…to another busy day in the life of Pretty Handy Girl!
I had fully intended on posting a tutorial on distressing furniture for you today. But, I got side tracked today and then let’s just say that my evening ended up with a visit from these guys:
Thank you Raleigh Fire Department for putting out my oven fire!
Let me tell you, it is a scary thing to see your heating element turn into a 4th of July super-sized sparkler! Luckily no one was hurt and our kitchen is still white (not smoky gray.) Needless to say, we will be in the market for a new oven this week. Any recommendations or “steer clears” would be appreciated. And a word of advice, if your heating element shorts out, sparks and catches fire, turn off your circuit breaker.
Not exactly what I planned on dealing with today! I did have plans for one tiny little project. This little project had me on a hunt for the illusive and extremely rare chalk marker. I have been looking everywhere for one of these exotic creatures.
Target – nope
Walmart – nope
Ace Hardware – nope
JoAnn’s Fabrics – nope
Jerry’s Art-a-rama – Ding, ding, ding! Finally found it!
If you’ve been around the blogosphere lately, you have seen chalkboard paint projects everywhere! I probably wouldn’t be surprised to see a chalkboard painted dog next week.
I had some leftover chalkboard wall decal material, so I cut a little label for our jar of colored pencils. But, I really wanted a chalkboard marker so I could write on the label and not worry about it smudging from little hands using it daily.
So, naturally after using my new chalkboard marker and LOVING IT! I decided to paint some more things with chalkboard paint and use my new marker.
I put up my homemade spray tent (I’ll have to show you how I made it later.)
And got busy. My mind played “Back in Black” in my head as I sprayed. (Any other AC/DC listeners out there?) I decided to use automotive black primer (for better adhesion on the plastic spice lids.)
First up where these Goodwill candy jars all four and the rack for $6.99!
U-G-L-Y oak lids, but not for long…
Blackified, labelled and now looking good.
Next victim was a spice rack and jars (I’m embarrassed to say)
that I repainted years ago.
that I repainted years ago.
That’s right, back in the sponge-era.
The gold ink labels are impossible to read.
The gold ink labels are impossible to read.
I carefully lined them up and made a list of the order
they were in to make re-labelling them easy.
Seemed like a great idea, UNTIL my oven caught fire.
Then I swept everything off the counters and away from the stove.
Seemed like a great idea, UNTIL my oven caught fire.
Then I swept everything off the counters and away from the stove.
After testing my sense of smell, I put the lids back on. And now that I can read them,
I shouldn’t mix up red pepper and paprika anymore.
I shouldn’t mix up red pepper and paprika anymore.
The rack received several layers of treatment to give it a distressed look.
Finally, I spray painted a Goodwill picture frame heirloom white and distressed it.
I cut a piece of foamcore to size (since I accidentally broke the glass) and sprayed it with chalkboard paint. Easy framed chalkboard.
I have a question? Why do you have to use a special chalkboard marker? Can't you just use a white paint marker? Just wondering…
I love the spice rack! It turned out really cute! I am loving the chalkboard paint myself.
I love how with the house on fire, you can still share awesome projects! Love love love the spices idea…gotta do that one.
I am so sorry about your fire, I'm glad everyone is ok!! I love that even though you had a fire in the house, you still managed to get a great DIY project completed, documented & published. Rock star!
that spice rack is awesome i have 1 buried way back in a corner some where hmmm maybe i will dig it out!! great job it all looks fantastic
Well crapers!!! Glad everything turned out ok with the fire! Loving the chalkboard stuff. I'm totally on the calkboard bandwagon. It's a healthy obsession 🙂 I'll make a note to send you picks all of my calkboard DIY's. Also, I found that they sell the chalkboard marker at Hobby Lobby too.
So glad all is well after the fire!! Question: never heard of the chalk board marker–can it still come off with soap and water? I have always liked the IDEA of the chalk board paint–but like you–visions of smears and chalk dust were running thru my mind. So maybe this is the answer?!!!
I think it is cool that you repainted something you already painted once. It shows the benefits of being crafty – you didn't have to run out and buy something new when your style changed!!
Brittany~ you asked about the blue bench in my last post (a few good pieces)… I hate to tell you, but I bought it *just like that* at TJ Maxx!! I didn't touch it, isn't it perfect? If I remember correctly, it was $89 🙂 A joke, right?!
I'm so glad your family and kitchen are ok! Thanks for sharing the chalkboard projects. I haven't tried out chalkboard paint yet, but I will in the future. I'm just collecting ideas from the blogosphere left and right!
Love everything, as usual. I had my heating element light up like a firecracker. Scared the crap out of me. I had to finish baking my food at my neighbors. My maintenance guy just replaced the heating element though (I live on a military post), and luckily for us it didn't catch on fire…although I was wondering if it would…guess I know the answer to that now. It sure was blinding to look at! Sorry about your fire!
I recently went on the hunt for the chalk board markers as well and found a few packs at Micheal's. However, it must of been a new product because the associate found them in a weird place with no price label. I was just glad to get my hands on some because they are hard to find! I love them!
I love it! I shop in bulk with grains and spices and our containers are always a smidge ugly. What I love best is that I have the EXACT same ones as you. HAHA!!
So fabulous. There seems to be no end to the fabulous use of chalkboard paint!! I love those cute little jars.
I'm over in Kernersville, near Winston-Salem. I have had coils to spark before, but no fire. I am so gald you are all ok!!
Thank you for sharing your re-do's. I am having a great time going back over your blog for the things I have missed. I am a follower.
Always, Teresa T.
http://RitasRamblingRanch.blogspot.com
Thank goodness for those firemen! I know the feeling — unfortunately! Thanks for the tip with the circuit breaker though — good to know.
Chalkboard painted dog — haha! You crack me up!!
Hope this next week mellows out for your! 🙂 LOVE those canisters by the way! 🙂
Those are great Britt. I love the jars. Won't work for me though, I can't read my own writing.
I had the same thing happen to my element in my oven two years ago. My husband was at work and I was there with a 4 year old and 18 month old. After throwing baking soda on it (that didn't work) I called my husband (no answer) and then my brother who said it would burn itself out and it finally did but I would have rather avoided the fireworks show in my oven. We were able to replace the element and it is still working today. (Although I did get a little excited at first because I really wanted a new oven!!)
I have those same jars…somewhere in storage from back in the day. I have got to find them and fix them up like you did. They turned out great!
I must find a chalk market! If only Jerry's art o rama was around here!
Great projects! I could see BOTH of those being used in my she-cave ~ the snack jars for holding flowers & ribbons, the spice rack for holding glitters & flocking powder…too cute!
♥hugs♥
Glad that your emergency wasn't any worse – love the use of the chalkboard paint and those markers
haven't tried the chalkboard paint yet! it looks like you had alot of fun with it!
awesome! And inspiring! Do you know how many people are going to run out and buy chalk markers now??? 🙂 I love the canisters, especially.
How scary to see sparks in your oven!!
Loving those canisters, great idea! So glad you joined the party.
Londen
WOW, that is such a great idea.