Chalkboard Toy Box

My dogs needed a toy box...I needed to test out my technique with chalkboard paint...and an idea was born. I have been saving all of Liv's diaper boxes. I used them initially when we moved, but those are gone. I knew these things would come in handy for something.

I cut off the top flaps, laid out some newspaper, and used my chalkboard spray paint (outside of course). They key to chalkboard paint is to not spray too much at a time. Do very thin layers and let it dry a little before spraying again. Too much makes it puddle and dry funny.

After allowing the paint to completely dry (the instructions suggest 24 hours), I used some duct tape I had bought and never used to decorate the box. Viola! Project complete. This was very easy to do. BUT if you are not crafty and still want one for yourself (organizing, dog toys, magazines, kids toys, newspapers, books)...I would be happy to make one for you. I have different sized boxes and the decorating possibilities are endless. Then you can write with chalk what you are using the box for, and changing its purpose is easy! You can even use it instead of a gift basket and put the recipient's name on it and a message.

If you would like one, just let me know and I am happy to do it for $6 plus shipping. I am going to pre-make a few and put them up on Etsy as well. :)

 Made this one for my geek :) using wrapping paper and Mod Podge

Available for Sale: Love My Rose

Light Switch Cover

My favorite craft supply is Mod Podge. I think I can do just about anything with it. I recently painted my daughter's room...and when I removed the light switch cover, I noticed it was cracked (not by us..who ever lived here before us did it). Anyway...I could not allow such a beautiful paint job to be tainted by an ugly switch cover...and with only one income I don't really want to spend $5-$10 on a designer one. So I broke out my scrapbooking paper, mod podge, and a few embellishments.

Items you will need:

• Cutting mat
• Xacto knife or paper slicer
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Mod podge
• sponge applicator brush
• paper (any kind will do, I used scrapbook paper, but you can use tissue paper, wrapping paper, or even a photo)
• embellishments (I used a chip board saying and small jewels)
• Brayer

Remove the switch cover from the wall. Using a pencil, outline the cover onto the back of your paper, including the cut out for the switch and screws. Use the Xacto knife and ruler to carefully cut your paper. Dip yor sponge applicator in the mod podge and apply a layer to the front of the switch cover and the back of the paper. Place your paper on the switch cover and align. Press the paper down then use a brayer to roll out all the bubbles. If you don't have a brayer, you can use a popsicle stick. Apply 2 more coats of mod podge onto the paper and stick on any embellishments. Allow to dry completely then spray with a light coat of polyurethane. The mod podge sometimes stays tacky, and the spray will keep that from happening.