In fact, some of you are probably rolling your eyes and mumbling, "She's just now getting into chalkboard paint? That is sooo 2009."
It's not that I didn't want a ticket on the chalkboard train. I just wanted to find the perfect traveling companion, and I wasn't going to waste money on painting something that I wouldn't use.
I happened upon this scalloped metal tray at my local Salvation Army a few months ago, and chalkboard paint was the first thing that popped into my head.
I tend to procrastinate when it comes to trying crafty projects...not so much out of laziness as opposed to fear of absolute and utter failure followed by a brownie binge.
I am trying to be more fearless when it comes to crafting and decorating, just like some of my favorite bloggers. So after staring at the hideous stains on the tray for a couple of weeks, I finally broke out some newspaper, painter's tape, and spray paint and got to work.
Taping was tedious, but only due to the overabundance of curved edges.
I should take this moment to let you know that spray painting several coats of Krylon's Chalkboard paint outside in December is not the smartest move I've ever made. It was cold. Very cold. Even the squirrels were laughing at me.
After the paint dried, I focused on coming up with a way to display my creation.
I grabbed the hot glue and some wired ribbon I had leftover from an earlier project and got to work.
While the glue heated up, I made a big loop with my ribbon and tied a bow at the top:
Then I mushed the bottom part of the loop up and hot glued it to the back of the tray:
With a push pin hidden behind the bow, and the bottom part resting on a shelf over my craft desk, my quote tray has found a home!
I likes it!
For more Before and Afters or DIY inspiration, visit Sarah's Before and After Party or Kimba's weekly DIY Party. Also linking to Sixty-Fifth Avenue, The Nester , and Beth's Chalkboard Paint Party. All the cool kids are joining in.
Well, you go girl!! How cute is That??? Love it!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
That turned out wonderfully. You beat me on the chalkboard train. I still want to do a project very similar to yours. Wouldn't a countdown until the end of school one be fun for me to hang in my classroom??
ReplyDeleteit turned out great! I love the shape of the tray
ReplyDeleteReally cute! That tray is perfect for it...I've thought about doing that, but haven't found a tray I like.
ReplyDeleteDid you use liquid chalk, or those chalk markers, or whatever they're called?
Very Cute! Love the curvy tray! that is a Great find!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great!! I haven't found the piece yet to do it too. I saw a blog and she used these chalk board markers. I'm sure they are a little pricey but they made it look so professional.
ReplyDeleteVery cute tray & love the quote too! Your new decorating dilemmas party is on my birthday :-) Let's see if I can scrounge up something to post. ;-P
ReplyDeleteAmanda...love it!! I too have been late getting on the chalkboard train, but I do have some ideas up my sleeve. ;) It turned out so cute and love the quote you put on it.
ReplyDeleteHugs and love friend,
~Victoria~
Don't feel bad: I haven't tried chalkboard paint yet, either. And your project looks great!
ReplyDeletesuper cute, manda! i used chalkboard paint and some silver spray paint on an old picture from of my mom's. i love chalkboard paint!! glad you finally jumped on the band wagon! i loved catching up on your blog too! see you on thursday!
ReplyDeleteIt's DARLING!!!! I love the tray... well done girlfriend,
ReplyDeleteSasha
Thanks for commenting on my blog design(mollyrainbow.blogspot.com). Are you thinking about a new design for your blog. I really like the header you have now....sooo cute ! I also love your chalkboard tray. Great idea !
ReplyDeleteI love it, Amanda! It looks great! You got that tray for $1.50????
ReplyDeleteyou're hilarious! i haven't done the chalkboard thing yet, either, but everything in good time! that tray is great- the curvy lines make it so special. and good call on the ribbon!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by my blog- your kind comments mean so much! the paint in the kitchen is called Topsail by Sherwin Williams... very soothing! my old kitchen was yellow/gold, which i loved, too!
happy monday!
rachel
Way cute!
ReplyDeleteHannah
Cute, cute, cute. I'm sure those scalloped edges were a pain in the hiney to cover, but they are what make this little tray so special. And I love that quote. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful start to 2010, my friend! Sorry I have MIa lately. I hope to get back in the swing of things soon...I'm tryin!
~Manda
Love the silver with the black of the chalkboard.... pretty hanging ribbon too. I'm hosting a Power of Paint party on Wednesday. I'd love for you to link up this chalkboard.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great - I love that your left the corners unpolished and kind of rough :)
ReplyDeleteOh and? Ignore those squirrels. They know nothing!
Love it!! Your tray is so cute! I just did a bunch of these for Christmas gifts this year, but haven't gotten around to posting pictures etc... basically the story of my blog!! :) I've just recently found your blog and love it! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous - you did a great job. I love the tray - great find!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, It looks fabulous! You've got me beat... I bought chalkboard paint on a whim during the summer and still haven't used it!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to Decorating Dilemmas! I can't decide which dilemma to post about though... hm
Great job with the chalkboard paint! I picked up a couple silver trays like this at Goodwill last weekend that I plan on doing something similar too. I'm just waiting for it to get warmer than the 10 degrees it is now before I try to spray paint!
ReplyDeleteGreat project!!! That is next on my list to try.
ReplyDeleteRobyn
mysoutherncottage.com
Love it, VERY cute! I can hear the squirrels still laughing; you are too funny with words.
ReplyDeleteLove it. I have had chalkboard paint in my garage for 6 months now and haven't used it either.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why.
I do know that I can not STANDto write with chalk so it'd be strictly for kids :)
What a fun idea! I really want to play with some chalkboard paint.
ReplyDeleteCute! I love the shape of the tray. I am ashamed to admit that I have not jumped on the repurposed chalkboard bandwagon. I see so many cute versions in blogland. Guess I had better get my act together!
ReplyDeleteI think this turned out really well. It fits perfectly in that space!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done anything chalkboard yet, so you beat me! Hey, there's some Liquid Masking products that make curved edges lots easier than tape. 'Course they cost 'bout $5, but you'll find tons of uses for it once you get it. Just peel if off when you're done painting.
ReplyDeleteHey girl, it's about time you bought some chalkboard paint! :) I love that tray, the curves got me right away.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an awesome Trash to Treasure Tuesday project, if you'd like to link up! Have a great day.
That is sooooo cute! I've been dying to get my hands on some chalkboard paint. Bad thing is, I can't decide what to try first.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about the Decorating Dilemma Party. I've got a house FULL of decorating dilemmas.
classic chalkboard never goes out of style! beautiful quote!
ReplyDeleteHow cute is that? I'm so glad you linked it up. I like how substantial and curvy your tray is. I've been looking for something similar but only found one that weighed about as much as my 6yr old.
ReplyDeleteComing over from Spindle cottage (and my other blogs too ;-) ) . This is cute and the quote matched what you had just accomplished! I didn't use the spray on kind--I tend to have bad luck with spray---it doesn't cover well, or too windy or I breath it in or it gets old and the next time I use it it peals or is that peels!! ha! I don't think it rings!! Anyways, great job!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! You did an amazing job triming out along the edges!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to my first party!
How darling~ I love how it turned out. Love the chalkboards that have lovely curvy details! Stopping by from the Chalkboard party~ Nice to meet you! :) stop by and say hello sometime! :)
ReplyDelete