Sunday, May 23, 2010

Now the sky's the limit

Now I showed you all a sneak peak of the new toy I got.

Now to show you what I did with it.

I have always wanted a blackboard in my kitchen.

I kept looking over Craigslist for a thick frame that is cheap enough so I can justify painting it.

I looked for a few weeks, then I remembered I had this in my basement.


I got this picture and frame at the flea market (for really cheap) when we bought our first house.

I don't really like it anymore.

But the problem is that the painting is very bumpy. The painter made it like a 3D painting.

So I thought I would sand down the painting.



Like my Reindeer pajama pants? I dress cool like that when I am doing my projects.

I went on and primed,



and painted the frame (with spray paint of course).

Then I glazed the frame to tame down the green.



I was then getting really excited about how it was going to look.

You may be wondering where my new toy fits in, well here is where.

Then I spray painted the chalkboard paint on the picture...



Oh well, the whole sanding down paint idea didn't work out. Crap.

So I looked around the garage to see if there was anything I could use instead of a canvas for the blackboard.


I saw this big piece of MDF that was left over making the shelves on our den cabinets.

And like a good lazy person I just traced the canvas onto the MDF piece.






Then I got to use my new toy!!



The first time with using a power tool didn't go with out some trial and error.

First I didn't have the bladed low enough, so it didn't cut through the whole way through.


Then when I did lower the blade (once I figured out the blade could be lowered) I lowered it too far and apparently burnt the wood.



See the burn marks from the blade? and the deep trench on the table part...Oops.

But all my fingers are still attached. Does that count?

The moment of real truth was to see if the piece fit in the frame.


It does!!

Whoo hoo!

Time to "season" the chalkboard.


Now time to hang up!






I have plans for the top of the cupboard!

But I have to figure out how to drill through porcelain. Any ideas?


I am linking to these parties and

Visit thecsiproject.com






Logical Media

58 comments:

Kat said...

LOVE! I miss my chalkboard...and 75% of my things that are in storage until this Saturday! I am thinking about painting an entire wall in chalkboard paint in the new casa. Thoughts?

Jane said...

Love the chalkboard and frame! There is a drill bit for glass, maybe that will work. Kat, the chalkboard wall is a great idea.

Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road said...

Very cool project! I'd love something like that in my kitchen, but I'm just not quite handy enough! LOL

Wendy said...

I think there is a special drill bit, I know our friend, who is a landscaper, uses it for tiles.
I love how you painted it green. I looks awesome :)
Wendy

Kenzie said...

Yay for power tools! The chalkboard looks amazing! Great job!

Katie Olthoff said...

Trial and error with power tools!?!? You are BRAVE! But it was totally worth it! Too bad the canvas sanding didn't work.

Debbiedoos said...

Very cute and creative....glad you still have your fingers:)!~

Magic Brush said...

This cracked me up because I just blogged about my FAILED attempt at painting my chalkboard frame green! Maybe I just need to glaze it. Yours looks great. You can see my post here:

http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2010/04/repainting-my-chalkboard-what-was-i.html

Erica said...

That turned out wonderful! I really want to try making one!
-Mama E
www.homeandheartsblog.com

Jill said...

Great chalkboard project!!

Amanda @ Healthy House on the Block said...

I love your chalkboard! I may have to make one myself. :)

liz said...

You are such a great repurposer! And I LOVE that green!

Kaysi said...

Oooooh, I really like the color now, it looks great!

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

All your effort was certainly worth it. Love the green and black combo.

Claudia said...

Wow - this looks good.
We have bought one a while ago and it's now in our floor and we are writing lots of to do's to it - but also lots of greetings and funny messages for each other.

Aspiring Mom2three said...

Great job on the chalk board! I painted the back of our kids' bedroom door with the green chalk board paint. They loved drawing and writing "secret" messages when they were little. I have a small chalkboard that we write the "menu" on when we have company. It still has Frosty Ice Cream written on it because the kids have been asking for me to make some more!

Unknown said...

AHH I love it! Reindeer pants comment...hilarious. I love your sense of humor. It's nice to come on here and get to crack up. :-) I love laughing and its great to fill that need with your blog. Soooo please keep it up! Anyway, back to the chalkboard...I love the green...it looks great with the little shelf underneath. I think I'm going to have to try some of this chalkboard paint I keep seeing everywhere. I have a chalkboard redo waiting to be redone, as well. I need to paint this mini 'roseart' chalkboard I have laying around.

Hey, happy Monday to you! Thanks again for the post. Loved it. (((hugs)))
~Laura

malia said...

Hi From Motivate Me Monday-- great idea... love the green color you chose too (-:
www.yesterdayontues@yahoo.com

Red Door Home said...

