Amy! I am already a blog follower and LOVE all your ideas! I cant wait to be in a house of our own so we can paint and spruce up the place. I think you paid $38 bucks for all 3 pieces! Oh, and just so you know who I am, I grew up with your hubby!!"

Congrats! And thanks for playing everyone!

Spray Paint Obsession: chalkboard tray

Shhhh. It's a secret. I have an obsession with chalkboard spraypaint. And I have quite a few projects that I've been working on that I can't wait to show you.

So . . . you know those breakfast trays that you may . . . or may not be using? Well, we have two of them that were collecting dust in some corner (although I think everyone should have breakfast in bed every single day). I had forgetten about them until we moved. And I had the perfect idea!!! Why not make a little chalkboard tray for little A for Christmas? I mean, today she did draw on the screen of our HDTV (you should have seen my hubby's face when I told him what happend - - no worries though, it came off, although if you look very closely, you can see the beautiful indented picture she drew). And, plus, you could still use it as a breakfast tray.

-I brought out my oh-so-trusty chalkboard spraypaint (there's also chalkboard paint you can buy and you can even make it yourself if you want to - - just check on the internet)

- using painters tape, I taped all the edges (so I wouldn't get spray paint on the wood)

-then I spray painted two coats. easy peasy.

Before you spray paint with the chalkboard paint, you could even prime and spraypaint the wood with some amazing color. I thought of that afterwards. I could still do it though. I do have a ton of pink spray paint that I used on little A's bow holder. Maybe. We'll see.

But I do know that she will love it when she opens it on Christmas morning. And I think my hubby will too - for the sake of his HDTV.

Thrift Store Obsession: mirror love affair

So, I'm obviously into saving some dinero. Who isn't these days. Well, I had discovered some amazing thrift stores in Vegas (where I lived previously) and am currently trying to find equally amazing thrift stores in my new hometown. But here is one of my finds and the story that goes along with it:

Date: August 2009

Where: Goodwill in Las Vegas

As I am walking to the store . . . I see the most amazing back of a mirror. Yes. I said the back of a mirror. I knew at that moment that it was mine. My eyes were huge and my mouth agape. Nobody else could have it. It had to be mine. I knew right where I would place it in our new home. And I was hoping, hoping, hoping that it was in my price range. So I walk into the store non-chalantly and casually walk over to the mirror. I loved it. The front was even better to look at. I could feel my pulse throughout my entire body as I turned the tag over to see what the price was . . . $30. Argghhh. For most people, this is a pretty good deal. But I didn't want to buy it for $30. Wonder if I could talk the salesclerk down. Now . . . you gotta understand that I had just finished reading a book by Richard Paul Evans (the Christmas box guy) titled "The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me" (no laughing allowed). One of the keys was that you've gotta learn the 7 most important words. No. It's not . . . "can I have cheese with that, please". The 7 most important words that a financially, successful person must learn are . . . "is that the best you can do". (now I know you're counting on your hand if that's 7 words. it is. trust me.) So . . . little ole me decided to do some bargaining. Now. For anyone who knows me, you know that me would never walk into a store and start bargaining. That's just not me . . . until now that is. So one of the sales clerks (who appeared to be the store manager) asks me if I need any help. Well, why yes. Yes I do.

me: "I really love that mirror, but don't want to pay that much for it "(okay, so I didn't use the 7 actual words, but this worked just as well.)

sales clerk: " oh. okay. let me see what I can do. " (looks at the price. appears to be thinking. looks at the price again.)

me: (hands fumbling and feeling very nervous and a little stupid . . . I never do this)

sales clerk: "well, we did just bring this out here. and we usually mark down after 3 days of being on the floor. . . . so . . . what about $19.99?"

me: "that sounds perfect. thanks!" (trying to act very casual, but really I wanted to jump up and down and scream hallelujah and maybe give him a little hug or at least a pat on the back! It worked!)

So I took that baby home. And my hubby T was very impressed. Who knew that he had married a wheeler-dealer (for those who don't know that term . . . I just looked up the official definition and it is . . . One who advances one's own interests by canny, aggressive, or unscrupulous behavior.) Yep. That's me. Canny. Aggressive. And unscrupulous.

I know you're all in suspense. And so, without further ado, here is the mirror I found. (I do understand that not everyone has my taste, but I love it!)

I love the details!

(when I came home, I looked on the back . . . it's an Ethan Allen. lucky me.)

I already had a plan for this baby.

First I wiped it down.

Then taped the insides with paper and made sure it was under each crevice so that I wouldn't get spray paint on the mirror.

I then spray painted with a primer.



And then spray painted a few hours later with white spray painted.

Waited 4 hours for it to set and dry.

And then spray painted again. I think my neighbors think I'm weird.

And the finished product . . .

The inspiration for our living room is coming from this picture in this blog.

(image: paintingtheroseswhite.blogspot.com)