Thrift Store Find: Vintage Needlepoint

This week I will like to share a beautiful piece of needlepoint that I found. This piece is in keeping with our Crafty Home series. It is one of those pieces that can be used as is or it can receive an updated look by changing the picture frame. I plan on giving it new life by making it into a decorative pillow.

If you are interested in tying your hand at some needlework, you can find some beautiful kits at Anna Maria Horner. I also did a book review last year of "Doodle Stitching The Motif Collection," which is a great little resource if you will like an introduction to embroidery. You can also download our FREE embroidery pattern.

Do you think a piece like this is better left as is or is making a decorative pillow a good idea?

DIY Magnetic Chalkboard

The project today is a magnetic chalkboard made from a metal tray. I used the "Krylon" Chalkboard Paint and applied two coats in a sweeping motion. I let the tray dry to the touch in between coats and waited for 24 hours as instructed before using. Now I have a board that I can write on and post using magnets.

I really needed something close to my desk as a quick and easy reference during the day as I work through my task. However, I did not want a bulletin board or large chalkboard, so I decided to make something that was simple and would fit the space available next to my desk.

Materials
Metal Tray
Chalkboard Paint
Nail
Hammer
Screw
Screw Driver
Chalk or Chalk Ink

Instructions
1. Clean the surface of the metal tray to remove any residue.

2. Spray or paint metal tray with the chalkboard paint, following the paint instructions.

3. Make a hole at the centre top of the tray, using a nail and hammer.

4. Fasten finished tray to your wall or other location with a screw.

Tip!
If you are using a spray can, it really does work best using a side-to-side motion when spraying. Let the paint dry between coats and I strongly recommend doing it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

I used Chalk Ink (Wet Wipe Markers) to embellish, and with the help of a ruler I made lines for my "To-Do" list. You can also use regular chalk if you like or use as a magnetic board to post notes. I also think it looks really cute and is a much needed addition to my workspace.

What do you think of the idea?


UPDATE!
Visit the other projects that are part of our Crafty Home series.

Crafty Home Series

Last Wednesday I was happy to be back on Crafted Spaces Radio. The episode highlighted some of the things that are happening at Crafted Spaces, but it was also an introduction to our "Crafty Home" series.

Our recent Home Organization Challenge was so wonderful, and I was happy that so many of you joined us here on the blog, on Facebook and on Pinterest. With over ten thousand page views and thousands of Pinterest repins the response was extremely encouraging and really motivated me each week. Having a clean and organized home now means that there are lots of opportunities for adding creative touches. Adding a bit of personality, handmade accents, and a punch of colour is therefore the focus of this new series.

I am excited to start our "Crafty Home" series, because it means that I can transform each of the rooms in my home with handmade decorative elements that is reflective of my family and I.  Each week I will post my projects along with tutorials. I also have several Pinterest boards with tons of links to amazing DIY projects and sewing tutorials, which I hope will inspire you to create along with me.

If you are not the "make it" type, but you will like to find ways of adding handmade and crafty touches to your home or workspace, then do not leave just yet. During the series I will chat and share with you information about artisans, designers, stores and websites that you may want to check out for some crafty goodies. There are wonderful places to find "Crafty Home" accents and it is a great way to support crafters and makers.

The projects I will be featuring are great for your home, workplace or home away from home. If you also have a cottage, boat, mobile home or other place you occasionally call home; then join me in this creative transformation.

Inspiration
There are so many ideas and sources of inspiration, that sometimes it is difficult to narrow things down. I will like to share some of my Crafted Spaces Pinterest boards, which are bursting with ideas and projects that you may want to try. Creating an ideas board, can help with deciding what you will like to make and in some cases provide the resources on how to make it. It is also a great place to start when you are defining and refining your style.

DIY Projects
Crafty Ideas
Home Projects
Home Style
Sewing (includes many home decor sewing projects)

If you already have a "Crafty Home" and you will like to share with us some of the things you have done, please comment below or message me with your link(s).

---

These links will be have been updated throughout the series.

Projects
Stained Wicker Baskets
Crafty Home Accents
Furniture Painting Tutorial
How to Make a Shower Curtain
Silk Screened Cushion Cover
How to Make a Pillow Insert
Vintage Needlepoint
DIY Magnetic Chalkboard


Crafted Spaces Radio
Repurposing Materials
Crafty Home Project Ideas
The Art of Thrifting
Finding Your Style
Crafty Home Inspiration

---

This series will run until June 30, 2013. This is not a sponsored series, and I have purchased or made the products or items featured. The opinions expressed are my own and the links shared are unsolicited and is not in association with any third party.