Chalkboard Closet Doors

My husband calls me the ADHD DIYer because I can't just have one project going on at one time, I have to have three or four!  Actually, I'm just a multitask-er who doesn't like sitting around and waiting for the paint to dry (literally or figuratively) on a project so I get busy on another one.  The downside is that sometimes LIFE gets in the way (like finding out right after the honeymoon I was pregnant with twin girls!), and projects get haulted.  What I really hate is walking by day after day and seeing all these unfinished projects, so when I get a chance (and I took three days off from work this week to do so), I want to cram as many projects in as I can.  So - you ask, what is the latest project?  Chalkboarding one of my daughters' future bedroom closet doors.  I didn't take a before pic but I do have an "in progress" pic to share.  The doors were primed before hand and I will warn you that chalkboard paint STINKS!!!  It also requires a 6 hour, YES 6 hour, wait before I can apply a second coat...and the way it looks now, I think it's going to take 4 or 5 to get the true effect.  I'll keep you posted.

Here's some after pics...the girls love them!!!  Can you tell they've been going to VBS this past week?

First DIY Project - Trunk Makeover

I always wanted a trunk.  My mother had one that she dragged around the globe and back, and I remember her storing old costumes she and my dad had from the 60s; so fun to play dressup in!  She even had old fancy shoes and cocktail dresses she'd worn way-back-when that she also stored in that trunk.  My poor husband drove all over the foothills to find one for me; he hit every antique shop he could find, and finally found one...but it was painted a hideous brown, as you can see from the BEFORE photo.  We store art stuff in this trunk; it sure doesn't reflect it on the outside though.  I talked my husband into digging out the sander and I'm ready to start! 

Well...I've learned a lot already in a day.  I wasn't sure if this paint was oil or water based and I googled how to tell the difference and got a tip.  Dampen a cotton ball with alcohol and rub a small area, if the paint comes off it's water based, if it doesn't then it's oil based.  Ugh!!!  Well, I first thought.."great, now what do I do with this water based black paint?"  Then I googled and saw several recommendations for a primer called Zinnser Primer for All Surfaces.  Went down to Lowes, found it and slapped a coat on it and this is what it looks like now...unfortunately it calls for a 24 hour waiting period before applying paint to the surface, though it dries in 30 mins.  So glad it does dry fast as I did this indoors and just as I tested to see if it was truly dry the rain started coming down and I had to let my dogs inside.  Luckily, it actually did dry in 30 mins.








I actually like the high gloss finish and label...that's all that goes in this trunk now...art and art supplies!  So much better looking now.

Face Painting

As I promised, here is that wonderful book I used to help face paint all the party goers at my daughters' birthday party a few years ago.  It was a lot of fun!  I will post some of my pics for you soon.

Sidewalk/Driveway Art

We've had a lot of rain lately, here in the zinfandel capital of the world, but when the sun finally decided to come out the girls took advantage of it with some chalk and greeted her with colorful art all over our driveway and sidewalk.  Sadly, when the rain came it washed it all away...but we're waiting for another sunny day to do it all over again!

How it looked after the rain washed it all away!

Creative Memories

 

Here's Kate at Christmas at Woodbridge Winery making crafts.

Here are my nieces and cousins painting rocks they found on the beach in Anacortes, a project my mother gave them to do when they said they were bored.  

Ally making frosted cookies in Woodbridge Winery at Christmas

Here are my daughters and their BFF with faces painted like snow leopards!