Best Posts from Serenity Now in 2014

Hello, hello! As 2014 draws to a close (can you believe it?!), I wanted to share some of the best posts from Serenity Now over the past year. Some of these were big hits with traffic, and some were just my own personal faves. Please feel free to Pin, share, Tweet, comment, etc. I love it when readers spread the word!

Tips and Tricks for a Newborn and Family Photo Session

LaLaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party on a Budget

Dairy Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

Nursery Wall Art from a Gift Bag

DIY Chalkboard Instagram Photo Display

This post brought to you by Martha Stewart Crafts® and Plaid.// I'm easing back into creative blogging after taking an extended maternity leave, and I am so excited to show off today's post, a DIY Chalkboard Instagram Photo Display, made with Chalkboard Paint and other items from the new line at Martha Stewart Crafts®. What do you get when you mix a thrifted cabinet door, some instagram prints, and some super-fun chalkboard paint?

I don't know about you, but I seem to take more photos with my phone than my Nikon lately. I don't want all those special moments living forever on my phone screen, so I decided to come up with a way to display our family memories where we can all enjoy them.

Don't have an Instagram account? Don't worry, I'll give you some more ideas for this display at the end of the post!

I decided to do my best to use thrifted items and things I had on hand for this project, so I hit up my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore to browse their cabinet door selection. They had plenty to choose from. I wanted a sizeable display, so I selected a large oak cabinet door for around $10, because I wasn't sure how the laminate would work with the chalkboard paint layered over spray paint.

Here are the supplies you will need:

1. Martha Stewart Crafts ® Laser-Cut Stencils
2. Martha Stewart Crafts® MultiSurface Chalkboard Paint
3. Martha Stewart Crafts ® 2oz Erasable Liquid Chalk
4. Craft paint brush (or see #6)
5. Assortment of coordinating fabrics (optional)
6. Martha Stewart Crafts ® pouncers--these are better if you're using small stencils
7. Baker's twine, string, ribbon, or plain twine
8. Pencil
9. Printed instagram photos (this is how I print mine)
10. Staple gun
11. Scissors
Not Pictured: Sand paper or palm sander, spray paint in your color choice, mini clothes pins, hot glue gun or needle and thread for fabric rosettes (optional)

How to Make Your Own Chalkboard Instagram Display:

1. Prep
Sand, Clean, Paint

I started with my plain old cabinet door. You know, the one with lovely white paint drips down the front. After removing the hardware, I took it outside and sanded it down in about five minutes with a palm sander. I also made sure to clean it off well before spraying. It took me several coats of spray paint to cover up the oak. I figured that some of the grain would continue to show through, but wasn't too concerned because the photos would cover most of it.

2. Stencil
Secure, Paint, Dry, Cure Time

After choosing which of the stencils I wanted to use and deciding on a layout, I secured my stencil using stencil tape from my craft stash (Martha Stewart Crafts® brand). I added my chalkboard paint to a paper plate palette, and used plain craft sponge brushes to brush the paint on.

I did one light coat, let it dry for one hour, and then added a slightly thicker coat. After that dried, I moved the stencil to paint the next portion of the cabinet door. When the pennant shapes were dry, I grabbed another stencil sheet and added polka dots in black and pink chalkboard paint for some extra pattern.

It's important to let the chalkboard paint cure for 24 hours before writing or stenciling on it with chalk. 

I loved the effect! Pennant banners are so much fun--Martha's team is great at choosing fun and trendy patterns and shapes for their stencils.

3. Creating a System for Hanging Photos
Decide on amount of photos, secure twine, clip on mini clothespins, add photos

I took a stack of my photos and moved them back and forth across the board until I found a grid that worked for me. I used a pencil, post-it notes, and a level to mark off the lines where I wanted my twine to go. I was lucky enough to find this pretty turquoise and white baker's twine in my craft stash, but you can find it in most craft stores or even the Dollar Spot.

My grid ended up with space for twenty photos, which is a great amount!

I used a staple gun to attach the twine to the back of the cabinet door, pulling the twine taut (without snapping it). I also left a bit of twine on each end to make a knot, so no twine would slip under the staples. This is where having a nice, thick oak door came in handy. No staples going through the wood!

4. Fabric Rosettes (Optional)
Use scissors, a hot glue gun, or a needle and thread to craft some rosettes as an embellishment for your display. Hot glue onto the frame of your display board as embellishment

There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to any of the rosettes I made. I just twisted, braided, and pressed the fabric until I found a shape I liked. I ended up using hot glue for these guys, with the exception of the one with the button embellishments...I folded that one back and forth and sewed through the center to keep it in place!

I used my trusty got glue gun to adhere the rosettes onto the frame in a pattern that I thought looked cute.

