Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Party Saturday!

Wow...I guess I was pretty busy this week with projects and posts.  I guess that is what snow will do to you...trap you in the house.

It's been a crazy month for snow here in Minnesota and this week was the worst!  It's been snowing since last Thursday...which a freak snowstorm in April isn't unheard of but a whole week of snow (over 12 inches) and it has been so cold.

 I keep shouting..."WHERE IS SPRING???"  

Each week I create a new chalkboard for my family.  My huge chalkboard is located in our dining room, so everyone sees it all the time and it has become a big deal to the kids to see it each week and contemplate over what it means.  Especially our 7 year old daughter, who isn't quite sure most of the time.  I try to find something that fits with what is going on with our family or can inspire the kids to greatness.

{ This weeks chalkboard is for my daughter, Megan, who just started

 her first job and will be starting Marching Band next week. }

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Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hK9PdaIcgaY1LzzXNeltsuX71HOQK6tjM72L6Idql_3xWCI8GPgcUhEFkC8cCRE5dTBxkpTVvYokuQEUdHOQ8fXO4P-LYP_IBPuONKQUyeFiwLYK3RQZg2qCSZq104_Kb8tR2mz-VqfH/s220/chalkthumbnail.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Linky Party!

Chalkboard Obsession & Creative Party!



Spring finally seems to be showing itself, since we had a thunderstorm and My Darling Hubby is out on the deck sanding the dresser, next in line to be refinished! Yay! (Watch for it to come)



Here is this weeks chalkboard!

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Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hK9PdaIcgaY1LzzXNeltsuX71HOQK6tjM72L6Idql_3xWCI8GPgcUhEFkC8cCRE5dTBxkpTVvYokuQEUdHOQ8fXO4P-LYP_IBPuONKQUyeFiwLYK3RQZg2qCSZq104_Kb8tR2mz-VqfH/s220/chalkthumbnail.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Scrapbook Art & Creative Linky Party

I love scrapbooking but I'm so far behind on my scrapbooks it is overwhelming.  I do love having that scrapbook feel though and still display my favorite photos.  To I decided to start combining them together.  I have found using frames and canvas as my base piece work very well!

********************************************************************************

Now... it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3MCfldM4z7v2Y_XzdcWy157XkAzTUBVMpf7FkWsqH-tWbDG1SqXt6DTXgHgOjsPJu8JtntIwqFYPhlJcA8viqBx-i_5TZPc-e9yg8zh-ImOnpQjk5r-WpIH8l2CexX9uu8HTKyUaBgX/s220/thumbnail1.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Gift Frame & Friday Linky Party #6

I've been trying to use some of the craft stuff I have around the house before I go out and buy more fun stuff.    I found this plain white frame I've had for years...about 7 years at least...just waiting to be used.  My Mom will be away from home while she is going through her treatments for stomach cancer and I thought it would be nice to have a photo of all of us together and some words of encouragement from each of us.

I call it a gift frame...it could be used for Grandparents, get well from a family or co-workers, a wedding present, wishes for a new baby, graduation or any other occasion you would like.  It gives a personal touch with handwritten words on it.

I used all scraps on it and was able to make 3 cards as well....what a deal!

1.  Find something to decorate (frame, book, box...)  2.  Rub an ink pad along edges to give some color without having to paint the whole frame.  3.  Add scrap papers to create a writing area.  I also added a frame I found around the photo. 4.  Write your wishes onto the frame.

Quick Scrap Cards

1.  Gather coordinating scrap papers and plain cards.  2.  Rub ink pad along edges of cards. 3.  Place a large block of scrap paper onto card.  4.  Layer long strips or blocks of paper to get desired look. 5. Add embellishments such as a saying, flower, ribbon or button.

Now it is your turn...What have you been up to lately?  

Show me anything creative, I love to be inspired!

{Share the Love} Linky Party

My rules are simple... Please start following me!

1. Share as many of your projects below as you would like...

2. visit other blogs that shared their projects...

3. comment if you would like.

4.  Grab a button...

lf you would like to be a co-host and grow your audience please email me: jennobyrne@gmail.com

<div align="center"><a href="http://throughmycreativemind.blogspot.com" title="Through My Creative Mind"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra3MCfldM4z7v2Y_XzdcWy157XkAzTUBVMpf7FkWsqH-tWbDG1SqXt6DTXgHgOjsPJu8JtntIwqFYPhlJcA8viqBx-i_5TZPc-e9yg8zh-ImOnpQjk5r-WpIH8l2CexX9uu8HTKyUaBgX/s220/thumbnail1.jpg" alt="Through My Creative Mind" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Coffee Table Redesign

Scott and I enjoy rummaging through thrift stores and antique shops.  We are always looking for that back area that has the "less desirable" things.  Items that need work or could be re-purposed but don't look great right now.     

The way this piece came together was kind of strange because the timing of finding each piece was perfect.

We were in the back room of our favorite antique shop and found this cabinet.  It must have been in a workshop or garage under a built in desk area.  The top and sides were not finished but the underside was.  It was $25 and we loved the huge drawers and handles on it.  Scott looked at me and said..."Well, here is our new coffee table."  ok?  So we struggled to get it in the back seat of the car and brought it home.

We sanded it up and used a furniture wax to darken it and seal it.  We had no idea what we wanted for the top though, so we started throwing around ideas.  Barnwood? Glass? Hum.... 

A day or so after we found the cabinet, I stopped at a garage sale a couple blocks from home.  I found this huge frame for $5.00 so I decided to buy it.  At the time, Scott was obsessed with frames so I was excited to get it home and show him.  He was very excited to see how big it was and then thought...wow...it looks the same size as that cabinet.  He brought it into the living room and laid it on the cabinet and it fit perfectly!

The frame needed a little attention since it was metallic gold.  He painted it dark brown and then used a brillo pad to rub some of it off.  The frame had a picture in it that was printed on cardboard.  We were going to take it out since it was ballerinas in bright colored dresses.  Scott suggested we try to wax over it and see how it happened.  It was beautifully toned down and we kept it in the frame and screwed it down to the cabinet.

Voila...  Our new coffee table!

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Monogram Frame

Scott and I love to go to thrift stores and little vintage shops around town to see what we can find to refinish or repurpose.  This is a plastic frame I found that I thought was very cool but a very ugly pea green.  Scott was not seeing my vision for it but I took a little time today to refinish it and make it into a monogram frame for our entry way.

You will need:
Frame
Turquoise craft paint
Elme'rs Glue
White Paint
Dark Wood Stain
Ribbon
Cardboard Letter
Paint Brushes

~ Paint the frame turquoise
~ Paint glue over areas that you desire to be crackled
~ Let glue become tacky...Don't let it dry too much!
~ Paint white over tacky glue. Let dry
~ Paint stain over desired areas and rub off with cloth
~Add embellishments

Tips:   Do small areas of glue so you don't feel rushed when painting over it.  Remember...Don't let the glue dry too much or it will not crackle.  If you want a little more color use a dry brush to add a little more color like I did on the top ornament and outside frame shown above.