Pantry Chalkboard from Craft Goodies!

It's Wood You Like to Craft? time again and this month I got to choose the theme. Oh! What's a girl to do? So many projects on the to-do list...   I have been dying to get a bit more organized in my kitchen, particularly in  my pantry so {selfishly} I opted for CHALKBOARD PAINT PROJECTS for May's theme.   I love chalkboard paint, my girls LOVE chalkboard paint, and as I searched for the perfect idea I found that lots of people like chalkboard paint too! My project list only grew as I kept searching.  But, in the end I found my inspiration and here's what I came up with...

  

I LOVE it! I adore clocks of all shapes and sizes and adding one to this fun little chalkboard just makes my heart smile.

I started with the intention of building a simple frame and then opened up the closet and found one there, the perfect size, just waiting to be used. So I swapped out the glass for a thin piece of MDF cut to fit the frame.

I used my chalkboard paint on the MDF--probably 4 layers, maybe 5. {Not sure, I was catching up on Dance Moms while I worked...}   Once that was done and drying I turned to the frame. Some white paint there and a bit of sandpaper gave it the look I wanted, and then I re-assembled my frame/chalkboard.

  On to the clock...I found this little gem at Goodwill, only $2! It was bright red and said "Happy Holidays!". The cashier thought I was crazy for buying it, you should have seen the look she gave me. But it was the perfect size and had all the hardware.

I pulled the hardware off, painted it black and then white, and then sanded it to match the frame. I covered up the holiday greeting with some scrapbook paper, added a few numbers, and then put it all back together again.

 

I added a few small wooden blocks to the frame to help support the clock and then glued it onto the top of the frame. **Be sure to set the clock high enough that you can still get to the battery compartment**

  And last, I tied a piece of ribbon around the frame and added a few small clothespins to hold pictures, notes, recipes, etc.

Isn't it just SO cute! Right now, it's still in the "LOOK! Mom put a chalkboard on the pantry for us to color on" stage so grocery/to-do lists might have to wait a few more days. But, once the novelty wears off I will be one step closer to my organized goal.   I am thrilled with my project and cannot wait to see what the other WYLTC gals have come up with. Check back all week for some great ideas on how to use your stash of chalkboard paint {cause I know you have some...}   Have a great week and as always, happy crafting!

Personalized Crates from Craft Goodies!!!

Happy Thursday crafty friends!

Sorry for the tardiness of my post but life is crazy these days.

Wendy here today to share a bit of my organizational needs with you.

This theme is so very needed in my life these days, we just moved from Southern Texas back to the Pacific Northwest and my house is in desperate need of some organization because I'm pretty sure moving boxes don't count! I went for a pretty simple project today for a few reasons. One, because I do need them and 2, because all my tools are still packed, so simple it is!

 

So here's my plan: make a little crate for each of my girlies. Place said crates into the laundry room and fill with each little ones clean clothes. Holler at the little ones to come and get their clean clothes and then they magically disappear and return to the laundry room empty!

Cross your fingers it works...

Anyway, these would be so great for a playroom, the bathroom, a bedroom, even by the front door to collect shoes. And they are so much cheaper to make than to buy.

Here's what you need:

Pine 1x10 by 8 (that's enough for 4 crate ends)

5 gallon paint sticks (buy at Walmart or get for free at Lowe's/Home Depot)

**I used 16

Cut the pine board into 1 foot sections, you'll end up with 8.

 I then used a boring bit to drill two holes at the top and then my jigsaw to cut the rest of the channel to create hand holds. You can totally make these with out these. Or get creative-- drill two small holes at each end and tie a rope or ribbon for a handle, add store bought drawer pulls, what ever suits your needs!

Cut the paint sticks to the length you want your crates and then attach them to the side boards with nails and glue.

I used 6 on the bottom and 5 on each side, the spacing is just shy of 1/2 and inch on the bottom and 1/4 inch on the sides.

Once your crate is together, get personal!

I painted mine to match bedrooms--you know so they won't get lost from the laundry to the bedroom.

I typed out my daughter's name on the computer, adjusted the size, printed and then used that image to create a stencil with some contact paper. Applied the stencil and black spray paint.

My cri-cut would have been a WHOLE lot simple but it's still buried in a box somewhere.

And really, I think I like the paint better...

Only 4 more to go in my step to claiming one room of this house!

 Best of luck in your organization efforts

{and please feel free to send me a little bit of that, goodness knows I need it!}

Have a great weekend and happy crafting.

Wall Shelf - Crafty Sisters

Hello again from Crafty Sisters!
Nicole and I are so glad that Krystal picked the theme of "organization" this month for Wood You Like To Craft?

It gave me the inspiration to finish the shelves that have been sitting in my garage for the past two years!  I was also inspired by my husband's words as we cleaned out the garage that they might end up in the landfill if they are not finished. :)

 To build the shelves, I used the Flat Wall Bookshelf plans by the amazing Ana White.  The shelves are similar to the Madison wall shelf by Pottery Barn.

The shelves are built out of mdf, sliced to size by the nice guys at Home Depot.  I used primed mdf 1x2's for the front slats, although they do split very easily so make sure to pre drill everything that you can.  A countersink bit and lots of wood putty were great for the screws and holes.  I primed them 2 years ago and that's pretty much where I left off!

After a couple coats of spray paint and a new purpose, they were good to go!

Instead of displaying my children's books, I decided the shelves were the perfect size to hold my craft supplies. The shelves are narrow so it took some creativity to make the perfect containers.  I used mason jars with painted lids and papered tops to hold my small supplies.  I found that light bulb boxes and Costco graham cracker boxes were the right size too.  I covered each with cute wrapping paper for an easy fix.

I added a dowel above one of the shelves to hold rolls of ribbon.  I love it and it keeps all my crazy ribbons in order.  I have some fun plans for these two shelves in a crafting area that will hopefully be done soon!

Thanks for the great theme and inspiration Krystal!  A huge thanks to Ana White and her amazing plans she shares with us!