Chalkboard paint!

Here are some of the latest ideas on how to use chalkboard paint. With the Christmas season coming to an end I need to find some new craft projects to keep me busy! You can find all of these ideas on my Pinterest board under Chalkboard Ideas.

Chalkboard Table
From bonniegetchell.blogspot.com

Label your herb pots
From robinbecksnest.com

Originally on my Upcycling Wine Bottle & Corks blog ~ Table Numbers
From baysidebride.com

Never forget which wine glass is yours
From justshortofcrazy.com

Jar Labels
From vi.sualize.us

Chalkboard Frames
From moderntribe.com

Make an announcement
From lovewedbliss.com

Jar Lids
From blog.kanelstrand.com

Chalkboard Pendant
From henryhappened.com

Coasters
From brownpaper--packages.com

Uploaded by Pinterest user

Family Planner
From houzz.com

I would love to have a kitchen like this!
From gardenofsimple.tumblr.com

Fancy Message Boards
From homemade.tipjunkie.com

Write messages on rocks
From vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com

I have just the piece to do this on!
From fauxology

Label the food for you guest
From mysocalledgreenlife.com

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How to Make a Tierred Terracotta Tower

I found this on Lowes website. A free cute project but make sure you have a free day to work on it.

You can find the tools need, supplies and instructions here. Below are my photos of the process.

My supplies

Drilling holes in 2 of the saucers took the longest amount of time.
Go slow!

Cut my dowel rods to size. At the same time I started step #4 and cut my poplar to size.
When drilling your holes into the ends of the rods MAKE SURE you are drilling straight.
I did not pay attention to this too much and had to go back and redo some work! :/

Wrapping the twine. What a sticky mess!

Find the center of your cut poplar and drill a hole. Then squeeze some glue on it
and line it up with the hole of you biggest saucer

Thread your screw through

Now place a little glue to your washer and place it on the end of your dowel.
I also placed a little glue on the saucer.

Tighten the screw into the dowel.... but not too tight!

Using your pliers, screw the dowel screw halfway into the top of the rod.
If I did this again I would move this step up a few. I think it would be easier
to screw the dowel screw in while the dowels not attached.

Thread the 2nd saucer through the dowel screw, add a washer and tighten the 2nd dowel.
Now you can see why it's so important to drill the holes correctly into your dowels.
I had to disassemble and redo some work after this.

Finally, glue your smallest saucer on top

Add some leftover twine to your small pots

Once the weather warms up, fill your pots
with flowers or make it an herb garden.

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Need another last minute gift?

My family is torn between the coffee lovers (me) and the hot cocoa lovers (everyone else).... So maybe 'torn' isn't the correct term since this usually implies 'torn down the middle'. Regardless, I found a recipe for homemade hot cocoa and put my creativeness to use. Below is the recipe and the basic steps for this quick gift. Make a few ahead of time and save yourself the hassle of running to the store at the last minute.

Recipe:
10 cups Dry Milk
1 3/4 cups Non-dairy Creamer
1 3/4 cups Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
4 3/4 cups Confectioners' Sugar
Bag of Mini Marshmallows

In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Stir thoroughly. Makes about 15 cups or 45 servings. Store in airtight container.

Grab a few cute jars and fill about 1/2-2/3 full of hot cocoa powder. Add the marshmallows to the top.

I created my own label with the instructions for making a cup of hot cocoa.
You can make your own or there are several websites with free downloadable labels.

For added cuteness, tie on some Christmas ribbon. And if this for an adult,
add a small bottle of Baileys or another yummy liqueur.

If you happen to have a coffee lover in the family, use this idea but fill the jar with their favorite coffee beans.

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Mini Christmas Tree for under $25

This year I've heard several people say they're not putting up a Christmas tree or even decorations. WHAT!!!! It's not Christmas without a tree folks! It's a must! So after digging out all my holiday decorations I remembered I hit up a few sales after Christmas last year and found a little mini tree on sale. Below is a faster, cheaper and much easier way to "put up" a Christmas tree this year.

Supplies:
Mini Tree
Metallic Spray Paint
Glitter Spray
Mini Ornaments

Ribbon

You can usually find these for under $10.
Especially if they're on sale or you have a coupon.

I wanted a silver tree with lots of sparkles. So I used a little metallic paint. It's best if you stand a
couple feet away from the tree and pulse your finger on the spray nozzle while continuing to move
around the tree. This will help from getting a streaky look. Then cover the tree with spray glitter.

Ready for all my decorations. These all cost
a couple of bucks each at a local store.

I love bells! I've had these three bells forever. I'm not sure
where they even came from.

But with some metallic paint they're a perfect fit!

I took a tip from cake decorators. Wrapping the ribbon while hot gluing was much easier
with it up on a pedistal (ie. a large wine goblet).

Get to decorating!

10 Crafty Gifts!

Not a fan of using the yarn and hook to complete my last blog, 5 Last Minute Crochet Gifts? Well here are a few crafty projects just about anyone can do!

Chalkboard Coasters
Crazy Wonderful

DIY Monogram Mugs
Design Mom

Homemade Terrarium
Squidoo

Write a favorite quote or poem with painted wooden letters glued onto a canvas

T-shirt Scarf
Hello Giggles

Monogram Frame
All Things Beautiful

A different version
Yay, I Made It

Do you like them but don't want to get crafty? Buy one on Etsy.
Look at shop studio6fresno

Frosted Votives
Bliss Images and Beyond

Vanilla Sea Salt
My Baking Addiction

Watermark T-Shirt
U-Create - dye a shirt

Or do the opposite and bleach your shirt. This could also work for
kids t-shirts, totes, etc
Domestic in the City

Homemade Pasta Salad in a Jar
Under the Table and Dreaming
(There are several desserts in a jar here too. Drool!)