Chalkboards :)

First let me thank a fellow blogger, Shannon for giving me the inspiration to finally create my own chalkboards.  For the longest time I've admired the use of chalkboards as decorative touches in the home but never have taken the time or investment to add them to our home.  Well neither the time nor the investment is not really that big of a deal if you know the how to's and the where's.  Again, I thank my fellow blogger.  Thank you, Shannon!!!

My first stop was my favorite thrift store, where I picked up these three items.  Yes, one is a silver platter and two are picture frames.  I was looking for something unique and also cheap. I paid around $5.00 for all 3, I talked him down on the black one because of the the condition of the frame, but I knew that I was going to be painting it (what can I say I'm a bargain shopper).

Next I sprayed painted the two frames with a white spray paint that you can use on anything (plastic, wood, glass, etc...).  I left everything in the frames since I would be painting over them with the chalkboard paint.

I painted two coats of the chalkboard paint on all three items.  I was a little frustrated with my paintbrush lines at first but after I was finished with the project and treated the surface with the chalk it was really hard to tell.  By the way....if you are wondering about by fancy "fruit" tablecloth.  Let me just say that this is the best way to go with any indoor projects.  Ever since the kids were little, I've had a vinyl tablecloth to spread out for them to color on, use for play dough, paint, etc.  Best thing is you can pick them up at the dollar store and wipe them clean and reuse.  Plus they are handy for my projects. :)

Here's my finished projects.  I am so tickled over them, especially this one which is in the hall bathroom.  Courtney wrote the word "LOVE" on it, she has such pretty handwriting, you would never know that she is left handed.  As you can see I attached a ribbon to the back to hang it from, I thought it dressed it up a little more.

I am happy with my little initial, even though this is the one that I keep walking by an writing something on and then going back to the initial, so there's no telling what will be on this chalkboard and again it's a chalkboard so I can change it any time I want. Ha!

I'm not in loved with my platter as much as I thought I would be.  Maybe it's my handwriting, or the location.  It's on a bookshelf in our bedroom right now, which is not where I had planned for it to go, so that may be my problem. 

I've already got my eye out for another frame, something a little bigger.  I have a spot where I would like to put another chalkboard.  So if you see me heading in the thrift store you know what I am looking for. 

"A merry heart doeth good"

Proverbs 17:22

Blessings to all ~
Carla