Thursday, November 5, 2009

Gifts - and a Giveaway!



I like to get ready for Christmas early, mostly because so much of what I give is handmade and I need the extra time!
I saw some cute chalkboards at a local home decor shop last year.  They were Christmas themed and adorable - which they should have been for $50 each!
I filed the idea away for this year and started picking up cheap (but chunky!) frames at the thrift store and at garage sales late this summer.

Once I had a few, I got started.
Here they are - BEFORE.

(this was actually my second group, I did a couple before this to see how they would work out)

First, I removed the glass and pictures inside.  Then I used needle nose pliers to take out the staples.



I taped off any portion of the frame that I did not want painted (many of these were gold, and since my color scheme was red and gold, it worked out to tape some off.)


Then I spray painted everything with Rustoleum's Colonial Red.
Most took 2 coats, some took 3.


When they were dry I removed the tape and added some decorative painting with gold craft paint.
I'm not much of a painter, so most of my decor was polka dots, lol!

I started out using hardboard, one of my favorite crafting supplies, for the chalkboard portion.  Eventually, though, I did use the back of a few pictures, since they were sturdy and already cut to size.



In the past I've always used spray chalkboard paint, but recently I picked up another type at JoAnn's.
I don't love it as much as the spray on kind, but it worked okay.  It took a lot more time, (and several coats!) but seems like it will last longer than the spray did.




Once the chalkboards were dry and the frames were complete, I broke out the Gorilla Glue.
In my crafting I use 4 adhesives.  Hot glue, if the project might need to be taken apart later and/or doesn't require a 100% permanent bond.  Liquid Nails, if I'm gluing wood to a wall or if I'm gluing a particularly large area that will have plenty of time to set up.  Quick Grip, if I need something that will set up in a hurry and/or I want something that will last forever.
Gorilla Glue, if it's a small area that needs to be bonded fast and strong.
For this project, I used Gorilla's Super Glue.


I ran a bead of glue around the channel that the chalkboard would sit in, and used it to attach the chalkboard.


It requires a bit of time to set up, and a few of my chalkboards (the ones that were the backs of pictures before!) were bowed and needed some pressure to set up.
My colander full of fruit with a teapot perched on top was the perfect solution.

Keepin' it real, friends!

In the end, I have a beautiful collection of Christmas chalkboards :)


And they only cost me...
an average of $2 per frame,
plus $3 for the chalkboard paint and $4 for the spray paint.  I estimate the cost of each finished chalkboard at less than $4.  LOVE it!
The amazing Chalk Ink works best on these, of course.  I bought a package at my local craft store (with a 40% off coupon, of course) the other night.  They are pricey! I'll probably give a marker with most of the chalkboards, but not all.  Even with the coupon they come out to a little more than $2 per marker.

I plan to give the chalkboards (with or without markers) as gifts to neighbors, teachers and a few others.
Including one of YOU!




Leave a comment to be entered.  If you're a follower you will automatically get an extra entry.
I'm going to leave the contest open through the 11th.  Is that excessive?  This is my first giveaway, and I can't recall how long people usually leave them open...
11 is my favorite number.  11/11 is my favorite date.  So it seems like good energy to close my contest that day :)

I'll be linking up to as many parties as I can between now and then, to get the word out!
Starting with Ashley and Whitney's Gorilla Clue Party!



Also linking to Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage!


And DIY Day at ASPTL's new digs!


And the "I Can Make That" party at Just a Girl






77 comments:

Mud Pie Studio said...

OMG...I LOVE these chalkboard frames! Sooooo fun!

There's No Place Like Memphis Mama said...

Love, love LOVE the chalkboard! What a great idea:) 11/11 seems good to me. If I ever hit 100 followers I am doing a giveaway!

Ann said...

These are fleeping adorable!!! Thx for sharing- love your blog!

Mom2PrincessJ said...

Great idea! I'm loving the red!

Pam said...

