Tray Turned Chalkboard

     Sometime ago I got this tray at a thrift store (you can see the post here). I knew from the get-go that it was destined to be a chalkboard.

Now, thanks to a little spray paint, it is!

I'm pretty pleased with the results.

To make it, I covered the edges with painter's tape. Then I applied two coats of Martha Stewart's Metal Primer Paint (got it at Michael's).

Once that dried, my hubby applied two coats of chalkboard spray paint.

I gave it 24 hours to dry, then I conditioned it by covering the entire chalkboard surface with chalk and erasing it. 

     You can cover pretty much anything with chalkboard paint. Pinterest is full of ideas. I'd love to tape off a rectangle on the pantry door and turn it into a chalkboard.

     When you're out and about- especially at thrift stores and/or yard sales, take a good look. You don't have to use items for their intended purpose. After all, this tray won't be used for carrying drinks anymore!

     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,

the world and those who dwell within.

Psalm 24:1

This post is linked to Sassy Little Lady,  Craft-O-Maniac, Between Naps on the Porch, Making the World Cuter, and Skip to My Lou.

For the Record. . .

     Take a look at this quirky cake stand. . .

 

made from a record!

 

All I did was glue a candlestick to the bottom of a vinyl record.

 

Isn't this cute?

All you need to make it is

vinyl record

candlestick

E-6000 glue

 

Glue the candlestick to the bottom of the record. Give it 24 hours to dry. For the record, I think this is one of the easiest projects I've ever made!

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

 

 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2

 

 This post is linked to 5 Days 5 Ways, Sassy Little Lady, Shabby Creek Cottage, Embracing Change, Happy Hour Projects, I Heart Naptime, and Tater Tots and Jello.

Thrifty Thursday #55

     Happy Valentine's Day!

     I'm back with part two of my estate sale treasures. Last week I showed you what I got on my first visit. Today I'll show you what I got when I went back the next day- which was the third day of the sale- everything was half off, Baby! I think by now, you all know that I love secondhand shopping- but when I get to do it at half off, I am walking on sunshine!

     I picked up some more vintage hankies for only $1.25.

I got this beautiful hand-stitched piece for $.75.

I have two more of these from a previous yard sale. I need to figure out something really cute to do with them.

 

These old Viewmaster reels were only $5. They are really old. I'm thinking of selling them on Ebay. Anybody ever tried that?

I got this earring and broach set for $2 (only one earring is in the photo, but it came with two). I've seen lots of vintage jewelry repurposed on Pinterest. Can't wait to do something with these.

 

 

Look at all these old stamps! I got all these for less than $2. The ones that aren't in a bag are from Brazil!

 

 

I had seen this big bag full of stamps on my first visit, but I didn't want to pay $15 for them. At fifty percent off, they became something I needed!

Keep watching for projects using these:)

 

While I was waiting in line to pay (which was a long, slow line, I tell you!), I found this film. It's not on a reel. I need to do a little research and see if it's worth anything. If not, I'll be cutting that fella up for projects!

     The next time you drive by a sign advertising an estate sale, give it a whirl! You never know what you'll find.
     Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

Psalm 16:1

This post is linked to Apron Thrift Girl, My Girlish Whims, and My Repurposed Life.

Recipe of the Week #54- Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

 

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
2 tbsp steak sauce
1 cup beef stock
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp butter
4 hamburger rolls
4 slices provolone or American cheese

Pre-heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef and brown 5 minutes, breaking into chunks. Add the onions and pepper and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Slowly add the beef stock and steak sauce. Simmer about 5-10 minutes until the sauce is reduced by half.

In another medium skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Toast rolls.
Serve mixture over rolls with a slice of cheese melting on top.

 

Oh. My. Word. This meal was so good! I don't know if it was the flavor of the beef or the toasted buns- or the mixture of both, but I totally loved this! It was indeed a hit with my family- except for my younger goofball son who isn't overly fond of loose meat sandwiches. He said it would be ok for us to have again in three months. Much to his dismay and the rest of our delight, we'll be having it much sooner than that!

