Thursday, February 28, 2013

{Trash-to-Chalkboard Transformation}

Hey, y'all!  If you've followed along here for a while now, you know that I am not above getting "treasures" out of my neighbors' trash to transform.  (Remember the bench I saved from the trash?)  My husband will actually tell me now if he sees something I might want instead of trying to divert my attention.  We've come a long way...  Recently, I saw a pile of wood that was some type of cabinet doors or a wooden screen.  I saw some potential in the junk and got my husband to bring it home.  I was able to totally transform one of the pieces.
I started with this whatchamacallit.
I wiped it down with a cloth, sanded it, and wiped it down again.
I used Martha Stewart chalkboard paint on the center of the piece.  I taped off the edges with painter's tape and applied several coats following the directions on the paint bottle.  When that was thoroughly dry, I taped off the inside and sealed the outside edges with a coat of Polycrylic.  Then I had to condition the chalkboard paint.
The chalkboard paint bottle directs you to rub a layer of chalk over the entire painted surface before writing on it.  After that, my trash transformation was complete.
I love the wood grain paired with the black chalkboard.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this makeover!  It feels good to save something from the trash.  :)

17 comments:

  1. Love it! Hubs used to find it annoying when I'd mention things in the trash/dumpster/etc. Now he's like, "hey, my office is throwing away stuff. Can you use..." or the time he carried a kitchen table across the street because I found it at another apartment complex.

    I want to make a chalkboard sign now.

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  2. Cute! Unfortunately, my husband stops me from picking up stuff ;-) Luckily I still have some stuff stashed in the garage, ha ha!

    Love your new blog layout, so elegant! =)

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  3. Adorable. I just love chalkboards. My hubs too gets a little mad at all the trashed items I pick up, but he's grown to accept it and now helps in finding stuff. lol
    I would love to also invite you to join Totally Tuesday and link up your blog for my first ever link party: http://www.madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/02/totally-tuesday-1-link-party-time.html

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  4. Love this. It's a great size for a chalk board.
    Ruth

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  5. Your chalkboard is perfect. Great save. Isn't that the best way to make things, re-purpose something that would have ended up in the trash? Makes me so glad to think of all the great stuff bloggers are saving instead of pitching. Loving it and what great use of a cupboard door.
    I recently did my first cupboard door chalk board. ($2 at Habitat) I painted my frame but think I'll use some wax on it to seal it. Hubs going to put a small narrow shelf on bottom just to fix it up a little more, someplace to keep eraser and chalk. Happy Days. Glad you shared such a cute project.

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  6. What a wonderful save! It's a perfect chalkboard and I love that you kept the edges the warm color that they are.

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  7. I LOVE IT! I wonder if the neighbors will recognize that it was there whatchamacallit or not :) It's an incredible transformation and save.

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  8. Clicked from Answer is Chocolate's linky party. Great transformation. I agree--the wood and chalkboard paint combo is beautiful. Great job! I've done a few chalkboard transformations, also. Would love for you to come over and visit at altered-artworks.blogspot.com and say hello.
    Doreen

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  9. I love this and your cute little bunting, too!

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  10. I LOVE this idea! And I think your garland is very chic!

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  11. This is too cool. I love to see great transformations. And chalkboards are the best!
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

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  12. Hi, Bethany

    This turned out great and I love the rustic wood.

    Vanessa

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  13. Looks great Bethany ... The old pine wood is so pretty with all the knot holes. Glad you left it natural. Great job and doesn't it feel good to keep stuff from going to the dump? Thanks for stopping by Timeless Treasures with a nice comment. Hope you will visit often.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z.

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  14. I love how this turned out! Trash to treasure...gotta love it. Very cute!

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  15. Fantastic idea! I also love your little rope banner too!

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  16. Hello Friend! Guess what? THIS lovely post will be featured at Smart School House for Whimsy Wednesday! The new party and your feature will go live later today. See you soon!

    Kelly from Smart School House
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SmartSchoolHouse
    Google+https: //plus.google.com/u/0/111902135882668872474/posts

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  17. Bethany! Thanks for allowing me to feature your sign in my round-up of 20 DIY Chalkboard Projects. You've got me feeling more inspired than ever about the powers of chalkboard paint.

    Warmly,
    Lauren
    The Thinking Closet

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Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)