Have you ever tried something, just wondering if you could pull it off?  This project would be one of those for me.  I've done variations on the "count your blessings" with picture frames, but thought I'd see if I could do something with chalkboard paint. 
      I went to my handy dandy Home Depot and picked up a piece of MDF board- they cut it for me at 12"- I was able to get four 12" x 24" pieces for approximately $5.00.  Can I get a WOOHOO! ?  I happen to think that's a pretty good deal for all the projects you can do with those pieces (not to mention I can cut them down at this point with my miter saw- to do even MORE projects).
       I primed my board and then brushed several (approximately 3) layers of chalkboard paint on- letting it dry in between layers.  I used the technique I found on Pinterest for transfering the font onto the board (it's Doris Day, if you're wondering)- which consists of printing out the lettering from your computer, then rubbing pencil on the underside of the paper.  Tape the paper where you want your lettering, then trace over your lettering.  The pencil lead transfers the outline of your lettering- then you can fill it in with paint. 
        I watered down some flat white paint, and then used a fine tip to outline and fill in the letters- I loved the fact that with this being chalkboard, I didn't have to worry about filling it in so that the black board didn't show at all.  (I'm incredibly picky about that, and will spend an unreasonable amount of time trying to make it look "right")  The look mimics the look of chalk- it's a win win! :D
      I will say that before anyone writes on this, chalk needs to be rubbed completely over all the surface of the board, then rubbed off, to prepare it for use.  If you skip this step, what you write won't erase completely, and you will be at the very least, frustrated!
       I'm getting hooked on chalkboard paint- it's really fun, and pretty easy.  You can buy it in a spray can, or brush it on with a quart of it. 

      I finally did it!  Woohoo!  (What I finally DID was add numbers to my bench that I painted almost a year ago. ) I need to include my inspiration for it : http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/02/b-is-for-bench-5.html  .  As soon as I saw her numbered bench, I knew most certainly that I wanted to make my own. 
       I used the technique I learned of printing my image out from the computer, then rubbing pencil on the back of the image.  Center the image where you want it, and trace around the outside of the image.  You can use a snip of tape on your paper as a hinge- very handy for checking to see how it's transferring, and if you need to go over something again. 
       Once I was done with that, I took some black paint- I used FolkArt brand, and thinned it down a little bit, so it flows evenly without thick brush lines.  I used a fine liner paint brush, definitely a good investment, and it was only a few dollars.  I definitely recommend FolkArt because it is highly pigmented, and still not very pricey all things considered (under $2) . I have learned through the years as I've bought various acrylic paints, that if you pay a little more for FolkArt or Americana, it covers better and you spend less time painting- not as much need for multiple coats with a better pigmented paint.
       After letting it dry, I sanded lightly to distress my numbers (made sense since the bench itself is distressed).  I'm really pleased with the result, yay! :)  Only took almost a year to finish...

Fall Burlap Garland

       Okay, my inner craft nerd was totally stoked this afternoon... After much preparation work for our latest MOPS craft (this is not it- I willl post it soon), I was desperate to "play".  You know what I mean, by "play", I mean play with my craft stuff and create something fun.  For our MOPS group, we'd used squares of burlap tied up to hold goodies for our first meeting's goodie bag.  As soon as I saw it, I had more plans for that burlap than the garbage bin. 
      I folded it in half diagonally and cut, then repeated folding again with the 2 pieces and ended up with just enough for a little "Fall" pennant garland.  I used the empty pieces from my Cricut vinyl- the "negative space" left over, and painted dark brown paint in the open letter area... Inside, my nerd-dom was absolutely squealing at this point.  I used some cream twill tape and hot glued my burlap pieces over it.  At that point, I turned to my bag of ribbon scraps- I adamantly deny hoarding!  (My husband might dispute that!)  I actually do use my ribbon scraps!  I won't save any short enough that I can't tie a knot with.
      It was quite by accident that it ended up staying on this particular wall.  I was surprised how nicely it looks underneath the wreath- I hadn't planned on putting any Fall decor there, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out.    Sshhhhh... ( I didn't even let the paint dry before I started gluing..... I was that excited about what I was going to make :D  )
      I love recycling and reusing things and I especially love when it turns into something cute and useful! Yippee!

"Those who wish to sing" sign

Yay!  I finally made something for my own home- specifically, my girls' room.  I've been working on so many other things that I haven't felt like I've had a chance to work on anything for myself for a while.  This sign was on my "to - do" list, and was one of the first things I cut out with my jigsaw.  I wasn't sure how I felt about how the shape of the wood looked until I painted it and distressed it, now I really like how it turned out.  I love this saying and it makes me think of my little girls, who are always singing.  There's no way to stop someone if they have a song in their heart, is there? :)

Make your own wood tray!

       First things first :  I found the tutorial for how to make this tray at : http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/04/diy-magazine-tray.html .  This blog is fantastic for tutorials on how to make your own, well, lots of things! I didn't add hardware other than the handles.  These handy dandy wood trays are made from furring strips- not the smoothest wood you could use, but it adds to the distressed, less than perfect look.  It also made this tray around $5 ish dollars or so to make- including the handles.  It's a pretty decent size tray too- sturdy!
       So the details:  I painted parts of it brown, then aqua.  I decided it was a bit too aqua for my liking, added a vinyl stencil, then painted white.  Before the paint dried, I peeled off the stencil, revealing the undercoat I'd distressed a bit.  I'm still not completely sold on how I painted it, but I'm not sure what I'd do differently.  I have more wood in my garage to make another one, and I want to put some kind of a word on the side, I just can't figure out what I want to put.  I can't really paint it until I decide. Bahhh! 
      I definitely recommend making these- I did use my miter saw instead of the hand saw the tutorial recommended.  Maybe mine was really dull, but I tried it and it just was not a happening for me.  Then I ended up with an uneven cut.  Double Bahhh!

Talk about a quick craft!  If you have a spare picture frame you're not using, and a whole lot of hair clips that need to be organized, then here's a great idea to help you out.  I took an empty frame that I found at a rummage sale (50 cents,can't be beat!! ), sanded it and painted it, then hot glued strips of cute ribbon to the back of the frame.  I started to run out of ribbon on the last one, so I looped it and glued it to make spots for our headbands to fit in.  Both the frame idea and the looping I've seen on blogs and Pinterest, but never seemingly to a specific person....   Please excuse the layout of the pictures- if they're a little bit wonky it's because I haven't figured out the new format of Blogger...   if you have a lot of headbands, you could make a frame devoted to the headbands in addition or instead of the clips.  So go reduce, reuse, recycle! (and ORGANIZE in the process! :)  )

Grandchildren

     I  made this sign for a friend from church, who decided that it would be the perfect gift for her mother.  It was a pretty simple project- paint the wood black, then a sage green, distress with sandpaper, and add vinyl lettering.  I know of a few grandmothers who would enjoy this sign too ;)