Childhood Revisited

When I was growing up the writing instrument in our classrooms was a chalkboard. Those don't exist much in classrooms anymore because teachers have become allergic to chalk dust. That is very sad to me because as much as I enjoy a whiteboard, chalkboards are the BOMB DIGITY!
Another reason I love chalkboards is that when I was a kid, I dreamed of being a teacher who could use a chalkboard. I never did become a teacher but now I have my chalk board!
So to reconnect with my childhood, I made myself a chalkboard. I found some awesome paint by FolkArt that is "Chalkboard Paint" and I LOVE IT!!! (I try not to love inanimate objects but I have to love it...I just do!)
I had this paint for months without using it because I just couldn't find the right project to make. Then I pushed myself to focus on making something. I took a trip to Hobby Lobby and found exactly what I wanted and it turned out PERFECT!!!

The chalkboard size is 11x14 and it is actually an Ampersand Gessoed Masonite Board! It is a type of canvas, great for painting...No, really! CANVAS! It is amazing stuff and perfect for this project.
The frame is just your basic wood frame for an 11x14 canvas. I used paper napkins and Mod Podge to decorate the frame. I didn't paint all those polka-dots...I am not that talented. The napkins worked out great! It gave lots texture and added that flair that I like.
See the flowers? I finally figured out how to make the paper rolled flowers. And I really enjoyed making them. The papers are from lots of paper packs, sorry for not having the exact names.
Here are some close ups:

 So there you have it...my childhood revisited. I have it hanging on my living room wall right now using it as a countdown calendar for my big test coming up at work. I so enjoy writing on a chalkboard and think it will be a well used addition to my house. One point of future addition: I will be making some sort of chalk holder and I have a terrific idea in mind. I just need to put it off until after the big test is done on July 12th.
Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed my walk-down-memory-lane, and leave a comment so I know you came by!

Emma1

P.S. In case you are wondering what the orange and purple thing is above the chalkboard, look below:

These are picture boards that I made are made out of back-stapled canvases from Michael's, orange polka-dot napkins, Mod Podge, purple ribbon, and buttons. I did poke holes through the canvas to attach some buttons with waxed-linen thread and Aleena's Clear Gel Tacky Glue for the other buttons. I haven't added any pictures to the boards yet but this is just day one of their existence. I will probably take those boards to work and put them on my desk to enjoy them there. We'll see how that works.

Another "Welcome Home" Canvas

I find inspiration everywhere. I don't always know how to turn that inspiration into something real but this time I did. I have tried for a long time to make those paper rolled flowers but never was able to make any. Then I tried to make them again...and this time, IT WORKED!!! The flowers I originally made for this project ended up being too big so I used those on another project and made small ones for this project. 

My dear friend, Gina Maria Louisa Rita*, bought a house over a year ago and has on several occasions invited me to her house but things haven't worked out for me to get there. Then it came to my attention that I had not made a "house warming" present for Gina so I made this: 

The canvas is 8x8, or was it 10x10...can't remember now. The color is a combination of spray mists. The green is Maya Road Lime Metallic Mist mixed with Maya Road Pearl Metallic Mist. The blue is Ditto Glimmer Spray in a deep blue color (no name provided). Most of the papers for the flowers are from 6x6 paper packs that I have but don't remember who they are. I am so sorry for not knowing that. but they are all really cute paper. The letters are BasicGrey Dark Chocolate Chip Micro-Chip Stickers. One of the reasons the final version is so shinny is because I used a spray fixative as the final coat. Since Maya Road Mists are not waterproof, I thought it might help to have a fixative on it. 

 Before it was finished, I added some glitter glue to the center of the flowers. Honestly, if I did this again, I would not add the glitter glue. I didn't really like how it turned out. The green and purple glitter glue is from Studio G (Michael's Dollar bins) and the black is Black Diamond Stickles.
Gina's reaction was WONDERFUL! I actually love having her look at my crafts because she ALWAYS loves everything I make. It really gives me an ego boost when Gina reacts the way she does. She is also a hugger! She has the best hugs and they are so strong, I feel like my head could pop off at any second! :)
Gina said she will take picture of the canvas's when she puts them up so I will post on here when she does.

Enjoy and I will catch you later!

Emma1

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent. Though the first name is her real name. The rest I made up. :)

Welcome Gnome...House Warming Gift

My best friend, whom I call "Chickadee", got married on May 19th. She is such a wonderful person and am so very thankful that God put her in my life. Mr. & Mrs. Chickadee also just bought a house so what I made for them should fit right in. 

Chickadee likes gnomes and I am sure these gnomes will like hanging on the wall in her new home. 

I used three 6x6 deep canvases from my local craft store. I believe the brand is Artist's Loft. 

I used an old Butterick clothing pattern and Mod Podge to prepare the canvas. Once dried, I painted the grass and sky. Before the paint dried, I wiped off as much of the thick paint as possible. I did this so that the pattern will show through the paint. 

Next, I used the "My Little Friend"clear stamp set from There She Goes stamp company. The clouds and sun were painted on with Golden Molding Paste mixed with paint.  

I plan on giving Mrs. Chickadee this home warming gift tomorrow. I am sure she will like it because she always tells me that she likes my crafts. She is such a supportive friend...

Enjoy and if you make something like this, please post a comments & picture. I would love to see what you make. 

Emma1

P.S. on a side note, Emma 2 & Family might be moving into a house of their own in the next couple of months. Emma 2's mom (my sister) & her husband have found the house they want and put a bit on it today. We are praying that if this is the house the Lord wants them in, He will make it work out!

Mixed Media Wall Art

I have really started to get into mixed media wall art. There is a lot of inspiration out there on the internet like this website and this website. Stephanie Ackerman and Christy Tomlison are very talented women and I have learned quite a bit from both of them.
That brings me to my most recent creation:

These wall art pieces are done on 12x12 painting canvas. I did not prepare the canvas in any unique way, just started Mod Podging old Butterick patterns on the canvas; then added a light layer of paint once the Mod Podge dried. The tree, flowers, and house are paper pieced on the canvas. The clouds and walkway on the cottage canvas are a mixture of paint and molding paste. SO MUCH FUN!!! I still have a few things to add to the cottage canvas so I will put a final picture up when I am done. 

Thanks for stopping by and watch for the next installment of Mixed Media Wall Art. :)

Emma 1

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***********************************UPDATE**************************************

Here is the finished house canvas...Let me know what you think.

The photo isn't great but I think you get the idea. :)