Easy to Do-DIY Chalkboard Frame Craft

I've been wanting to make a chalkboard frame for months.  I see them around everywhere!  So a week before Christmas, I went over to Michael's Craft Store and picked up a few supplies for my chalkboard frame.

You will need: wire ribbon (about 40 inches)

scissors (not your good scissors)   

wood glue

paint (your choice of color) I used black or keep it natural 

sponge brush

chalkboard paint (your choice of color) I used black

frame 

wood (at least 1/2" larger then frame whole

tape measure (not shown)

chalk to write on board

  First, I measured my frame and piece of wood.  Cut your piece of wood to fit the back. On the frame you see below it's 1/2" larger then the opening of the frame because I didn't want the board to show on the front size because of the holes in the frame. If you purchase your board at Lowe's, they will cut your board for free.  Michael's had the right size I needed, no cutting was necessary.

Next paint your board with Chalkboard Paint and let it dry 1 hour between coats, I did 3 coats.  The last coat, let dry over night (Follow manufacture's instructions).  Also, paint your frame with whatever color you desire.  I used Folk Art outdoor acrylic paint in black just because that is what I had.  In the examples below you will see that I left the frame natural, you could paint a clear on to it. Further down you will see other examples in different colors.

The next day, bead a line of wood glue around the edge of board (not to much or it will bleed to the front).

Front side-lay the frame over glued board. If you get glue on the right side, wipe immediately with a damp cloth.

Back Side- use books to weigh it down to help it dry overnight!

Here's a smaller frame in natural. I wanted the black to show on the front, so board was cut a little smaller then frame.

(Example in black)

(Example in white) The black frame is underneath it.

Take your ribbon and cut to desired length.  I cut mine 40".

Run ribbon through holes.

Tie knots on either side.

Make bows and tie again, so ribbon won't come undone.

Write your message!

Hang and enjoy!!!

I hope you give this craft a try.  It was fun and I just love my new chalkboard frame!!!  Please post pictures of your frames.  I would love to answer any questions you may have, so please ask!

May you and yours have a happy, prosperous, and fun filled year!  Happy New Year 2014!

I Can Do All Things

During this crazy month of December, I kept thinking, there has to be a better way to  accomplish all of life's craziness (at least all of my craziness), to get organized and encourage myself to really express myself to others. I'm totally new to blogging and I do feel overwhelmed and wonder if I can bring that same awesomeness to my blog that I see in other blogs.

I can do all things through Christ who strengths me  (Philippians 4:13). Right, right! This verse in the bible, doesn't mean I don't have to put any effort into the things that come along my way.  Instead, it's because of Him, I can. Drawing near to Him and on His strength to carry me through!   I must draw on God's strength to care me through the messes I make and the trouble I get myself into! His word encourages me to think ahead and plug along.  Inch by inch, inchworming through the fog, the clutter in my head, and avoid becoming overwhelmed.  Break it down one step at a time.  

I want to do it all, but I can't.  At least, not at the same time. I must be focused on the goal and it's crazy different for all of us.  Here it goes.  Just a few ideas swimming in my head for the new year. A list of my goals and how I can accomplish these goals:

                 1.  Build my blog
                      a.  Join a few blogger communities
                      b. Study other sites

                  2.  Be better organized
                       a.  Get a calendar and use it
                       b.  Schedule a day and time to blog
                       c.  Purchase a note pad and write down ideas
                       d.  Make a list of things you need to accomplish

                  3.  Remove the clutter
                       a.  Get rid of the old to bring in the new
                            1.  I received a new blanket for Christmas, I will get rid of one
                            2.  Go through each room and toss out, sell or donate items
                       b.  Remove or add activities that help you reach your goals
                            1.  Spend less time on the phone
                            2.  I need to use what I have and not shop for more
                       c.  Break it down
                            1.  Work on one area at a time
                                   
                    4.  Be who you are
                         a.  Don't over think it
                              1.  Make it yours and own it
                              2.  Not everyone will like your ideas, but that's okay, I like it
                   
                    5.  You will fail but you will also succeed
                          a.  Write a down a verse , a saying, that encourages you
                          b.  Call a friend you can talk to and who has positive energy
                          c.  Play some high beat music and dance to it (it makes me feel better)
                          d.  Remember how blessed you are
                                 

I hope this has encouraged someone else to continue on their journey, what ever it may be.  I want to improve and grown in all areas of my life.   I know that things don't always work as planned, but we can put in the effort and inchworm our way through.

