HOME :: Painting a CHALKBOARD door

   

I am so excited to FINALLY be bringing this series to the blog! I have been working like crazy on alot of DIY HOME projects in my place & have been wanting to share with you all what I have learned. Awhile ago I had asked if you all would be interested in hearing more about these projects & you all were as excited to read about them as I am to share with you. Everyone say YAY! ;)

So I have titled these posts HOME | MADE so they are easy to find when you need them. Also I thought the series name was perfect as the things I have planned to share will range from things that are MADE for the HOME, whether it be a room renovation MADE into a nicer living space to a brand new wreath MADE to hang on the front door, they ALL are things that make my house feel like a HOME. ;)

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The first project in this series will be "Creating a CHALKBOARD DOOR".

In my condo, I have a decent size kitchen but I DO have a rather large pantry closet. All of the doors, trim & windows were that old dark brown trim that was popular in the 90s maybe? I'm not sure, but I have had enough of it. I painted all of it white this summer & I am in LOVE now. However, I had been wanting to paint something . . .anything in the chalkboard paint so I decided to do my pantry door in the kitchen. So awesome & it's beyond useful too!

I gathered my supplies for this project: some Valspar chalkboard paint and my paint roller (I like these foam ones that are made specifically for doors) I love the way they make the door look - very professional, I highly recommend them.

First dumb mistake, I took NO 'before' picture! OK say it with me: "REALLY??!!" . . .uggghh so sorry but just imagine an ugly brown door here & you're all good!

Step 1: remove the door knob & hardware to make it easier to paint the door. I also was planning to re-paint these items so it just made more sense.

Step 2: start painting the door with the foam door roller. This is what it looks like after 1 coat - this is totally normal. =)

 

Step 3: I did paint another 2 coats on the door as I wanted to make sure it was a nice thick coat on the door to ensure all of the wear & tear this door gets.

Step 4: Once the final coat was dry & I let it cure (I waited about a week) I put back on, the newly painted door knob (in the silver metallic finish).

Step 5: Seasoning your door! This is the fun part as you need to take a piece of chalk, turn it on it's side and "color" your door with it. WHY do you need to do this? Because if you don't, the first thing you write will remain there even after you erase it so seasoning it will help with that. Plus it gives it that "used chalkboard" look.

Step 6: Wiping down the chalk. Simply take a towel or paper towel & wipe down the door or "erase" all the color marks that you just did to season the door. This will make your drawing/ writing surface ready to go on the door.

Step 7: You ARE done! . . .Decorate with a message!

I so hope you have enjoyed the first in this series of HOME DIY projects as I have many more to share with you, on HOME | MADE.
I would LOVE to hear if you have ever painted chalkboard on anything? Do you love it or what? Did this post help you realize just how easy it is to do chalkboard on a door or wall? Are you gonna do one now?

Please comment below with your thoughts as I would love to hear from you!

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

RECIPE :: Pumpkin DOG TREATS

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

by Wendy

Today we are bringing you a special recipe. One just for your loyal buddies. Your extended family members. The ones who are always there. Your dog will LOVE these treats.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

2 eggs

½ cup canned pumpkin

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.  Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff.  Roll out the dough until it is ½ inch thick.  Cut into shapes using your favorite cookie cutter.

Bake in the preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.

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Guest Contributor: Wendy Diem

Wendy is a stay at home mom living in Hershey, Pennsylvania, also know as the sweetest place on earth! 

She loves creating memory books and cards and would spend my whole day scrapbooking, but I do need to make time to take care of my family.  You know, those funthings like laundry, cleaning the house, etc.  

 

Back in March, 2012, she had the privilege of going to NYC as part of Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers to attend some workshops and the live taping of her show.  She enjoyed meeting lots of wonderful entrepreneurial women.  What a great experience it was!

You can follow Wendy

flickr | artfire | pinterest | Facebook

RECIPE :: Mini Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Pumpkin Spice Mini Donuts

by Kimberley

Is it Donuts or Doughnuts? I'm not sure. What I do know, is that I LOVE donuts! But only really good ones. I love to bake my own and the best part is that you can make them virtually in an flavor with any topping you desire. With fall approaching, I got in the pumpkin mood, and made you these delightful Pumpkin Spice Mini Donuts. They are easy and won't last long!

 

Recipe

(makes approx 24 mini donuts, using the Wilton mini donut pan)

-preheat oven to 425 degrees with rack in centre

-prepare mini donut pans and lightly  spray with vegetable oil

-prepare a large zip top bag as a piping bag- place in large mug with opening draped over edge of mug

-prepare cinnamon/sugar coating- in a medium bowl mix 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Mix the following in a large bowl: 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon salt.

To this, add 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.

Mix all ingredients together until combined.

Spoon the batter into your plastic bag, seal bag, and cut corner of bag with scissors creating a hole that approximately 1/2 inch.

