Let the New House Crafting Begin!

There are several craft projects that I've had in my head for a while now that were just waiting for us to get settled into our home. 

And Ryan Gosling made me do it.

So I busted out my newly acquired chalkboard paint and had some fun.

Project #1: Making a message board for the counter from a cabinet door sample.

I decided the trim on the front would be pointless as a chalkboard, so I taped off the area that I wanted to end up being a chalkboard leaving behind only the trim.

Extend the tape past where you want it and use an xacto knife to make a perfect line.

Make use of the leftover sample paint cans from painting the house.  Bonus of knowing it will match!

Paint your trim.  The center is compliments of my 3-year-old helper.

Peel it off before it's completely dry.  Then tape the outside if you don't want the chalkboard paint to go around the curved edges.

Forget to take pictures of painting with chalkboard paint.  It takes a full day to dry between coats though, so you have to be patient.  Something I'm horrible at.

 

Voila!  You have a lovely message board.  Right now it's being used to keep track of my decluttering project.  I make tally marks in the center as I get rid of things and then have my new total in the bottom corner.  It's very motivating to have it sitting there staring at you from your counter every day.

Project #2: Meal Planner

I have to remind myself often what my plan was for dinner each night.  And if I don't see a reminder I forget to set things out to thaw, soak, or whatever needs done to accomplish the meal.  Thus, a meal planner that can stick to the side of my fridge in plain sight.

Pick up a cheap-o piece of craft wood from Jo-Anns or wherever sells craft stuff.

Cover in 2 coats of chalkboard paint.

Add some pretty stencils.

Add the days of the week.

Stick to the side of your fridge.  Super easy.  Much more organized than I was.