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Tissue Case

Hello everybody!  Here's a quick sewing project that's so easy!  Its quick and does not use much fabric, scraps, in fact!  Think I will be making one for each of my girlfriends!

It's a tissue case!  Sew Funky has a great tutorial: http://www.sew-funky.com/2009/05/01/tutorial-tissue-case/!

Please post your pictures if you decide to make one, make two or make more!

Christmas Spider Legend

How many of you have heard of the Christmas Spider Legend?  Well, if you haven't here it goes:

THE CHRISTMAS SPIDER LEGEND

A long, long time ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year ... Christmas Day. Not a speck of dust was left anywhere. Even the little spiders had been banished from their cozy corner high up on the ceiling. To avoid the housewife's busy cleaning, they finally fled to the farthest corner of the forgotten attic.

Finally, it was Christmas Eve. The tree was decorated and the children delighted. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the magic of the season. The oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could wait until everyone had gone to bed and then sneak through the crack in the door to see the wonders of the tree. The little spiders silently and carefully came down out of their attic corner and across the floor to wait in the crack on the threshold.

Pretty soon all was quiet, so the spiders quickly crept into the room. The tree towered so high that they couldn't see the ornaments on top. In fact, the little spiders' eyes were so small that they could only see one ornament at a time. They all scurried up the trunk, out along each branch, filled with a happy wonder at the glittering beauty. The spiders loved the Christmas tree. All night long, they danced in the branches, and every place they went left a trail of dusty, gray web. When at last they had inspected every bit of the Christmas tree, it was shrouded in the dusty gray of spider webs.

Santa smiled as he thought of the happy spiders seeing the tree and how much they liked it, but he also thought of how sad the little mother would be over the dusty tree. He reached out his hand -- and just then the sun came through the window and touched the tree. All the webs started to sparkle and shine turning into shimmering, sparkling silver and gold. The tree glistened in greater beauty than ever before!

According to legend, ever since this happened, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. It has been a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the tree..

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Heart and Hand

I've been getting my sewing on and with the holidays approaching, eek, it's time to push that pedal to the metal!  It will be here before you know it.

Here's a really cute gift you can give your sewing friends!  A needle keeper!  I used Darlene Zimmerman Fabric (Robert Kaufman), for the log cabin quilt pattern heart, except for the center fabric.  I used red felt!  The rest of the hand should be made from heavier fabric.

 

The pattern is from the book, Folk Hearts by Pieceful Heart Designs! The design is Heart and Hand Needlekeeper

Happy sewing!

Friendship Quilt

Eight of us ladies from church gathered together and decided to take part in making this friendship quilt.  I am so happy to have made this quilt!!

Each one of us was given the hand fabric and one background fabric, enough fabric to make 8 hand blocks. We all signed our blocks we made and gave each friend one of those blocks while keeping one for ourselves. Then each one of us  finished our own quilt, adding our own embellishments to the quilt. The blocks and borders where all made according to how each person wanted their quilt to look. 

The process of making a friendship quilt is such a blessing! I have a piece of my friends with me.  One of these precious friends who participated in making a block is no longer with us, but I have a part of her in this quilt.  I will always cherish that. 

There are so many great friendship quilt patterns available.  Gather your friends and start quilting!!!!!

Peak Hour

My most recent quilt made for my grandson, Benjamin, using a Riley Blake Design (On the Go)  and  Peak Hour fabric!  I changed it up a bit, only because I didn't purchase enough fabric!  I still love it, just the same!!!

For design: http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com
For fabric: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=peak+hour+fabric&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Trip Around the World

I just happened to be on a family vacation, when I needed to purchase a needle to work on my cross-stitching project, I was planning on completing.  Instead,  I decided to sign up for a quilting class.  The owner of the shop allowed me use her machine and other sewing materials to make this beautiful quilt, while the boys were fishing! I made this quilt, Trip Around the World quilt pattern, many years ago, but, I'm still proud of it!