Obligatory Bloggy Chalkboard Frame

A few months back when I started out as a rookie blog stalker (hey, I've come a long way), I kept coming across chalkboard after chalkboard, usually made from old frames 

(I have many which seem to reproduce when I'm not looking).  

Spruced up with some paint, ribbon, chalkboard paint, and some witty writing for display.  

Well, I myself am more of a furniture lover and not much of a crafter but you all are so inspiring out there, I thought what the heck, let's try.

So... this is what I found -

 Liberace called, he wants his frame back. Yeah, this guy here: 

 I found it at New Leash on Life 

(a local thrift store for unwanted pets) 

it was a little pricey in my book because it was pretty beat up and such an oh so lovely color.  

BUT for my four-legged friends, 

not a problem, 

you got it. 

(woof)

Now mind you, I don't dislike gold, a nice subtle creamy version, 

but this was Vegas gold, like BAM-in-your-face-gold.

So, I rough painted it with an ivory color, Mr. We cut out a piece of Home Depot hard board, I painted it with chalkboard paint and then... this is where I fail.

I got carried away with My Lit'le Fren 

apparently it was too powerful for the plaster detail on the front.

Then, I fail again.

Is anyone out there a Gorilla Glue expert?  

This is my second project with my second type of Gorilla Glue and both times it did this:

What the??????  

I see Gorilla Glue all over blog land and no one ever talks about this little expansion business.  

Is all Gorilla Glue like this? 

Now it's basically cemented in there, so moving on. 

I added the hooks on back, added a ribbon to hang it from and then decided I wanted to just set it on the table on the Jenn wall in my office

Next, I added a piece of chalk tied to twine:

Lastly, my Mom is visiting for the holiday so I asked her to do the honors and write something witty:

okay, close enough Mom 

(it says Thanks for the Hospitality).... 

she's so sweet.

Like I said, I'm not so good at crafting but I am now the proud owner of a bloggy-like chalkboard.  

Keep crafting you uber crafters, and I will try to keep up on occasion!

I have freckles too...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This year is strange for me, it's the first time my kids are off to spend Thanksgiving elsewhere (sniff...).  Getting used to this empty nest syndrome is odd to say the least.  So we are going to a relative's house for dinner  and it's the first time I can remember not cooking either!! 

All of my side dishes are made and we're watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - ah the life :) (although I would prefer the craziness of cooking dinner for 15+ people!).

Back to blog business.....

Freckled Laundry

I am now advertising with Jami at Freckled Laundry  who has launched her Vintage Market!  

I'm so excited because, well, look to the right ... not many followers yet <sigh>, so here's to hoping this will help my blog and my Etsy shop!


Enjoy your holiday~
Jenn

Put your feet up and relax....

I found this footstool last week and couldn’t wait to give it a makeover.

 It was wearing this sassy number:

I bought a burlap sack at the World's Longest Yard Sale this summer for $8.00.  PERFECT!

              (ummm..... not so perfect, I forgot to take a picture before I cut it up.  

               I know, I know, BAD blogger!)

The sassy material it was wearing was very easy to rip off so I started with a clean slate. 

"Say ello to my lit-le fren...." (best Al Pacino voice)

ooooolaaa, I love this thing!  If you don't have a pneumatic staple gun, you should get one !! It's a must if you plan on any kind of upholstering project.  

At first I'll admit I was a little skittish about the POW and puff of air that hits you and makes your hair fly back, but after a few minutes I was a stapling FOOL

Now I'm not sure I like the color of the legs and am trying to decide what to do with them.

I had the bottom of the burlap sack left over.  Not sure what to do with it yet.  Can you decoupage with burlap?  Pillow? Wall hanging?  

hmmmm... I will put it in my future project file.

So it's Sunday, put your feet up and relax!

Jenn


p.s.
I'm linking this project to: 
House of Hepworths

Primitive and Proper

You Just Never Know

To be a treasure hunter you need a strong constitution.  By that I mean sometimes you just have to overlook the unusual items you may see.  Carry on like you expected it there, CONTINUE THE SEARCH!!

Like for instance these commodes and used bedpan named Relax:

Or how about a box of legs:

Now I'm not saying there isn't a need for these particular items but to come across them while looking at paintings or furniture, you're just not expecting it.  But in my opinion that's what makes searching so entertaining.  

Sometimes one woman’s trash is another woman’s… well…trash!  But sometimes, you find gems like these:

 These are just a few of the lovelies I've found over the last month or so.  We just moved to Chattanooga and I'm getting to know the area.  I've found 5 shops I visit every week, am learning the bulk trash pick up days (you wouldn't believe the furniture people DONATE to land fills - ugh!) and increasing my square mileage coverage slowly but surely.

I'm sure I will see many more oddities in my travels and will be sure to share!

Enjoy,

Jenn

Who is Mr. We you ask?

First, let me say that I will give credit where credit is due.. well...sort of...

My husband is the best guy in the world - the perfect other half of me.  He says I'm a kite and he's just standing there on the beach watching me fly all over the place while he's holding the string - calm, cool, collected.  That's pretty much how our life goes, INCLUDING restyling furniture and all of the many other projects I orchestrate.

So the joke is, I have a habit of saying "we" should do this, or "we" should do that, when what I really mean is "he".  Like for instance, I want to make a chalkboard to fit in this amazing frame I found, and as I was explaining what I wanted to do I said "we" should go to Home Depot to get the wood and chalk board paint.

I think you see where I'm going with this :)

heh.

So now, I call him Mr. We.  I think it fits perfectly.....

Best!

Jenn

Cheers!

So, I have an affinity for glassware - IF it's in sets of more than 4, great condition, preferably retro.

I found these at America's Thrift Store in Chattanooga:

 

These beauties were from our adventure at World's Longest Yard Sale (will post more on this outing later!)


One of the things I was looking forward to about moving back east (we came from Phoenix) was the estate and farmhouse sales!  A few weeks after we arrived here in May, we found an estate sale of an old farmhouse and barn in Dalton, TN.  We spent about 3 hours there, I must have walked through 4 times and kept coming out with something new.  (I will post more of our finds later).  Mr. We found these in a china cabinet tucked behind a bunch of plates. Aren't they beautiful! (and they're super heavy)..

Here's to you~ Cheers!
Jenn