Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Chalkboard

What do you do when the Hubs takes the 6 year old

out for a Daddy/Daughter day ????

You get your craft on !!!!

Remember this lovely (cough cough) mirror my Mom got me?

She got a make over......

My new Chalkboard for my Dining Area

Ain't she pretty????

I am in L-O-V-E

I painted her a soft grey.

I love how some of the detail came through the paint.

Now me and chalkboard paint do not get along.

You know the black paint you put a million coats on

And your suppose to be able to write on it.

Well it has never worked for me.

But I found something else.

Chalkboard Cloth !!!

I picked it up at Joann's

And its been sitting in my stash.

I made the countdown chalkboard with it on my Back to School Mantel.

I cut it to size and used spray adhesive to attach it to the mirror.

That way if I ever want to use it as a mirror I can peel it right off.

You need to "prime" the cloth just like you would the paint.

And it works perfect !!!

Can you believe the difference?

I am so excited that this is done.

I have been wanting a big chalkboard to decorate with

And thanks to my Mom I got one.

Sometimes that ugly duckling can become a beautiful piece.

Hanging out with my Friends.....

The Ironstone Nest - Transformation Tuesday

Clean and Scentible - The Creative Spark

DIY by Design - Sizzle into Summer

Lil Luna - Lil Luna Link Party

52 Mantels - Thursday are Your Day

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party

Funky Junk Interiors - SNS

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday
The Prudent Pantry - Smart Solutions
A Glimpse Inside - Catch a Glimpse Party
I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop Party
Its Overflowing - Overflowing with Creativity
Craft O Maniac - Maniac Monday
Homemaker on a Dime - Bloggers Party Hop
Brassy Apple - Make it Monday
Pinkapotamus - Pink Hippo Party
Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time - Knick of Time Tuesday

Handmade Holiday - Mom's Sign

This was the year I was making Handmade Gifts.

This was the year I actually stuck to it.

I accomplished Handmade Gifts for everyone on my list.

Well accept the 5 year old.

Her list did not contain the Handmade vibe.

My Mom has been looking for a sign for her den

Nothing was big enough

Good enough

Or said what she wanted.

Come in Christmas.

Ok Mom I'll make you a sign.

Then I got an email saying OK make me a sign

This is what I want it to say

Details, Details, Details.

Just Another Day in Paradise

(yes she likes Jimmy Buffet)

And her Retirement in Florida

I actually never really made a sign before

I have seen them all over the place

On blogs, Pinterest, Esty

It was easy, I might be addicted

and my Mom might be plotting more.

Trip to Home Depot

A nice man cut the size I needed because nothing in the scrap bin worked

Some paint, Stencils, Paint Marker and a Sander

And a hammer to make the extra dents.

She wanted it "Distressed"

Yes I used stencils and freehanded some of it

(I am still dreaming of a Silhoutte)

So there you have it

Mom's Christmas present

Part of my Handmade Christmas