A few months ago I had the pleasure of working on a couple projects for my friend and her super cute, little boy she was expecting at the time. She asked me to help her with a chalkboard. Of course I'm always happy to help but have to admit I was not looking forward to making a chalkboard. Blah. They are messier to do and with my specialty being chicken wire frames this was something new in my court. I knew I could make one easily but it would be a longer process and I did not want to mess it up.
First on the list was to find a frame large enough to meet the request. I decided to use an old door screen. The Mr. took out the screen lining for me. I painted it with Annie Sloan's French Linen, distressed and waxed with Johnson's paste wax. I thought it came out so much better than using a regular, old frame. My friend likes rustic and this screamed rustic. A frame would of looked very traditional.
Next up was making the chalkboard. I used chalkboard paint in the can and a sheet of particle board from Home Depot. Nice thing was I bought a super large piece and they cut it into the sizes I need. Yeah I was smart and had extra made to make more. Might as well, huh?
I painted the board with two coats of the chalkboard paint. I did one coat one day and the second coat a second day. I wanted the first coat to have a full day to dry. After the board was dry I attached it to the screen using small nails. I nailed every two inches or so.
What a cutie, huh?
Now I didn't stop with only a chalkboard. I made a surprise for baby and my friend. The theme for the baby's room is cars. I thought it would be fun to make her a barn wood sign to hang over the crib. I knew she would LOVe the barn wood but I had to come up with a design that would appeal to her and not be cheesy.
I used a piece of barn wood we had left over from my sun sign project that we got from our family farm. So, YES, I used some good, old, real barn wood.
The word, "VROOM" is what kept coming to mind. I didn't want just the word, though. It is a baby's room so needed to be playful. I wanted more color too. Drawing is not my forte so I had to keep it simple. A road. That was it!
I stenciled "VROOM" with red paint and kept the letters playful too. I did them in a pattern that mimicked movement. I made the first "O" large and the second small.
The road I first drew using chalk. Great thing about that was when I messed up I could wipe away and start over. Once I liked how it looked I painted it in using black paint. For the road lines I traced with chalk and then filled in using white paint. Luckily The Mr. is the artist in our home so he helped me a ton with the perspective of the road to make it look real. Phew!
Now please let me know what you think. I miss hearing from you all! I also want to make sure you all aren't having problems leaving comments on here. It honestly has been a while. :(
Linked to:
First Home...Love Life
Cozy Little House