 

I found this recipe here.

 

O my soul, you have said to the Lord,

"You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You."

Psalm 16:2

 

 This post is linked to 52 Mantles, Too Much Time On My Hands, and Tip Junkie.

 

Valentine Crafts and Teacher Gift Ideas

    Here are a few Valentine's crafts.  .  .

 

This is a set of old spools that are full of love. If you'd like to see how I made them, you can go here.

 

 

I made this Valentine's bunting out of old playing cards. It was a super easy project. If you have twine, playing cards, and a set of letter stickers, you can make this. You can go here to see how.

 

I made two strands of this heart garland- one out of old book pages and this one out of an old comic book. You can see the tutorial here.

 

These first three projects were made for Valentine's Day, but I liked them so much, I kept them up all year!

 

 

Here is an idea for a teacher gift. Send her favorite soda with a little chocolate. This project is super easy, but perfect for sending to school on Valentine's Day. After all, who doesn't like a little treat? You can go here to see more.

 

 

This is one of my favorite discoveries of all time- chocolate covered gummy bears. Heavens to Betsy- they are sooooooo good! Whip up a batch of these, then put them in a snack size Ziplock bag with a paper doily stapled over the top. What a delightful gift! You could give a bag of these to your co-workers, grandparents, or your child's teacher. You can see how to make these here.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless.

To God our Savior, who alone is wise,

be glory and majesty, dominion and power,

both now and forever. Amen.

Jude 1:25

This post is linked to Tip Junkie, Too Much Time On My Hands, Craft-O-Maniac, Making the World Cuter, Between Naps on the Porch, and Skip to My Lou.

Message Tile Gift Idea

     Sometime ago, I found a bunch of tiles sitting curbside (that's my subtle way of saying that I found them in somebody's trash).  I, of course, brought them home thinking that I could use them for something.
      Here's a quick and easy gift idea using one of these tiles- after all, Valentine's Day is coming.

 

My tile is 4 1/4" square.

I used rub-ons place the quote, "I love you because. . ." 

 

 

The dry erase marker easily wipes off so you can personalize the message every day.

 

You could make one for your whole family to use or one for each member of the family.

It would even make a good gift for grandparents. My boys are going to give one to my mom. I think she'll enjoy having this to exchange messages with the boys. Who knows what they'll write!

You could even give one as a teacher gift if you used a quote like, " You make me. . ." or "I like how you. . .".

 

Once you apply the letters, I suggest that you either glue magnets to the back or place it on a plate stand for display.

 

If you want to make one, all you need is

a tile (any size will do)

a set of rub-ons

dry erase marker

plate stand or magnets

 

What do you think? I think we could all use a little love note here and there!:)

 

If you like this project, go here and here to see other projects I've used with tiles.

 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

 

For You will light my lamp;

The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 18;28  

 

This post is linked to Embracing Change, Happy Hour Projects, I Heart Naptime, and My Repurposed Life.

 

 

Thrifty Thursday #54

     I went to an estate sale that was in our neighborhood. It was a three day sale and I went on the second day, so everything was 25% off the marked price.
     Estate sales are so fun because you get to walk through the entire house- kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms,the backyard, and even the garage. Although, they're also a little bittersweet because somebody's life is laid out before you- all with price tags.

     I got this set of three vintage handkerchiefs for $2.25.

 

Aren't they pretty?

I've seen lots of cute projects using old hankies. Once I get enough of these, I'd like to sew them into a cute cafe curtain for my kitchen.

 

 

     I also picked up this set of gray pearls for $1.50. I'll use them to make bracelets.

 

 

     And I got this very old pattern for fifty cents. I cannot pass up one of these!

     Come back next Thursday to see what I picked up when I went back for the final day of the sale.

     I hope you all have good luck with your yard sale-ing adventures this week! Thanks for stopping by and God bless.
    

For where two or three are gathered together in My name,

I am there in the midst of them.

Mat. 18:20

This post is linked to Five Days Five Ways, Apron Thrift Girl, and Tatertots and Jello.