TOP POSTS :: Best of AUGUST

Happy FALL! I can not even believe that we said goodbye to summer, started school and are looking at fall decor already! But this is MY fave time of year so I am ready! ;)

Ok, so lets take a look back over what you all were reading in August & viewed the most. I would also like to say THANK YOU to all who stop by to read, comment from time to time & send me emails. I SEE IT ALL! So thanks again. xoxo

:: TOP POSTS for August 2014 ::

RECIPE :: Mini Glazed Baked Donuts

DIY CRAFT :: School Locker Chalkboard Initial

ART PRINT :: Oh the Places You'll Go

HOME | MADE :: Small Space Patio Makeover

DEBUT :: Lunch Box Love Notes

So now you are all caught up on some of the most read posts here on my blog. Hopefully you will just add me to your BlogLovin feed so you don't miss any posts. =) You can find it on the top right sidebar here - super easy to do!

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

 
  Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

DIY CRAFT :: Magnetic Chalkboard Frame

   

It's that time again! Sharing another easy project for back to school! This project is super easy & quick plus it is very functional!

As you know, my daughter was all excited about having LOCKER DECORATIONS this year in school, so we came up with a few and this is the other one I wanted to share with you all.

 
So this one is a "magnetic chalkboard frame" that is functional, cute & super easy to make! Grab your supplies and make one with me!

You just need to grab a few supplies to get started: a paintable photo frame of your choice (I picked this one up at JoAnns), chalkboard paint, the colors of paint you like - I chose a Valspar color and the current Pantone color of the year, paintbrushes, ribbon and a magnet.

The first thing I did was take the frame apart to work on it. Plus I disgarded the glass as we will not need it.

  Next I painted the wood backing piece with the chalkboard paint with a couple thick coats and let dry.

While the chalkboard paint was drying, I went ahead and painted the frame with my two different paint colors. 

Then before you add the chalkboard back in and put the frame back together, don't forget to season the chalkboard before using it!

If you want to add any embellishments to your frame, like flowers or something else, do it on this step. I added a blue flower with a peace sign button in the center - just used my glue gun to adhere to the frame.

The last thing you will want to do is add your ribbon by hot gluing it to the back of the frame. At this point, I also added a large magnet (with hot glue) at the point where the ribbon criss-crossed so you would not see the magnet when it was hanging from the front.

You now have a brand new 'Magnetic Chalkboard Frame' to write down reminders and messages! Enjoy!

Super cute right? Anyone inspired to try and make one? Raise your hand . . . please let me know below if you think you will try this project as I would love to know if anyone was inspired. Or maybe you have already done a craft similar to this . . . let me know what you did below . . . ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

CRAFT :: School Locker Chalkboard Initial

It's that time! Time to get your craft on for back to school! I still can not believe that it's time to get back to school already but more importantly I can NOT believe that I have a child entering middle school this year! Oh my, oh my. 

One of the "big" things that my daughter is super stoked about getting to go to middle school, is LOCKER DECORATIONS!!! Say what? This is a "thing" apparently but one that I quickly had to get on board with as we never had "locker decorations" when I was in school. Oh how the times change huh?
 

 
So we of course have been stalking all of the stores looking for some cool locker decor and have picked up a few things already but we also wanted to try something handmade since ya know, her mama IS crafty! Or so I like to think! ;)

I decided that our idea had to be fun, functional, have something to do with a chalkboard, a fun pattern, cool colors and of course an initial since the pre-teens are loving the initial rage! (I am too though- lol)

So what I came up with was a "school locker chalkboard initial" that is super fun & easy to make! Grab your supplies and make one with me!

You just need to grab a few supplies to get started: a paper mache initial in the letter you want, chalkboard paint, a coordinating paint color for the edges, paintbrushes and a magnet.

You will see that I added some extras to mine, so you will also need a glue gun, small clothespins, ribbon & your own embellishments if you choose to do yours as I decorated this one.

 
The first step is to paint the initial with the chalkboard paint. You will have to put on about 5-6 thin coats and let them dry in between each layer but it will give you a solid 'chalkboard' to use plus the paint dries pretty fast.
 

The next step is to carefully paint the edges of your initial in the coordinating color of paint you have chosen. For mine I chose a robins egg blue shade.

If you want to add a ribbon to be able to clip items to the bottom of the initial, cut your ribbon to the desired length you want and hot glue to the back of the initial.

If you want to add any embellishments to your initial, like buttons (like I did here) or a flower, sequins or something else, do it on this step.

The last thing you need to do for your chalkboard is season it. Any time you paint anything with chalkboard paint, you want to season the surface by taking a piece of white chalk on its side and rubbing it all over the entire writing surface. Then simply wipe it off and you will be left with a chalkboard surface that is ready to go! The reason for seasoning is if you choose NOT to, then the first thing you write or draw will always be seen on the surface even after you erase it.

I had some fun and drew some fun things on the chalkboard initial along with the name of the person I am making this for. (which happens to be my niece)

To make the ribbons super functional you can make or pick up some mini clothespins to clip onto the ribbon so the child using it can attach photos or notes to it.

The final item of business would be to hot glue the magnet on the back, to make sure it will cling to the locker  . . . & you are done! That's it! Enjoy your new "School Locker Chalkboard Initial".

Super cute right? Now who's gonna go make one? Raise your hand . . . please let me know below if you think you will try this project as I would love to know if anyone was inspired. Or maybe you have already done a locker craft of your own . . . let me know what you did below . . . ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

Linking up at:
TaterTots & Jello

This craft is part of the 45 days of Back to School series hosted by The Benson Street. Make sure to pop over there and check out all of the other amazing ideas for back to school.