Great project. Nice to see what did not work and your solution. Love the green frame.

Kimmy said...

Love the green color for the frame! Great choice!

EllensCreativePassage said...

Great post...I love your new chalkboard!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Great looking makeover on that chalkboard! HAPPY NTT!

Blessings,
Linda

Ann said...

Wonderful transformation! I like your honesty and humor!! Also, I like the green paint color you used.
Have a wonderful week.
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

Cindy said...

Cool, really COOL. Love what you did with it!

Jessica @ This Blessed Life said...

Looks great! I just made a old painting into a chalkboard menu - isn't it fun? I really like the color green you chose!

Wendy said...

I love chalkboards! I posted about some today too. And I love the color green you went with!

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

haha, i would have gone "the lazy person" route, too ;) so glad your plan b worked, cause this turned out so fun!!

Debra said...

That turned out great!

Anonymous said...

What a cute project! And way to go on figuring out how to use the saw.

Ellen said...

Everyone needs a chalk board and yours is so pretty!

Megan/Brassy Apple said...

great job! we've made several chalkboards around here - love them!

stopping by via tip junkie!

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

I LOVE how this turned out!! i keep meaning to do a chalkboard project. Love the green frame!!

~Alison

http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

paige said...

Very, very cute! Nice idea. :)

Lianna Knight said...

Great job! Love it! Please stop by and enter my giveaway... http://jillybeansdoggieboutique.blogspot.com/2010/05/doggie-bed-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Great save too. Your new toy looks just like my Mr. NaM's new toy, which he won't let me use.

Diane said...

Great project. I love that bulletin board. You have more nerve than I with those power tools, lol.

I came here via Penny Pinching Part. Visit me sometimes over at Pittypat Paperie.

Stephanie Cameron said...

Great job! The green is so different from what I have been seeing around... so I love it! PS... love your blog background too, lol (I have it too!).

Decorchick! said...

I love your chalkboard! Your tutorial cracked me up. Well done!

Decorchick! said...

Oh, and I'm visiting from Someday Crafts. :)

alice said...

If you have a dremmel you can use it to drill glass/pottery etc. You just have to put a little bit of water on the object. My HB drilled our sea glass and it worked great. Love your tut! Glad to hear you still have all your digits.
Smiles, alice

Unknown said...

Very cool!! I love the green color!
I am diving into chalkboard paint for the very first time tonight and am LOVing it. :)

I really want a chalkboard for my kitchen, too. It's on my long list. . .

Stopping by from Lori's Get your craft on Thursday party.

Tam. said...

I LOVE the chunky frame! the color is awesome too! Great Job!

How Sweet It Is-A lifestyle blog said...

That looks awesome! And ummm..are we related or something b/c now I feel better about my woodworking/power tool skills ;)

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

OK, I LOVE that chunky frame! You've got me thinking about changing up our chalkboard! Hmm...

memakingdo said...

Love how that turned out and I love the name of your blog! Lol!!!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great idea! I love the green frame and it looks so good with your cabinet too!

Thanks so much for linking up to the CSI Project! We really appreciate it. I hope you will come back next week for our Hardware Store challenge!

XOXO
Jen

Mika said...

Love the idea of having a blackboard for quotes! (PS love the name of your blog!)

Unknown said...

Cute idea...glad you didn't cut your fingers off. That would have been sorta bad. :)

Sarah

Get Nestled In said...

Hi! Your chalkboard looks fantastic! I love chalkboards too. I have 3 and have plenty of room for more! lol great job!

T.bird

trish said...

Very cute!!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Very cute! Love how the green just pops with cheer! My first attempt at a chalkboard did NOT work, so good for you! :)

Thanks for linking up to SNS!
FJ Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

Great Job!!! I love chalkboards. I saw your link on Sunday Showcase and I am your newest follower! Nice to meet you. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Bonnie

Andy Porter said...

I love how it turned out! I'm diggin that green! Thanks so much for linking to Poppies at Play! It's been a pleasure! Have a wonderful summer!
XOXO,
Andy

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

What a fabulous frame! and the green is fantastic! Looks fantastic. Thanks for joining The Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Room to Inspire said...

Great chalkboard project - the frame is just perfect! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired last week.

Chelsea

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

wonderful project! i love chalkboard paint(doesn't everyone?)! and i love frames! your chalkboard and frame look fab! thanks for linking to my romantic home so i could find you!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

I love chalkboards! Things don't always go the way we plan, do they?
great job!
gail

FrouFrouBritches said...

That is such a gorgeous chalkboard!! The color is fantastic and I love the nice thick frame. gorgeous!!