Pipe batter into pan(s), by swirling the bag around the donut circle in the pan. Do not overfill.

Bake for approximately 6 minutes until batter is cooked throughout.

Remove from oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes, turn donuts out and immediately toss in sugar mixture while still warm. 

Donuts will stay fresh in an sealed bag or container for up to 5 days, but they won't last that long.

Variations: swap out another spice such as nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice; drizzle with simple icing when completely cooled (1/2 cup confectioners sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)

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Guest Contributor: Kimberley Mulla

My Mom gave me my first cookbook when I was six years old. I have been baking & cooking ever since.

I specialize in artisan marshmallows & confections. I want to sell a product that I would feed my children. The ingredients are simple, often local, organic & fair trade as well. 

I love making marshmallows. Every single one. It brings me so much joy to create something unique, tasty, and delightful.

You can follow Kimberley

facebook | twitter  | blog/website | pinterest

Celebrating FALL with Pumpkins, Pumpkins & More Pumpkins

Today is the first day of October & it feels like fall out. I LOVE it! One of my favorite thing about fall and getting ready for it, is the PUMPKINS! I just love pumpkins. The orange pumpkins from a pumpkin patch, the faux white ones you can buy at a craft store, pumpkin decor, pumpkin pie . . . pumpkin everything!

So I thought it may be fun to share some pumpkin decorating ideas with you from myself & the team that we have done . . . you know, to INSPIRE you & your love for pumpkins as well. ;)

You will see all of us vary on the "style" in which we decorate with our pumpkins but I love seeing what everyone does . . . from modern, to classic and a little bit country. Hope you are inspired to decorate too!

Take simple small pumpkins & glitter them to get the colors you want. I glittered these pumpkins for a Halloween party and added small feathers by the stem & a plastic spider . . .  super cute!

I love how the pumpkin cookies match the glitter on my pumpkins!

Getting funky with little pumpkin decorating to represent the biz! ;) I attached letters directly to the pumpkin to spell out part of my name plus added some feathers to create this fun & playful pumpkin decor!

One of my favorite places in my home to decorate for the holidays is my mantel! It can be easily changed to reflect the vibe of the season & it sets the tone for the whole room. Here is what I did last year.

Erin shared this picture of her mantel in her home. Isn't it gorgeous!? It's always fun to see other people's mantels & how they decorate. LOVE her fabric bunting she has hanging . . . I may have to 'borrow' that idea! ;)

Wendy sent in some pumpkin crafts she has made: this pumpkin wreath & these decorated pumpkins - which are super cool! ;)

 

Are you already decorated for fall & Halloween? Do you incorporate lots of pumpkins into YOUR decor? I would love to hear what you do . . .comment below and Happy FALL! ;)

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or check out more designs in my Etsy shop! 

 
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COLLECTION :: Harvest Owl Birthday

The 'official' first day of FALL is here & it is MY FAVORITE time of year! I am so ready for it this year & here in Ohio the temperatures have even gotten cooler & it is perfect FALL weather now! YAY!

I wanted to share a new collection with you today: my "Harvest Owl" collection. Owls have been extremely popular & I have a few owl design collections in my shop but not really one geared for a fall birthday. I also wanted to make sure to design it in a color scheme that could be used for a girl or boys birthday party! Hope you love it & it's listed in the shop now! This would also make a great "fall harvest party" and it could easily be changed to reflect that theme, just ask! Enjoy! =)

 

 

 

'Harvest Owl" birthday collection

Here's what you get in this collection . . . 

(pictured above}

1. banner - that says "Happy Birthday"

2.  paper pack - that includes 4 designs 

3. toppers/ circles - you get 'Happy Birthday' themed with different designs ~ use for accents to your table decor - simply cut them out or use a punch, glue to lollipop stick or toothpick & done!

4. drink / straw flags - 4 different chevron designs

5.  Labels/ Table Tents / Toppers - food & drink - great to use for labeling items on your tables

6. cupcake wraps - comes with 4 different designs

7. favor bag/ thank you toppers - 4 different designs- use to attach on top of goodie bags to thank guests for coming

8. drink umbrellas - 4 different designs- use to decorate your drinks - attach to stick & instant drink decor

9. subway art print - this art print is a great way to add some decor to your table or use as a welcome sign - just print & frame

10. napkin wraps - comes with 4 different chevron designs

11. thank you cards- comes with 2 different designs

12. nugget candy bar wrappers- comes with 4 different designs

You can find the Harvest Owl collection in my Etsy shop! 

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There is also a Harvest Owl Birthday invitation (of course!)

Grab this collection packed with everything to have an awesome FALL party! 
If you would like to see it in different colors, just know that I can always change ANY collection in the shop to YOUR color scheme for a small design change fee.

As always, if you EVER have any special custom design party collection idea requests, PLEASE feel free to email me anytime & I can design one for YOU!

laura@eyecandyeventdetails.com

Have a great week!

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!