Chalkboard Frame

I had started the project a while back, but never gotten it how I wanted it. At first, I used green chalkboard paint, but the chalk doesn't really show up on green.
Finally I decided just to go with the original black.

I just used a regular 8x10 frame and painted right on the glass.
You need:
Frame w/ glass
Paint (preferably acrylic because it's easier to clean up after)
Grout

There is many recipes on Pinterest for chalkboard paint, but I don't really measure I just dumb some grout in the paint and stir it up. (That's Rachel Ray style... "Ah...that looks like enough!")

I also painted the frame. I didn't want just a plain black frame, but if you have a frame that you like, viola... you're set!

I put my frame on some newspaper to spray paint. I came back to see if it was dry and found this! I thought it was picture perfect!

Stick it all together and you get....

I have now filled out this weeks menu! This has never worked for me before, but maybe now I'll have a new motivation!
2 days down!

I hung it with a aluminum can tab. (which I also found on pinterest)

This was super easy and way better then trying to find the ring that always falls down before you get it on the nail... you know what I'm talking about!!

So I just screwed it on and bent it out a little so it is not right up against the frame!

There you have it! A project finished!!

Crafty jars and Moss Wreath

I pin stuff on Pinterest all the time, but rarely get any of the ideas done. I finally got a couple projects done. My inspiration to finish this was playing with my nephew a couple weekends ago.
He always want me to play with him... and I always do. This past time was, "Let's go play with Bobby's toys!" So, upstairs we go and drag out and dump all over the floor, TOYS!

While going through these toys there were some little farm animals. I stuck a couple in my pocket for this project. I saw another lady had done this and it was so cute.

Here is my version:

I just hot glued them to the lids

Spray painted the flat black

And Viola!

Also, I made this wreath last week!

Supplies

Not Great pictures, I know!
But it turned out pretty cute.
I like it plain, but I also like that I can add different stuff for each season!

Cyprus Lumber

When Bobby was in high school he accumulated some lumber that his great uncle and Great Granddad had put in their horse barn in Katy, Texas. When Bobby and I got married we took some of that lumber to make furniture for our house. Bobby and my dad made a table top and we had a guy make legs out of Cyprus lumber he had cut. It made a beautiful dining room table!

We also took remaining lumber to make a bench and a "John Wayne" gun rack!

Bobby and the bench

John Wayne Gun Rack

We have thoroughly enjoyed having these pieces in our home and have just enough left over for a coffee table. Oh how I can't wait for that!

Have a great day!

Mandie

Homemade Laundry Soap

A couple weeks ago I tried to make some homemade laundry detergent. It did not turn out so hot! I messed it up big time! So, I found a new recipe that I thought would work better. It was tons easier, plus I did it correctly this time. I keep seeing people say, "be careful or you'll have soap everywhere!", which gives the the clue that laundry soap is probably best bought in the store. So what do I do, decide to make it. That's the thrifty-ness in me I guess.
I got my new recipe from The White Silk Purse and she did all the figures on how much you save and stuff (I'll just take her word)! You should check it out and if you're thrifty like me you can make your own! Good luck!

Mandie

Owl Pillow

So, I guess I have owl fever. I think they are just so stinking cute. The other night I decided that I was going to try out one of my Pinterest finds! Here is the end result. I'm so proud of this little guy, he is so cute.

T-Shirt Quilt

A friend of mine gave me some of her t-shirts to make a T-Shirt quilt. So, now a year and a half later I have finally finished it... and just in time to miss Christmas, too! Aren't I good! I'm definitely not a pro at this, but I think that I'm getting better every time!

Lets hope that she doesn't see this before she gets her package!

Christmas Blocks

So, I saw these on Pinterest and decided I needed some. I think that they are cute, even though they originals are way cuter! I'll get better at this thing!