I just love this idea... my house is red too. : ) Have a small area that needs a hit and was just reading through your post thinking of how to use chalkboard paint in this one little spot. Perfect!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

I would love one of these! I am a follower!

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

I am 100% DOING THIS. Love this love this love this. And, I think it could be really cute for our New Moon Party, the red and black will fit perfectly. =)

And, I'm a follower of course. =)

PaulaDawn said...

Those are beautiful!!

Karrie said...

So So cute! You have such great ideas!

The Clines said...

How adorable! I am a new follower of your blog.

teresacline2001[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

Denise/Copy Cat Creations said...

What a clever idea and they turned out great.

Jen said...

Anyone on your Christmas list will be lucky to recieve one! Great project and adorable outcome! Thanks also for giving one away!

Unknown said...

Great project! Those will make fabulous gifts. I haven't tried the chalk pens yet, but I do like how they look! ;)

Jami Schoettler said...

I love these, they are very cute. And I love the look of the pen. -Jami

Mihills Family Blog said...

I found your blog at Shanty2Chic. Love these sweet (and inexpensive) chalkboard frames. Would love to win this!!

Debbie
rlmdam@sbcglobal.net

Mihills Family Blog said...

I now follow your blog!

Debbie
rlmdam@sbcglobal.net

Lucrecia said...

What a great idea! I love it and plan to hit goodwill tomorrow to start looking for frames!

One of my best friends' b-day is 11/11, how lucky is she?

Kim @ Cheap Chic Home said...

So simple and cute--I never would have thought of painting over the glass - duh!

HuNnY aNd PoPpA LeWiS said...

These turned out GREAT!! Love the idea!!

Emster said...

Just the gift idea I was looking for! Thanks for the great idea. :~)

Melissa said...

This is great! I have been wanting one of these for a long time. Thanks for showing me how. The gift is idea is great and I love that you have a budget to stick too for neighbor gifts!

cindy said...

I love the red! The gold accents you left on the frames and added yourself really make these festive and unique. I'd not heard of chalk pens, but I'll be checking those out soon :o)

Serena said...

I love these and would love to win one.

on a side note, where did you buy the markers? I've looked at my Jo-Anns and Michaels for the last month for them and can't find them.

Summer Rae said...

So pretty and festive! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

Heather L. said...

Wow, I'd LOVE to win!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Heather

Marchezt said...

These are adorable and make perfect gifts. Thanks for the giveaway!

Gina Sisco said...

Love the color on these chalkboards, holidays here we come!!

Cami said...

I am a follower! I love chalkboards and these are way cute!

Sherri said...

I love them! the idea and all! I know everyone you gift them to will enjoy them also. I'm up for a festive giveaway...too sweet! I'm also a follower. :-)

Anonymous said...

Those turned out so cute! Love the idea of doing a Christmas chalkboard!

Sandy said...

What a very COOL idea!! I love the chalkboards and I love that you painted them red!!

Unknown said...

Very cool! A bit of a different twist on the chalkboard! Oh, and I will become a follower. Someday I will win something.

Tempest Ahoy said...

What a great idea! I love it!

Heidi said...

What a great idea for gifts! chalk ink??? I've never seen this before, how awesome, do you know if it comes in other colors or just white?

Leanne said...

I love chalkboards and yours look great. Thanks for the giveaway and if this helps me win, I live in Utah too. Just kidding, you don't have to pick me just because I live in Utah. Love your blog.

Miss Eff said...

Oh I love chalkboard paint :) And would LOVE this frame! Great job!

Amy said...

What a cool idea. I will have to file this away to try later.

Jess and Brandon said...

I never win anything, but I'll try again :) Once again, great job Mandy! You are amazing.

Nutty said...

I'd love one of those! VERY nice!

Kelly said...

You did a great job on these! I would love to have one!

Kimberly said...

maybe i'll win. ;0)
I don't craft much, but heck, I'm a loyal reader. ;0)

Kelly said...

