Picture Frame Chalkboard

I love my accountability/prayer partner, Jenny.  She is that amazing friend you always wanted--great listener, super creative, strong in the Lord, and down to earth.  With Christmas coming, I knew I wanted to do something fun and crafty for her present.  I decided to make the darling picture frame chalkboards that were featured in a tutorial over at The Rigdons.  I loved the burnt ribbon look and the simplicity of the frame. 

Plus, it was a simple craft that would be used after it was finished.  Jenny and I often ask to be held accountable to memorize scripture, and I thought of this craft being a great way to have our memorization verses hanging around the house.  Here is a picture of The Rigdon's final example product--darling!

                                       

So, I said I would share my flops with you.  I flopped a little with this.  I used a new, unfamiliar greasy glue instead of my tried and true Tacky Glue or hot glue gun.  It ruined my flowers, which originally looked like this (notice the greasy blobs)--ugh!:

Needless to say, I had to spend a little bit of time redoing my flowers.  Also, my Michael's was out of spray chalk paint, so I ran to Lowe's, where they only carry brush-on chalkboard paint.  It took about 5 coats, and I am still skeptical of how well it will stay.  Because some of the brush strokes were bound to show, it ended up looking very rustic and handmade--think of a slate during Little House on the Prairie and you've got the idea.  I kind of like the rustic look since I chose a rustic looking frame.  You can see how smooooth the spray chalk paint looks on the Rigdon's example--the way to go if you aren't going for a rustic look.

Jenny is coming for accountability today.  I hope she likes it!  I had fun making it--even with the bumps along the way.  I plan to make one soon for our own kitchen.  I can write down my son's AWANA verses or my accountability verses I am memorizing. 

Oh, and have you heard of chalk ink markers?  They are chalk, but they write like a marker.  It is perfect for this project or any home chalkboard!  I found mine at Michael's but I heard they are also on Amazon.  I'm giving Jenny a pack to take home with her chalkboard.

Here is a picture of the chalkboard I made Jenny.  I love this verse, and it rings so true of her!  See how great the chalk markers stand out on the chalkboard . . .

Here is a pic of the burnt ribbon flowers AFTER I redid them and used Tacky Glue.  I went for a much more rustic look than the Rigdon's example.