Rack Up Some Plates

I have a few passions in my life - my God, my family, my kids at school, my vintage finds.  Repurposing and refinishing furniture is a stress-reliever for me.  It's been good to be back painting this week after a month of craziness at school!

A few weeks ago I found this plate rack in an antique mall.  Sad, I know!

Someone had made a pathetic attempt to spray paint it.  But it was cheap!

I decided I did NOT want to try to paint the slats with a brush, so I opted for spray paint and give it three good coats of ivory.

The rest of it got two coats of ASCP Emperor's Silk.

I was worried that when I distressed it that the old spray paint would show. But to my surprise, it distressed down to the wood!

This will make a perfect home for holiday plates!

Bring 'em on!

Invited to these parties:

Chalkboard Menu to Die For!

This weekend I wrapped up three chalkboard projects that I've been lingering over.  Tonight I'll show you the first one.  


I found this awesome vintage frame at a flea market last summer.  It was missing one of its finials, but that didn't deter me!  We cut off the lone finial and attached two matching ones that I had from a previous project.

It has fabulous carving and detail but you just can't see it.  So, let's paint it!

I gave it two coats of ASCP Old White.  After giving it a coat of clear wax, I brushed on my homemade glaze to help show off the detail.

"Before glaze" is on the right, "after glaze" is on the bottom.  

I had my husband cut a board to fit the frame and then I painted in with black chalkboard paint.  

Then I headed over to my favorite graphics spot, the Graphics Fairy for the perfect graphic.  I printed it out and rubbed chalk on the back of the paper.  Then I traced it and it left a chalk outline of my image.

I filled in the design with white marker.  It turned out awesome, if I do say so myself!

We mounted the board into the frame and it's ready for the shop

Or the kitchen!

I'm gonna party hearty at these fun places: