Monday, January 16, 2012

little chocolate bella











We lost our younger lab, Bella, over the weekend.
It turned out she didn't have cancer but rather
one of the cruelest infections I've ever seen.
It just wouldn't respond to any treatment
and she was losing the ability to breathe.
She was only eight years old.
She was the most affectionate, loving pup we've ever had.
Things just aren't the same around here without her.
She and my husband had the deepest bond of all.
He's a little lost without her constantly by his side.
Our son understands but he's been quiet.
Our older lab, Ballou, has been laying on Bella's blanket.
Our newest puppy, Maisy, keeps going outside to look for her.
It's crazy how deeply our hearts can ache over the
loss of a beloved pet.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

My first 2012 project is ginormous

We have this huge blank wall in our main living area.
We've lived in our house for 10 years and that wall
has always been an unfinished project.
We've tried to decorate it but nothing looks right.
A few mid-sized pieces just don't work.

We added an old door but again, it just wasn't right.

I think it either needs a wall of framed prints or one huge statement piece.
What would be cool is a huge old chalkboard 
that looks like this smaller one in the entry.
Where would I find one of those?
How much would something that big cost?

I'm guessing not much...if you make it.
We bought a huge piece of plywood (I think it's 4'by8').
I sanded it down to make it smoother.  Plywood can be kind of rough
so it certainly wasn't a perfect surface but that works in my plan.
I used a black matte spray paint to give it a base coat.
Then I sprayed a coat of the chalkboard spray paint.
I switched to a can of chalkboard paint and used a brush 
to paint thick coats.
Then we added simple moulding.  I stained it with an uneven finish
so that it looks a bit worn with age.


There we have it!
It's one huge chalkboard.  
We attached it with screws, putting one in each corner which
adds to the industrial effect.
We hung the clock on it because I love that clock
and it covers a huge defect in the wood.
I added some of the lyrics from our family song.
Over time, we will find just right the things
to write on our chalkboard that will become 
permanent artwork.
In some of the pictures, you can see cracks and imperfections in the wood.
I love that. I think it makes it look older.
Isn't that cool?  Those cracks make it look like an old schoolhouse chalkboard.

Now, I know that little dresser underneath it is too small
sitting there all alone under that huge thing.
Either something longer will go there or
that dresser will get some company.

What do you think?
Do you like the "vintage" huge "schoolhouse" chalkboard?


Sunday, January 1, 2012

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