Chevron State Sign - Tips and Tricks

I saw this adorable idea to make a sign with the outline of the state.  However, my first attempt was anything but successful.  So in order to help you avoid the same mistakes, I have compiled what I learned in this post.  

Chevron State Sign

Materials:

- Board

- White Primer

- Outline of your state printed on white paper

- Pencil

- Painter's tape

- Scissors

- Ruler

- Black Paint

- Paint Brushes

- Black Chalk Pen

Steps:

1) Paint the board white (It took me three coats with about an hour to dry between.)

2) Transfer the outline of your state from the paper to the board (See previous blog post called "Getting Perfect Lettering for Pennies" for the transfer method.)

3) Cut and place 6 inch strips of tape in the chevron design.

          *Tip: I tried to cut a straight line with the tape so that I could just use a 90 degree angle with each piece.

          *Tip: Try to keep the outside really straight, but if you need to fudge some of the corners (like I did) do that in the middle of the state shape so that no one will see it.

4) Paint white along the edge of the tape.  This seals the edge so the paint does not bleed.

          *Tip: Do NOT skip this step.  On my first attempt, I forgot this step and had to spend so much time touching up my mistakes.

          *Trick: If the paint does run, you can use a chalk paint pen in white or black to touch up your mistakes.

5) Paint the strips black.  Be careful not to paint into the state shape! (I did 2 coats with an hour to dry in between each.)

6) Carefully remove the painter's tape.

7) Outline the state with a black chalk pen.

8) Paint a star or heart on your desired city location.

Step 1: Prime the Board

Step 4: Sealing the edge with another coat of white paint - The MOST important step

This is what happens if you skip Step 4

Step 5: Paint the black strips.  Be careful to avoid the state shape.

Step 6: Carefully remove the painter's tape.

Step 7: Outline the state with a black chalk pen.

Step 8: Paint a star on your desired location.

Or Step 8: Paint a heart on your desired location.

Get Perfect Lettering for Pennies

So lately I've been on a sign kick.  But, my freehand lettering attempts left a lot to be desired.  Then, I remembered an old trick I used to trace pictures as a kid. Using this method, you can make perfect letters each time.

Materials: 

- Saying printed in desired font on basic printing paper

- No. 2 pencil

- Painter's Tape

- Chalk Marker (I used Marvy's 6 mm Bistro in white)

Steps:

1) Print the saying in your desired font

2) Scribble across the back 

3) Place the paper in desired position on your sign
4) Tape the sign in place using painter's tape
5) Trace the outside of each letter

6) Remove the paper

7) Carefully trace each letter and then fill in the letter using the Chalk Marker

Sign with Perfect Lettering for Pennies

Alter a Men's Flannel Shirt into a Cute, Feminine Top

I love Black Friday!  However, sometimes I buy things that weren't exactly anticipated.  This year I picked up a small men's flannel shirt in the chaos of that night for just $6 at my local Wal-Mart.  But, when I got home, I found that it was far too baggy for me.

Before - Men's Flannel Shirt that needs some Alterations

So what's a girl to do?  I decided to alter the shirt with a really quick fix...a three line gather.  It's so easy that anyone who can thread a needle can do this alteration.

  

Three running Stitches

Gathering the Fabric

Materials:

- A shirt that is too baggy

- Embroidery floss in a complimentary color

- Embroidery needle

- Scissors

Steps:

1) Measure and cut about 1 foot of embroidery floss.
2) Knot the thread on one end.
3) Thread the unknotted side on the needle.
4) Starting about four inches from the left hand seam, pull the thread through the underside of the shirt (so that the knot is on the inside of the shirt).
5) Thread the needle in and out with about an inch between each stitch.
6) Repeat this process so that you have three lines.
7) Gather the material by sliding the fabric down the thread.
8) Secure each line by knotting on the end of the thread inside the shirt.

After - Men's Flannel Shirt Altered into a Cute, Feminine Top

So the next time you make an impulse buy, have no fear.  You can make it work for you with this simple alteration!

Boost your Immunity Naturally!

Today northwest Iowa feels like it is -50 degrees with the windchill.  My husband, a med/surg (medical and surgical) nurse, just walked in the door from an overnight shift.  Of course one of the first things he does when he gets home is shower.  However, there are things that he and you can do when you know you are going to be exposed to sickness.  As a special education, I face germs every day!  I wanted to share two things I do every day to boost my immunity naturally.

Boost your Immunity with Echinacea Golden Seal

Echinacea Golden Seal:

- I put 5 drops of this in my morning coffee to boost my immune system.