5. Use your chalkboard!
Stencil or hand-write something onto your pennant banner with your Martha Stewart Crafts® Liquid Chalk. I thought about using another shape to stencil inside the banner, but decided on lettering. 

You'll need to "season" your chalkboard with a piece of a chalk before you can write on it. I rubbed a piece of chalk over it and then erased.

Other words: Inspire, Fall, Autumn, Summer, Spring, Winter, Grace, Smile, Inspire, Create
Other ideas for the board: recipes, 4 x 6 photos, favorite quotes or verses on small cards, postcards, baseball cards, business cards

Voila!

What I love about the new line of chalkboard paint is how easy it is to work with! The finish goes on smoothly, and the dry/cure time is true to the advertisement. My only wish would be that it might come in the "Martha blue," which is my fave! The liquid chalk goes on smoothly, doesn't smudge...and it erases with water!

Are you loving this medium too? You can find the Martha Stewart Crafts® Chalkboard Paint line at Michaels craft stores. They also have a new line of Martha Stewart Crafts® Vintage Decor Paint!

If you're interested in learning more about Martha's chalkboard paint, you can watch this brief intro video from the folks at Plaid:

 What would you write on your chalkboard display?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

Want to connect with the Martha Stewart Crafts or Plaid team?

● Plaid Website: http://www.plaidonline.com/  
● The Plaid Palette Blog: http://www.plaidonline.com/blog - The Plaid Palette is a source of inspiration with news about new product introductions, project ideas, tutorials from Plaid’s craft experts and giveaways.
● Newsletter: https://www.plaidonline.com/craftnewslettersignup.aspx - Sign up for Plaid’s email newsletter for special coupons, project ideas and more!
● YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/plaidcrafts - Plaid’s YouTube channel features videos with product demonstration, special seasonal projects and ideas from top Craft Experts.
● Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/plaidcrafts 
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredByPlaid 
● Instagram: http://instagram.com/plaidcrafts - A look into daily life at Plaid and project inspiration.
● Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/plaidcrafts 
● Google+: http://plus.google.com/+PlaidOnline

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

Nursery Wall Art from a Gift Bag {Free DIY Nursery Art Project}

I'm so happy to be here today with a craft tutorial of my own to share. It's been so long since I've had a chance to post a creative project! I made this Free Nursery Wall Art using items I had at home, namely a gift bag. I hate throwing out pretty gift bags because it seems like such a waste, so I found a way to repurpose one from my baby shower.

This tutorial would be perfect for a low-cost (or, in my case, no-cost!) baby shower gift or addition to your own baby's nursery. I wanted to make something special for my newest nephew, and when I received a super-cute giraffe gift bag at my own baby shower, I knew it would be a perfect fit for Liam's jungle safari nursery. 

Supplies:

-Empty Frame

-Spray Paint (optional)

-Gift Bag

-Pencil

-Scissors

How to:

1. Spray paint frame in a color of your choice.

I chose Krylon's Classic Gray because I wanted something relatively neutral, as I wasn't sure what color ny sister-in-law would be painting Liam's walls. I always like to use Krylon's Dual spray paint because it has paint and primer in one can and has great coverage.

2. Cut the front of your gift bag out and use the mat to trace around the area you want framed in. 

If you're not using a mat, just measure out your cut. I could have had the "print" matted professionally at our local Hobby Lobby, but I wanted to work with supplies I had at home, and the frame and mat were in my stash. So one of the cutesie giraffes had to go in order to fit in the frame.

3. Frame your gift bag, and you're good to go!

Because I didn't have to spend a dime on this project, I included it in a gift basket along with some of my favorite baby items. The mom-to-be was pleased to have a piece of custom art for her baby's room! And I got to share something handmade with baby Liam.

Think of the bunches of cute gift bags you probably received (or will receive) at your baby shower. So many possibilities for fun, free art. You can find frames at the Dollar Tree, Target's Dollar Spot, Wal-Mart, thrift stores, and yard sales...so easy to make custom pieces!

Have you repurposed anything in your home lately?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

How to Build a Framed Chalkboard {DIY Tutorial}

I've been wishing I was handier. I love clicking around the blogosphere and seeing beautiful handmade pieces. My friend Erin from DIY on the Cheap is one of those talented bloggers. She's here today to show us How to Build a Framed Chalkboard. Keep reading for her tutorial!

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Hello, Serenity Now readers! I'm so happy to be guest posting for Amanda today. I'd like to share a tutorial with you for how to build a framed chalkboard, which is a relatively easy beginner woodworking project. If you are looking to explore working with power tools, this would be a great project for you! However, power tools are not required. You could always use a regular saw and miter box instead.

Here's what you'll need:

• Wood for the chalkboard in any size you choose. I used a leftover scrap of hardwood plywood. (My chalkboard size is 19"x42" because that's what I had on hand.)
• Door Frame Moulding
• Spray primer
• Chalkboard spray paint
• Sander
• Miter Saw (or regular saw with a miter box)
• Brad Nailer (or good old fashioned hammer and nails)
• 18 GA 5/8" brad nails (if you're using a brad nailer)
• Staining cloths
• Stain in your choice of color (I used American Walnut)
• Sealer (I used Polycrylic)
• Paint brush

Step 1 Cut your board down to the desired dimensions. The home improvement store will do this for you if you give them your measurements, or you can do it yourself. I used a scrap of leftover plywood and just left it "as is." Sand it smooth.

Step 2 Spray the wood with a coat of primer, and then spray with 2-3 coats of Chalkboard Spraypaint.

Step 3 Measure and cut your moulding for the frame using a miter saw (or saw and miter box). Use 45 degree miter cuts to form the corners.

Step 4 Stain your frame. I used a pre-conditioner and then applied one coat of American Walnut stain, and added a topcoat of Polycrylic.

Step 5 Attach your frame to the chalkboard using wood glue and a brad nailer. (Or hammer and nails.)

Step 6 Lean or hang your chalkboard. I opted to lean mine against the wall, but you can also add D-rings and hang it. Another option is to add thin moulding around the edges to hide the raw edge of your wood. I chose not to do this since it isn't noticeable where I placed it in my home.

I love that I'm able to change out the message on my chalkboard depending on the season or occasion. You could of course customize this by making it any size you choose, and using any finish you'd like on the frame (paint, colored stain, etc.). I get bored easily, so I like that I can instantly change the "art" in the room by erasing the chalkboard and drawing or writing something new.


Thanks so much, Amanda, for letting me share this project with your Serenity Now readers!

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Thanks, Erin! You've inspired me to try something handy. I have a love affair with great quotes and Bible verses, so this is right up my alley!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.

DIY Chandelier Makeover for Baby Girl Nursery

I've got all things nursery on the brain lately, so the very clever Kelly from View Along the Way agreed to stop by Serenity Now to share a DIY project with us today. Keep reading to see how she gave an inexpensive chandelier a fab makeover for her baby girl's nursery!
                                       

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Hi, friends! I'm so happy to be here today while Amanda is off cuddling that beautiful baby boy. I wish she could bottle up his delicious newborn scent and have it gently wafting from the computer while we read this post. Wouldn't that be amazing? But then we'd probably all want to go have babies, and that can get dangerous.

These are my no-longer-newborns. (And the husband!) I’m Kelly, and I blog about how we’re fixing up our crusty ol’ foreclosure on the teensiest budget over at View Along the Way.

This is my baby girl's room, which we made over for about $500 - including all the furniture.

Are you wondering why I took that artsy, weird photo from a low angle that doesn't show the ceiling? Okay, you caught me. It's because we had this situation going on.

That is some completely offensive ceiling fan action. Now, I live in the south, y'all. I "get" the need for ceiling fans. But this one was an obnoxiously dark eyesore and we never used it anyway. Time for an upgrade!

I took this little chandelier which I picked up at the Ballard's Outlet for $20-something...

And turned it into this:

...for only $2 plus the cost of a can of spray paint.

First, I strung that bad boy up to a tree outside to take a "before" pic and spray paint it... at which point I became the victim of a serial photobomber.

My husband is 30, guys. Thirty years old. Is thirty-one the magic age when husbands finally grow up? When the photobombing insanity ended, I pulled out a can of spray paint and got this:

I liked how it looked with the new color, but I wanted it to be a little more blingy for my high-stylin' baby girl.

Don't you wish you could rock the topless-with-tutu-look like she does? I don't know: maybe you can. Maybe you can.
One Saturday when we were yard saling, I found these bead things:

 

I think it's supposed to be a beaded curtain of some kind? Not sure. But I thought I could rework some of the turquoise beads for the chandelier, and it was only $2 for the whole bag. I took the existing chain off the chandelier:

And tied the beads on to the existing hooks.

Then I decided I wanted some beads on the bottom too. So I unscrewed the ball thing on the bottom. I cut four strands of beads, removing one from the center, and laid the center opening over the part of the chandelier where the ball screwed in, and reattached the ball back over the string.

I just hot-glued the other end of the beads to the chandelier. And I was all done!

...Except for installation. I hired my photobomber to remove the old fan and install the new chandelier.

And ta-da!

I totally dig the way the light shines through those iridescent beads.

Baby girl is a fan too. She gives it two chubby sweet baby thumbs up!

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Thanks, Kelly. I'm a fan too! Such a bright, colorful room...just lovely!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.