Easy Poster make over

 Posters aren't known for being attractive, usually hung on the wall with wrinkles and pin holes. Here is a simple fix that really makes a nice piece of art that your kids will love.  Here is a poster we picked up for free at the movies and I thought I had gotten rid of it because I just did not want it taped to the walls.

 When my son found this poster stuffed in the back of the closet, both my boys were excited to see it again.  However, it had been through the ringer and I did not want it on the wall with push pins or tape.

Here is what I did to save it.

 The corners were torn and it was very wrinkled.

I decided to crinkle it up more and give it

a well worn look.  It is easier than trying to

 hide the damage.

I used foam board from the Dollar store.
I cut it with my fabric cutter and it worked well.
It was already to dull for fabric, now I found a good use for it.
 I smoothed it down onto the board then rubbed
ink over the top to further the aging process.

                                    I found a neat trick on Pinterest and attached a
                                         can tab on the back to hang the poster.

                              I used a pallet board and sanded it down to make a shelf.

                      It is a great way to hang posters, it looks much nicer than those push pins.

Using Chalk Paint

Anne Sloan has a great Boutique paint called Chalk paint.  It is different than Chalkboard paint in many ways.  With its ease of use it may be worth the cost and certainly the look it can create.

Regular and homemade chalk board paint should be used as regular latex paint.  The surface of the project needs to be prepared with sanding, priming, and then painting.  With ASCP  you do not need to prepare the surface.  The label on the can discloses that it can go over most surfaces even Lacquered wood.  Lacquer normally needs to be sanded and primed for any paint application so using ASCP is a great alternative.

I found this great large mirror frame on the curbside driving home one afternoon.  I knew I could not pass it up. 

 It was in great shape and has great detail.  I have a few ideas for it and it was a great candidate for Chalk paint.

 I did not sand or prime the surface as the label says.  The other nice thing about this paint is it is more concentrated for better coverage.  One quart will cover 150 sqft compared to 250sqft per gallon of regular paint. 

One coat did well for what I wanted to do.  I sanded some of the edges and areas it might wear over time.  Than I used the clear wax to seal it.  This is an important step to protect the paint.  I followed with a dark wax that I rubbed into the crevices and than wiped off.  Finally I did one more coat of clear and buffed it for a satin finish.

Come back soon to see how I used this great piece.

 I also have some great tips for using ASCP coming up soon.  I have a few other projects from my curbside find.

Happy Painting!!

Linked at
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

DIY baby toys

I hope all of you had a great Easter.  I spent today going through all those bunnies and eggs and packed them away.  Now on to more projects.  Spring means cleaning and organizing.  My little man is about 6 months and ready to play.  I decided to make some baby toys instead of buying toys at $10 or more at a pop!  That is really just to much for me right now.  Besides, this is my last and I won't be using the toys for any more children, I might as well save some money.  I pulled out some fabric I already had and put together some designs.  I started with drawing out what I wanted.  I wanted simple and easy to sew.  I have found that sewing with an infant is one of the more difficult crafts to do. 

I simply drew out a shape on printer paper.  Cut and pin to fabric. { Ikea has white blanket for $2.50, great for projects and soft, too.}

 I cut out my pieces and sewed them together. I got the idea for monster rattles from Pinterest. They are a bit different than the ones I pinned but there are some good ideas there.

 I did use some bells that I sealed in small cardboard boxes for a rattle in each.  I wanted to make sure they were well sealed in case it ripped open they would not be a choking hazard. 

 Little man loves the ribbons,  he can easily grab them and stuff it in his mouth.

 I used a chip bag for a crinkle noise in this one.  I sewed it in.

 I also sewed on tags from the craft store to add the last touch.  I love the way they turned out.  I just wish I had more time for sewing projects now that I am in the mood for it.

Linked at

Pallet Shelves

This is a project I have been waiting to finish and now that it is done I am so excited about how it turned out.  I am always driving by warehouses that have free pallets and wood out for the taking.  Free is always exciting.  I finally took the time and grabbed a few pallets to start some projects.  The original idea is from Pintrest, you can see my boards by clicking on the button in the side bar. 

 I left the rustic look of the pallet in place and we made a couple of cuts.  We then took an extra board and nailed it to the bottom for a shelf.

I am linked at

http://www.threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/

<img src=”http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j403/madeinaday/jute12223.jpg” alt=”made in a day” style=”border:none;” />

Domino pendant

Even though I have a brood of boys (FYI brood is three or maybe three is just a gaggle not sure:) I do like to make some easy girly crafts too.  Of course my Teen daughter thinks I am just lame. Yesterday alling me a Portland mom.  I asked her what that meant as I may have a different idea of Portland mom.   Her idea was different, she meant someone that makes "things and stuff".  I thought it would be closer to a tree hugging, recycler, that uses rain water to wash, then collects the wash water to water the yard.  Since I am a closet hippie I do not admit to any of these things. ( Besides I use the bath water to wash the bathroom and water the house plants.)  Any whoo,  I made these cute pendants from the Dollar store domino's, stickers, and chain that I saved from decoration on a pair of jeans. 

 After the stickers go on, use this Dimensional Magic to put a clear coat over the top.  Be careful not to add too much.  It can easily go over the edges.

 I glues a loop on the back and it' s ready for a chain. This one was to girly for my hipster daughter so...

I made one a bit more organic for her.  I used a large clasp to hod it to the chain.  She liked it and put it on for me.  I gave the other one to my little niece and she liked it. 

See my post at these link party's


 http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
http://soverycreative.blogspot.com/

Chalk Charger menu

Since we have moved in to our new home, eating dinner at the table hasn't been easy.  The table was the first thing to set up and clear and after that it was covered with sorting boxes and projects.  In an effort to start having family dinner at our table, I put together a simple and inexpensive menu board.  I have the kids help me put together ideas of what we are having for the week and each day write on the board what's for dinner.  It's also great for messages.

This is a charger from Dollar Tree and I had some chalk board paint. I also hung one at the door to leave messages for my family.

Chalk paint is definetly my new friend.  I will be doing more projects with Chalk paint.

I encourage Pinning and comments please.

Happy Painting!!

Tricia Marie

See me at this link party