- Friends of mine who have children, put 5 drops in the kids' morning milk or water.

- Recently, I have just been adding it to my Elderberry Juice.

Boost your Immunity with Elderberry Concentrate

Elderberry Concentrate:

- This is my newly discovered secret to boosting immunity!

- I mix 1 ounce of the Elderberry Concentrate with 7 ounces of water. 

- I add in 5 drops of Echinacea Golden Seal.

- The mixture tastes very similar to grape juice so picky kids and husbands can handle it.

Using these two products daily has helped me to naturally boost my immunity this winter!

Chalkboard Sign

Signs are all the rage in home decor these days, but they can be very expensive.  As a part time homemaker, I decided I could make my own.  I wasn't sure what to use for the surface because wood and canvas can both be costly.  My mom purchased old, solid wood cabinet doors at an auction for next to nothing.  Here is how I turned them into inexpensive chalkboard signs.

Materials:

- Surface (wood, canvas, or old cupboard doors)

- Spray Cleaner

- Paper Towels
- Wood Filler (I used Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler in a Natural Color) 

- Painter's Tape

- Chalkboard paint (I used Krylon...29 fluid ounces from Hobby Lobby for $14.99 with 30% off)

- Flathead Screw Driver (for opening the paint can)

- Paint Stir Stick

- Chip Brush (Iowa slang for an old junky brush)

- Foam Brush

- Chalk Marker (I used Marvy's 16 mm Jumbo Bistro version)

Chalkboard Sign Supplies -
Painter's Tape, Chalkboard Paint, Screw Driver. Paint Stir Stick, Chip Brush, Foam Brush, and Chalk Marker

Steps:

1) Remove any existing hardware.
2) Clean the surface.  I used a liquid spray cleaner and paper towels.  Allow to dry completely.
3) Fill the holes where the hardware used to be.

4) Using painter's tape, create a crisp outline for your chalkboard.

Upcycled - Old Cupboard Doors get new life as Chalkboards

5) Open and stir chalkboard paint.

6) Apply first coat of chalkboard paint. I used a foam brush on the edges near the tape and the "chip" brush for the center.

7) Allow to dry for one hour.  (Be sure it looks completely dry everywhere.  As the paint drys, it will turn lighter in color and be less shiny.)

8) Apply the second coat of chalkboard paint.

9) Allow to dry completely.

10) Using the chalkboard marker, write your saying.

11) Carefully peel off the tape.  I found that a 45 degree angle works best.

After - Old Cupboard Doors transformed into a Chalkboard Sign - "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

Hopefully this tutorial will help you update your home decor without breaking the bank!

Upcycled Stenciled Tabletops

Have you ever bought something because it was "a great deal," and 24 hours later realized it was NOT a great deal because the item you purchased was soo ugly?  Not a fun place to find yourself.  When my parents bought a local steakhouse and needed to outfit it with 10 booths, they could not believe their ears when they heard $10,000 was a fair price.  My mom being the deal hunter that she is went searching.  She found and purchased booths and tables from a restaurant that had closed.  She was so excited to show me her exciting find.  However, I was speechless at the sight of these ugly and outdated tables.  How could anyone take their business seriously if they looked like they were collecting things from the trash?  

Before - Hideous Old Tabletops

So, here's where my skills came into play.  I, too, like my mother, have a talent for finding things.  I searched Pinterest.com for ideas.  I adapted what I found for our uses and went from there.

Materials:

- Old Tabletop

- Oil Based Paint Light in Color

- Oil Based Paint Dark in Color

- Painting Supplies (I used a 4 inch roller and a paint tray)

- Stencil ( I used "Paisley Allover Stencil" from Cutting Edge Stencils           http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/paisley-allover-stencil.html)

- Painter's Tape

- Sealer for Oil Based Paint

After - Stenciled Tabletops

Steps:

- Apply 2 coats of base color. (I used the lighter color.)

- Apply painter's tape for a crisp edge.

- Position your stencil (I started in the upper right hand corner.  I worked across and then began the next row being sure to line up the shapes on the stencil.)

- Gently roll on the the darker color (once the stencil has been used a bit you can be less careful).

- Let the paint dry.  (I waited 2 hours.)

- Reposition the stencil and continue the same process.

- Once the whole piece is covered with the design and dry, remove the painter's tape.

- Coat evenly with 2-3 coats of sealer.

Although it took me all weekend to complete this project, I am so thankful that my parents took the risk of letting me "upcycle" these tabletops.  They get comments all the time about how beautiful the tables are.  I love this project because for less than $100 I turned trash in treasure.  I hope you will do the same!