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!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Vintage Framed Chalkboards

Hunting for interesting picture frames has become my latest obsession passion!  There is hardly a week that goes by that I don't visit the thrift store in search of them!  Today I'd like to share with you one of my latest frame transformations.  Of course, they didn't look this good when I found them!  Oh, no!
 This is what they began life as!  Not terrible, but I knew that with a little paint and tlc, they could go from gaudy gold to shabbylicious!  There weren't any makers markings on the frames, but they are similar to Syroco.  After removing the very dirty glass and prints, I gave the frames a much needed bath, and several coats of wonderful creamy white paint.
 I then distressed them to highlight all of their gorgeous details.  They really do have the look of carved wood, I think!  Next, I had my handy hubby cut new masonite board to fit, and covered the board with chalkboard vinyl.

 I can almost hear the frames breathing a sigh of relief!  While they cost a bit more than I normally would be willing to pay (everything seems to be higher out here in the Pacific Northwest, even thrift shops!!), as soon as I spotted them, I just knew that I couldn't pass them up!

 They can hang either horizontally or vertically.  I also think they would be beautiful on an easel, like the one below.  I've placed them, and the easel, in my Etsy shop, if you would like to check them out!
I'm linking up with Kathleen over at Faded Charm, for White Wednesday,
and Debra over at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

18 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Donna- Those are gorgeous! They look SOOOO much better. How lucky that the hubby helps you out with the cutting,etc. xo Diana

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

the 4 of them would good hanging up together. I bought a silver tray to put chalk paint on so I can put the menu on for my christmas party..I will see if I get it done or not!

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Ohh Donna,
Great makeover of these frames.
Ah, the Easel is fabulous!
Did you Prep them with Sealer or just clean and sand?
Fiddly bits to sand that's why i'm curious.
Creative hugs,
Anna

Unknown said...

The frames look so much better ! They make beautiful chalk boards .

Myric said...

They look pretty before but even prettier and useful now! Love those chalkboards!

xoxo
Myric

Angela said...

They are beautiful Donna. You've done great work! One would never know they started out so gaudy!
Angela

Ruth @ White Whimsy said...

What beautiful frames. Love them white!

Shabby chic Sandy said...

The frames are beautiful!

Unknown said...

a lovely transformation!! "chalkboard vinyl??" where oh where can i found some??

Prior said...

LOVE them and I've never heard of chalkboard vinyl either? What
Lezlee

Gracie's Cottage said...

They look so much happier all whited up...nice job!

Jan

oldgreymare said...

I don't think I could part with them..and me... the organizer helping others purge? lol
xx
z

john said...

Definitely SHABBYLICIOUS Donna !! great transformation ....me thinks you are a very busy bee!
Gail x

Musings from Kim K. said...

Gorgeous transformations, Donna.

Cindy Adkins said...

OH WOW, these are purely GORGEOUS, Donna!!!! I love them and I adore that easel...Big (((hugs))) to you!!!
XO
Cindy

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Great makeover from out of date to up to date.
-Joy

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

ps I'm following you and have put a link under Creating... on my blog.
- Joy

Anonymous said...

In Georgia the thrift stores are more expensive than the retail stores, no one can afford to shop at them any longer. Looks like you got a nice set of frames and made them even nicer.