I love this idea. They turned out great!! okoraf at netscape dot net

Alisa D said...

SOOO cute! I am inspired to try this for some Christmas gifts now too!

Cindy said...

Love these chalkboards so much!!! I'm signing up to follow too. You've got a great vibe :)

Deanna said...

That red is such a nice shade!

Kristin said...

Pick me, pick me! I'll be lucky to even get my tree up by Christmas Eve so a little touch of Christmas magic would be the perfect help!

Amy said...

What a great gift idea! I really like these! Amy amydhay@gmail.com

Miss Mustard Seed said...

I love the red & gold frames with the chalkboard paint. Thanks for offering one as a giveaway! I am a follower, already, and I hope I win. If not, you've inspired me to make a red framed chalkboard. Also, I have never heard of chalk ink! I must get some.

Dianna said...

Very simple and cute idea. Makes a great gift. Something everyone can use.

Rita said...

Great idea... and 11/11 is a great day. Veteran's day and 2 days after my birthday and the day after my moms' birthday and three days before my dad's. I've always loved november.

Spencer and Corey said...

Oh I just love these frames!!!
They are soooo cute and such a great idea for holiday gifts!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

These are so cute! Great job! I would love to win one. :)

gail

Miss Megan said...

I'm a new follower and these are kickin!

Lynette said...

These are so awesome. They may just be something I'll venture and try! Love them!

Amy said...

Too Cool! So glad to join you on Diana's Blog. I can't wait to explore your site more. You have great ideas. I love these chalkboards.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love it! And I love the red you used, too. I think leaving the gold on some worked out and they look so pretty all together in the photo. Great gift idea and very smart of you to plan ahead and pick up the frames and pictures as you came across them.

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe said...

Looks just charming! I keep fruit in a colandar just like yours too! ;) Mine is bright teal!

HouseMama said...

Pick me! Pick me!
I love those chalkboards in red. Totally festive.

Julie said...

Hi,
Found your blog through Just A Girl party. Love, Love, Love, the chalkboard frames. I just picked some frames up at my local GW yesterday and you have given me an idea for them. Hope your holidays are wonderful!!!

Amanda said...

I love this idea and really never would have thought of it on my own.

Jamie said...

How cute are these chalkboards!!! Just found your blog through Just A Girl...I'm loving it!

Its So Very Cheri said...

I don't know what happened I thought I was already a follower-but I am now--I love your projects. I hope you'll post this to my Its So Very Creative party.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Cheri

Annikke said...

Stopping in from ASPTL and I love these chalkboards! What a great gift idea / giveaway!

Head over to my blog for a Rachel Ray cookware giveaway!!

Life with the Warrens said...

what a great, easy christmas gift! chalkboards are soooo kewl!

Dana said...

So totally cute! Love it, and thinking I should make some of these.

Wendy said...

very cute and great giveaway!

Christine @UnstructuredBliss said...

Love this idea - thanks so much for sharing!

Heather L. said...

Oooh, I'd LOVE to win one! Thanks so much!!!

Heather L. said...

I am now also a follower =) Thanks again!

Sandy said...

Wow those are fabulous. Thanks for the great idea. I'm a new follower

Erin said...

Those are so cute! I've got a can of chalkboard paint just itching to be used!

Leah said...

These are just so, so cute!!! Love the idea:) AND, I am now a follower!!!Yay:)

care said...

What a great gift idea! They are so cute!

The Ward Family said...

These are fabulous. I would love, love, love to win. I want to run right down to the little junk store and buy some frames to do this. It could be a countdown, wish lists, or the ideas are endless. Thanks for sharing.

angelnurse said...

I love these! I will definitely be trying to make these! Thank you!
Jamie

Alisa Slagel said...

What an awesome idea!! People will love them as a gift!!








alisa.slagel@yahoo.com

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

I love how you left just a little of the gold. It's beautiful, not overwhelming!

Related Posts with Thumbnails