Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Chalkboard Obsession!

 Hello ladies!  It is a rainy day here in Michigan, perfect for crafting.

I really need to get better about focusing on one project at a time!  I get so excited about what I am working on, then I either move to another project before the initial one is completed, or else I make something and am not happy with the end result, so I put it away to re-vamp later.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this!!

Yes, it's true, I am in love with chalkboards!  I have made three of them in the past week, and am almost finished with  fourth! I am always on the prowl for beautiful frames that I can transform.



 I love this turquoise color!  I mixed it up using several different shades of craft paint. Then, you know me!  I just have to do some distressing and glazing!


And of course I just had do to an heirloom white one!


I really love this shade of blue that I blended with several different craft paints. It's so fun to mix colors, I think!  That way you can get so many different colors without spending a small fortune buying tons of paint!
I am calling this color "French Blue".  I love all shades of blue, but I especially adore light blue!
I picked these frames up a couple of week ago at two different garage sales.  The funny thing was that three of the prints ( that came from 2 separate sales) coordinated!
I really love the prints that came in the frames, so I saved them for another use. What use that will be, I don't yet know!  But I am sure that I'll come up with something!  At any rate, I thought they and the mats were just too nice to throw away!  I removed the glass inserts, and had hubs cut wooden inserts for the chalkboards.  If I had been keeping these for myself, or given as a gift, I probably would have just painted over the glass with the chalkboard paint.  But, since I put these in my Etsy shop, I didn't want to take the chance of sending something so fragile in the mail!

So now I need to get busy and get back to my projects!  Hopefully I can get my blogging fix tonight and get caught up on some great blog reading!  Have a great evening!

I am linking this post up with the following great parties.  Be sure to check them out!
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Party
Frou Frou Decor Fabulous Friday Finds 
Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special 
My Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday

16 comments:

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Brilliant as usual Donna! I love the light blue too. It was a nice day here so I was outside spray painting.

Wendy said...

I am the exact same way! If the project takes too long I also get bored easily. So, you are not alone :)
Loving the color blue you used on the chalkboard! Can't wait to see what you do with the prints!
Wendy

Karen said...

Nice chalkboard! Interesting about the prints that were in the frames you bought at two different sales. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

I'm like that with quilts....if a project is giving me fits, taking too long, etc., I put it aside and it becomes a UFO (unfinished object). The baby quilt I'm currently working on is nearly in that category, but I HAVE to finish it as its for a gift! The ripper has been a must have tool today....not a good machine quilting day.

Love, Karen

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I just love chalkboards made using ornate frames. Yours are wonderful.

Yes, I'm guilty of starting one project and going to another. Sometimes I can have four or five projects going at a time and I can't wait to get them done. So, you are not alone! LOL!

hugs
Sissie

NanaDiana said...

Donna-Those are great. I was going to say my favorite was the white one until I scrolled down to the French blue one! Oh. My. Gosh!

That's certainly not our old Country blue from the 80's is it?

I just purchased some chalkboard paint. I am afraid to start because I fear that I will "chalkboard" everything in sight. A few years ago I bought an old window that had been made into a chalkboard and it is wonderful.

I am sooo like you...I always have about 5 different things going at once...plus I work so I am NEVER caught up with anything! lol

You are a great inspiration! Hugs- Diana

Chris Arlington said...

I'm a Libra what ever the scale tips to that's where I wander off. I really love what you've done with the frames. Glad Hubby is participating it will keep him out of trouble while recuperating.

Leo said...

Donna - once again - awesome. I LOVE the French blue...just love it. They will go fast, I bet. And I think it is great that you work on many projects at the same time - I think letting one sit for a bit - allows you to evolve it into what you really want it to be.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh Donna,
I was on my way over here when I read your comment! The scalloped circle is from Paper Studio at Hobby Lobby...I have worked all day on a huge project (the project is little, but I did a TUTORIAL I will post for the weekend.) That's what took so long, and Ralph got pictures of me too...so funny!
Anyway, I LOVE the story about your mom and oh wow, you DO have her repurposing gene!!! I love the Christmas story--it is so beautiful beyond measure...
Thank you so much for being part of the inspiration of I Owe it All to Him today--you are such a blessing.
Love,
Cindy

Eileen @ Cottage Beach House said...

Donna, Thank you for sharing your fabulous ideas! I love the color you mixed for the frame. Gorgeous frames too!
I am eager to see what you do with the pictures too!

shannon i olson said...

Yep I love chalkboard too,painted my pantry door, then a oval ornate frame....made that in bright yellow! love them! yours are wonderful.

Unknown said...

AAAHHHH!!!! These are gorgeous, Donna! Now see, I look at frames like that and go blank. If I can put one more thing in my brain to remember while I'm at the Goodwill, I will bring one home! I have a small wall in my daughter's room done with chalkboard paint and I love it!
xo
lynn

Unknown said...

I can so relate to having too many projects going at once! The chalkboards are gorgeous. I'm normally a white and pastel person, but that turquoise blue color has really captured my eye!

Biljana said...

Hi Donna!!
It looks gorgeous, bravo:))
Have a great weekend, hugs Biljana

Debbiedoos said...

Ditto on the project...best be a quickie for me, or else! I love that chalkboard and it is such a pretty color. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend. Debbie

Kelly Kosta said...

I am obsessed with making chalkboards too! In fact, I have one drying in my garage right now! I love the frames you found, the blue is just gorgeous!

Unknown said...

The 3 pictures that coordinated are actually from a series of 4 prints by Cheri Blum. They're practically impossible to find nowadays.