Category Archives: Chalkboard Inspirations

Faux Milkglass Trays

Chalkboard Inspirations, Feeling Crafty, home decor, rainy day project, wedding ideas Leave a comment

So we all know how cheap I am. Why buy it, when you can craft it right?

That is why you’re looking at this post in the first place, we’re alike.

This is the initial mock-up for the dessert table.

Chalkboard, vintage black, white and silver. It will be redone about a hundred times, and until I place the last cake pop, is subject to change.

IMG_2070 The wedding colors will be accents (Sea glass blue and blush) flowers in delicate pastel, pretty beachy shades.

Cupcakes, cake pops, and baked goodies will be the final touch!

So lets focus on the base of this arrangement.

To make the faux milk glass serving platters:

Supplies needed:

Assorted plates, platters, candlesticks, dessert bowls, vases and glasses.

White gloss spray paint

Waterproof, outdoor glue

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After a hasty trip to the dollar store, I purchased several platters, candle sticks, dessert bowls and glasses.

Spent about $20. but should come out with 10 serving pieces, and three vases for fresh flowers.

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First step is to wash and remove all stickers, oily film and prep your glass items.

I use the Goo-gone to remove stickers and ink, then rubbing alcohol to remove the goo gone. (Its oily and the glue won’t stick well).

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Attach the candle sticks to the candle plates, the dessert bowls to the oval platters…you get the idea, using the glue.

Center them so they will balance when turned over. Allow to dry overnight, since you’re going to paint it, it could dissolve the glue if it’s not set well.

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Be sure to cover your work area well, and spray away!!! I did two coats on most, some needed touch-up after I turned them over.

Allow to completely dry or you will risk fingerprints in the paint. (No, I didn’t learn that the hard way)

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These were my favorite, candlesticks and a candle base. The glass was heavy and they turned out nice.

I’ll be putting cake pops, cupcakes, and assorted baked goodies on all of them!

Rehearsal Dinner is my chance to impress my son’s future family, and introduce them to ours.

 I come from a long line of crafty ladies, who would rather spend $75.00 in supplies and make something with LOVE, than allow anyone else to cater or design for me.

Enjoy!

Debbie

Chalkboard Cornhole Game

Chalkboard Inspirations, Feeling Crafty, Man Cave Game Room, Outdoor and Garden, rainy day project, Uncategorized, wedding ideas 2 Comments

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Well, as promised…. another chalkboard project is wrapping up. Cornhole (Bean Bag) game for the rehearsal dinner.

The lovely bride’s mother requested some yard games for the rehearsal dinner, and we were all too happy to oblige.

I’ve wanted one of these for camping and what better reason than a June Wedding, to kick us into gear.

I really can’t take credit for the boards except that I insisted hubby build them to specifications.

Lucky for me, he’s quite handy and lets me boss him around.

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He’s construction, I’m design, we work well together.

I looked online at the DIY network, and found the correct dimensions, and simple enough plans to construct the boards.

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/structures/how-to-build-a-regulation-cornhole-set

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I couldn’t decide on a paint design, so since I’m all about the chalkboard lately, that seemed like a perfect finish.

We stained the sides and legs with a golden oak finish, and I painted the tops with two thin coats of chalkboard paint.

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They turned out wonderful! The legs fold under for storage and transport.

Next, you need some corn bags. I guess in the south the bags are filled with corn, elsewhere beans. Who knew?

Just be sure not to leave them out in the rain, the corn will expand and mold!

There is a specific size and weight for the bags. They are supposed to be 6″ x 6″ in size and weigh exactly 16 oz.

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So I cut the fabric into 7″ squares, and used my serger to close 3 of the 4 sides with a 1/2′” seam all around.

If you don’t have a serger, just sew them front sides together and turn them out.

Fill the bags with the proper amount of corn (I used a food scale with the bag set on it) and slipstitch the opening closed.

A good source for the corn was the new Tractor Supply store. I got 50# of feed corn for $12. bucks!

It made 6 full sets of bags, way more than I needed, but I think they’ll be great gifts.

A tip for filling and sewing the bags closed was pinning the open end horizontally to hold the corn inside, while I serged it closed.

This kept the kernels from spilling out and losing the proper weight, and also prevented them from getting under the needles of the machine.

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I did some in burlap too. And two different camping motifs!

I also made a storage bag for the corn bags with leftover fabric and cording. And added a pocket to hold the chalk!

Sadly, I didn’t get enough photos to make this post truly user-friendly, but I think you get the idea.

Psst, I had him make two sets of boards so I get to keep one for camping!

In case you’re not familiar with the rules of the Game, It’s really quite simple!

You play similar to horseshoes, tossing the bags from either side into the hole.

Generally tournament play is teams of two people, opposite each other at the top of the boards.

The boards are placed 27 feet apart facing each other.

(Be sure someone sober measures before you start!)

Bag in the hole scores 3 pts.

Bag on the board 1 pt.

First person/team to 21 pts. Wins!

Now, play responsibly and be sure to use good sportsmanship at all times.

Enjoy!

Debbie

My First Chalkboard Project

Chalkboard Inspirations, Feeling Crafty, home decor, Man Cave Game Room, Outdoor and Garden, rainy day project, wedding ideas 1 Comment

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Hello my crafty friends, I know it’s been a while since we last spoke. But we all know how quickly time runs away from us.

So, let’s see if I remember how to get this posted.

My new obsession is chalkboard stuff. I had to create an entire pinterest board to all the great ideas I’ve been seen.

Well, I decided I wanted one for the front of my fireplace, but it needed to be big.

Like 36″ x 33″ big.

Supplies needed: a board (did I mention mine is big?)

Chalkboard paint and a roller (I cheated, no roller pan, just poured some paint on and rolled it out)

Chalk, Chalk markers, stencils, and/or good penmanship

 So I put hubby to work cutting a big piece of board, and had him round the corners.

Also had him put a heavy-duty hanger on the back, since I will remove it from its perch to change the message often.

If you are going to put it where youngen’s will be using it, try hanging it with mirror clips

It will be flush on the wall and not “wiggle” when they write on it.

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I also got some chalk, chalk markers, and stencils (options are good, considering this is a new adventure)

I’m not thrilled with my writing skills, but hopefully they will improve with some practice.

That’s the beauty of a chalkboard, right? I can erase it and start over.

So, a couple of tips I found online: be sure to do two thin coats of the chalkboard paint

on your board and let it dry at least 24 hours between each coat.

Be sure to wait another 36 hours before you write on it.

The paint is kinda “soft” and if you write on it too soon, those overeager messages will be imbedded forever.

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It’s recommended that you “season” your board before you start using it. So, I took some super cheap plain white chalk and rubbed it all over the board.

Easy enough, but I recommend doing this outside, since it left a lot of dust!

Cover your entire board, and then wipe it off, repeat. I used about 5 sticks of chalk, and did it three complete times.

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it really does give it a nice “used” look, and smooths out the surface before you begin creating your masterpiece.

For lettering, I used a yardstick to keep myself somewhat straight. It’s a little harder than I anticipated.

Kudos to those school teachers who have perfect vertical penmanship!

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We’re planning a June Wedding, and since I’m the Mother of the Groom, guess what the rehearsal dinner theme is….??

Stay tuned for more projects!

Enjoy!

Debbie