Wall Art

Heather had some ideas about some fun projects that we could hang on our wall. I took on the task of making them myself! The first one is for the guest bedroom. The thought was hang 9 squares, 3x3 and use fun scrapbook paper to add some color to the wall.
I started off making the frames using some 1x2 boards that I ripped down to 1x1 and some thin mdf board for the top.
Gave them a couple coats of paint, yellow base with a dry brush khaki finish over the top.

Added the paper squares. Here is the layout on the floor before I hung them on the wall.

The finished product hanging on the wall (don't mind the empty base cabinets, that is a bathroom project in the making). I think they turned out great!

The next project was to hang up pictures. I started off making two empty frames, one square one and another rectangle. Painted them brown...

I then used some of the leftover fabric from the kitchen as the backing.

Using upholstery tacks, I strung some wire across the frame. We found these great clips at Ikea, and now we have a photo board! This is the tall rectangle frame.

Here is the square frame. Heather then cropped the Christmas cards that we received and they got hung up!

What a fun way to display our Christmas cards year round!

*tis the season

So we got this new machine, a Cricut, it is a cutting machine. You program in what you want it to cut, push a button and like magic it cuts. Heather came up with a fun Christmas craft. We started with some plain frames.
Added some red vinly and cut out some letters.

Removed the backs of the frames and super glued the glass to the frames.

Drilled a couple holes and added ribbon.

Stuck on the red vinyl letters and...tis the season!

I also found out the the Cricut can cut out snowflakes!

The hardest part was sticking the letters on the glass straight.

*door makeover

I have been working on this big kitchen remodel (post to come soon) and in the process the front entryway got a face lift. I wanted the front door to be a different color, so after some thought and discussion I got out my paintbrush and made some changes...it's just paint, right? Here is a before picture prior to the kitchen project.
Another before picture, all taped up and ready to go...

...and the finished product. Yeah, a black front door, what do you think? I think it makes the door pop out from the wall.

Another shot of the door. I think we may put some lettering on the door or dress it up a little more, but for now...there it is.

*chalk one up for the team

I took on the adventure of painting with chalkboard paint. I got some old lockers from my parents, I was so excited to get this project started that I forgot to take before pictures but I did find this one that shows what the original lockers looked like.
I mixed up my own chalkboard paint and it is easy to do. 1 cup paint (any color) and 2 tablespoons of non-sanded white grout. Mix together really well and you are ready to go.

You might be asking, "Why mix your own when you can buy chalkboard paint?" Good question, the answer is...custom colors. This time I went with black, but my round will be a coordinating color to match our paint in the basement. I used a sponge brush to apply.

It took two coats but I am very pleased with the results.

Here is a close up view, I wrote and erased on locker number 7, so it looks a little more broken in.

Another idea I have is in the garage. I kept some of our old kitchen cabinets and I plan on chalkboard painting the door fronts and then I can label what tools are held inside.