Chalkboard Fun!

I bought this lovely little tray several years ago with the intention to chalkboard paint it to write lovely little sayings on it.

Then I was lacking the chalkboard paint.  Wouldn't it figure that Michael's didn't sell it?  I've got to rant here for a moment.  If you want to pass this paragraph and go to the next I won't be offended. My favorite craft store in the whole wide world is Hobby Lobby.  Those are my peeps, right there!  Part of it has to do with the fact that when I was a Stampin' Up demonstrator over 8 years ago I think every worker in the store had hosted a party at some point.  Besides, sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came.  (Do you hear music?)  Me and Hobby Lobby are like that.  Sorta.  The only problem in my love affair with Hobby Lobby is it's forty-five minutes from my house...talk about a long distance relationship!  If I go in our large 15 passenger van it's like $10 in gas just to go there and back!  (I'm really not sure...I'm guessing, but I guess it's something close.) If I go in our car it's more than  half that, but hubby has the car most of the time and when I go in the direction of Hobby Lobby I usually multi-task and take care of other errands which means I usually have some kiddos with me, which means that I have to take the van. So.. Other craft store options...JoAnn's.  Well they're right down the road from Hobby Lobby.  So that's no different.  *sigh* What's a girl to do?  I was so excited when Michael's moved into our area!  It's about 20 minutes away, near the grocery stores we frequent, near my favorite Kohl's, and on hubby's way home from school so if I really need something and am really specific (He calls it "idiot proof"...he's not an idiot, just so you know...he's actually rather brilliant.  Moving on...) he'll stop and pick it up for me.  He'll even use a coupon for me!  He's super awesome like that!

So...back to Michael's.  Nope.  No chalkboard paint.  That's my problem with Michael's they don't carry what I need when I need it.  *sigh* Guess where I got it?  Just guess.  Hubby knew I had been looking for chalkboard paint, saw some at Menard's and bought it for me!  I told you he was brilliant!

Where was I?  Oh yeah...back to the project!  Phew I can really get sidetracked, can't I?

So.  Being the impatient one that I am I didn't tape off the edges of the tray. Hubby always tapes everything off when he paints, but me?  Nah...I'm wild like that.  *wink*  (Actually I'm not allowed to paint walls unless I'm using the roller...in the middle..."cutting in" is not on my list of things I do well.)  So...I painted it and it looked like this....  

Um...yeah.  I'm thinking there may be something to that taping off business.  *sigh*

Then I had a lovely little assistant "season" it by rubbing chalk all over the paint.  (It had to dry for five days...oh the agony!  I am not patient like that!)  It was totally against my beliefs to totally mess it up like this...

But it had to be done. Then I rubbed the chalk around with a paper towel and then wiped it clean with a damp rag. 

After it dried I got out my Chalk Ink Markers (in classic colors) and they have Earthy Colors (I loooove these!!) and decorated it.  Like so!

Isn't it lovely?  It only took me oh, like, 3 years to actually get down to business.  *sigh*  But, it's done and I'm so glad I did.  Now, I think I'm going to go raid hubby's wood shop for more wood to paint.  Every room needs a chalkboard (or two), right?

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