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!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

More Chalkboard Love, and an Adorable Surprise!


Hello and Happy Saturday!  The other day I told you how I was obsessed with chalkboards.  Well, today I thought I'd share with you my latest creation, that I have added to my Etsy shop. I will show you a bit later what she used to look like.  I didn't want to scare you by showing you the "before" shot first!!  I think you will be amazed by her transformation! She was pretty sad and dated looking, and just begging for a head to toe makeover!


I just had to paint her this bright and cheery aqua color.  Much better than her old look!  I also decoupaged at the top one of my all time favorite advertising labels from the Graphic's Fairy.  Love the Graphic's Fairy!!  I really like the cute little ledge (which you will see below) that is the perfect spot for holding chalk and maybe an eraser.



You can never have too many chalkboards!
Ok ladies, are you ready to see her prior to her "redo"?

See, I told you the poor thing had seen better days!  Not sure if you can see it or not, but some sweet soul obviously spent alot of time cross stitching "Love me, love my cat" in that way too country-ish looking heart!  Don't get me wrong, I love cats, but that circa 1980's cross stitching just had to go buh-bye!


I can almost hear her breathing a sign of relief!  What do you think?
Oh, I forgot to mention a few details of the project:  I removed the old board (which I will save for a future project. You know me by now, I can't bear to throw anything out that has crafting potential!), and hubby cut me a new one from masonite.  I use the kind of chalkboard paint that you brush on, as I seem to have better luck with that than the spray on kind.  Have any of you ladies used the chalkboard vinyl adhesive?  I think I would like to try that out for future chalkboard projects, and was wondering what you thought of it.


Today I received the nicest surprise in the mail!  My sweet friend Cindy sent me this darling necklace that she made for me!  Thank you Cindy, you made my day!  Isn't that little girl just the cutest?!  I wonder what she is thinking about? :)
And she also sent me this pretty, cheery daisy card which you can see in the background.  Cindy is the sweetest, most thoughtful and generous person!  She has not one, but two blogs, (you can check them out here and here) and is oh, so creative!  Stop by and tell her "hi"!  Thanks again, Cindy!
I have linked up with:
Cindy over at Whimsical Musings for her Creative Spirit Challenge Party
Funky Junk Interiors SNS Party
The Graphics Fairy Brag Monday
Cottage Instincts Make it for Monday Party
be sure to stop on in!

32 comments:

Christine said...

So much better Donna! I love the blue you used, and the image of course. Are you keeping her?

Cindy is a doll, I agree! The pendant is adorable...

Karen said...

I think the chalkboard is saying "thank you!" for reviving her! It is really, really nice!

The gift that Cindy sent you is wonderful! I visited her blogs and can confirm that she is a very talented lady!

Hugs, Karen

Erin said...

Wow, that is a major change!!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my finds! I will be poking around if that's ok, seeing as we are neighbors and all:)

Anonymous said...

beautiful works!!!
Kisses and nice weekend.

Tete said...

Looking better! I have used the chalk board contact paper before. Like 20 years ago. My kids were both home schooled and they went to public school. We were not happy with the level of education they were getting so we did a lot of it at home. For lack of space, we had it in my kitchen. I found the contact chalk board paper at walmart. I put it on the freezer door of my fridge! It worked great. Both kids could see it from the table and it doubled as a grocery list too.
It worked so good! I could 409 it and everything. When there was nothing written on it, it looked great!
My friends were all impressed and they ran out and bought some.
Give it a try- you will probably not use anything else!
Hugs- Tete

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Oh my gosh, I love the chalkboard--it's precious beyond words!!! And oh that was so sweet of you to post the necklace...you didn't have to do that, but I was actually so happy to see a picture of it because I couldn't get a decent one..lol (We're waiting for our good camera to get back from Best Buy--they're fixing it.)
Love,
Cindy

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love the chalkboard Donna! You certainly gave some life back to that sad tired old thing. It's ready for a whole new life now.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
Your chalkboards just keep getting better and better! I probably would have passed it by in its former state, but wow, how good it looks now. The color and the graphic is perfect.

hugs
Sissie

Leo said...

The chalkboard - the label - oh my gosh...I love this!! This matches the tray...So pretty.

mizdarlin said...

I think you did a wonderful job..and i have heard not so great things about the vinyl adhesive, but not tried it myself..

Debbiedoos said...

You are really getting so good at this. Love that cute pendant. Thanks so much for your kindness shown always when visiting. I know my Mom is going to appreciate all this blogging support too....

Wendy said...

I love the chalkboard's new look Donna!!!!!

Debbie said...

Hi Donna~~LOVE the color you used on this! All your chalkboards are wonderful!!! Good job.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Wow! This is wonderful. I've worked a bit with chalkboard paint but nothing like your wonderful work. You really are so creative.
Very nice!

Blooming Rose Musings said...

PS. I have become a follower. Unfortunately, my little rosebud icon disappeared so I am a follower in one of those little generic silhouettes.

Rebecca said...

Wow I just love how that turned out-hard to imagine what it looked like before! Love the aqua color!

Liz said...

Oh gosh!! That looks amazing!

Terry said...

Beautiful work! I love your chalkboard!

Anonymous said...

Hello, Donna! I am visiting from Cindy's Creative Spirit Challenge. I love your chalkboard redo it it so lovely! What a great transformation!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Ahhhh...love her makeover...she looks wonderful!!!

Blessings,
Linda

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great transformation...really. really pretty!

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Love the color, love the graphic. So chic and stylish...way, waY, wAY, WAY better than before! Love it!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Very pretty! I've yet to play around with Graphics Fairy images. Can't wait! I need a printer first. :)

Donna

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Amazing transformation.
Cindy's gift is so beautiful. Lynne M

Trisha said...

Very nice makeover! I love that blue color you chose!!

~Trisha

One Cheap B*tch said...

Love it! The colors are just so perfect!

Jeanine

Hearts Turned said...

Beautiful transformation, Donna! That board is SO much happier now! Love what you did!

Julie

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

This is Lovely! What a Transformation!
Hugs
Jill

PetraB said...

The chalkboard is stunning, such a lovely colour.

Heidi @ City Girls Farmhouse said...

Oh it looks so much better! Visiting from Cottage Instincts. I love the graphics fairy too, would you share how you got the graphics onto the top, or is that to much to ask? I've been looking into adding some graphics to some things at home. Thanks!

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

What a fabulous transformation!!! You have such a knack for visualizing the end results, on these types of pieces. I'm sure I would have passed the "before" piece by without a second glance, but the "after" version would have stopped me in my tracks!! Great job! Thanks for linking this up to Brag Monday.

KimMalk said...

I'm pretty sure I heard that sigh of relief here, too! What a fantastic makeover.