I’ve been spending a lot of time on the blog. Seriously people, I had no idea how much time blogging was going to take up. I often wonder if it takes me an unreasonable amount of time to put posts together. Last weekend we went to Charleston for a long weekend with some friends…don’t worry there will be a post on that 🙂 Because I knew I would be unable to work on the blog, I spent the majority of my previous Saturday putting together posts. On that Saturday, while I sat on the couch, P went grocery shopping, did errands, and cooked dinner without complaining or being put out. He is truly the best and most supportive husband of all time. He always tells me how proud he is of me working so diligently on the blog, instead of seeing it as something that takes time away from us. I am not kidding when I say I hit the husband jackpot!!
As a way to give back a little, I decided to turn this week’s Creative Collective prompt into a get projects done around the house prompt. That way it’s blogging and an “us” project all in one…multi-tasking at it’s best!
Project #1: Blackboard for the Beer Fridge
P is an award winning homebrewer (see project #2) and we brew beer on a regular basis. We have a dedicated fridge to hold the kegs, and I wanted a blackboard that shows what we have on draft in there. This is actually my second attempt at this project- the first one was not as pretty.
- Cheap frame from IKEA
- Chalkboard Spray Paint
- Magnets (these are strong)
- Super glue
- Chalk pens and regular chalk
Spray paint the frame “glass” (the IKEA insert is plastic and I’m not entirely sure if this would work on glass or not). Follow the directions on the can about how to apply the paint. After the paint has set (I would wait at least 24 hours), rub board down with the regular chalk, and wipe clean. This is a very important step to be able to erase the board like a traditional chalkboard. On the backing of the frame, place dot of glue in one corner and place magnet, holding for a couple of seconds. Repeat this step for the other three remaining corners and place two more magnets in the middle.
Project #2: Beer Award Ribbon Magnets
These are all the ribbons P has won from homebrew competitions. We actually have not entered one in a while but hopefully we will add to this collection. I wanted some way to display these and get them off the desk and this seemed to make a lot of sense.
- Magnets (same as above)
- Super glue
Place drop of glue on the back and place magnet on top of glue, hold for a second until set. Done.
Project #3: Memory Jar
This project was actually on my 101 in 1001 list. P and I live a really great life; I think it is important to keep the big and small memories. I loved this idea as soon as I saw it. While this is not the most ideal jar, I wanted to start the tradition and was tired of putting it off. It could be prettier but it is serving its purpose.
- Mason jar
- Chalk pens
- Chalkboard label (I also used these for items in our pantry)
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
Check back at The Nectar Collective Wednesday to see what all the other uber creativity bloggers did with the prompt “Anything Goes Art”.
I like the memories jar! My husband and I do something kinda similar. We purchased a handmade notebook on our honeymoon and ever since every time we go on vacation or a trip we take it with us and journal about it. That would probably be really good for ya’ll too since you travel so much.
That is a great idea! I actually have a leather journal for P that I write all his birthday wishes from me to him in…that way we don’t have to keep cards.
I applaud your decision to JUST DO IT with the mason jar – you can always make something prettier later if you want to, but at least you are not losing any more memories 🙂 I forgot today so I’m going to have to make something tomorrow!
I have all the prompts for the Creative Collective in my calendar so I don’t forget 🙂 I know it doesn’t really matter what the jar looks like…sometimes I have to just get over “perfect” and just do! Thanks for stopping in!
I love anything that has to do with chalkboard paint!
also, I’m new here and getting a sense that it’s no big surprise that you have a beer fridge- but I LOVE IT! My husband is really interested in home brewing… I may need to head over here for references if he ever gets that start up kit! (maybe for his birthday) 😉
Welcome Shayla, and thanks for stopping by! No surprise but honestly I have not talked too much about the husband’s home brewing hobby. I do have plans to do at least one post talking a little more about it. You are welcome to email me any questions you have 🙂 I highly recommend “Brew Like a Monk” if he is interested in Belgium style beers…most of our base recipes come from that. If you have a homebrew store in your area they should be super helpful with any questions as well (any I have been in love to talk and give advice) and some even hold classes.
oh, that’s great! I’ll probably email you some questions when it gets closer to time and I start to seriously look for what I need. We’re both big on IPA’s, but honestly, he likes it all. I don’t know what he’d prefer brewing. I can imagine he’d brew anything just to say he did it! Excited to read more! I’ll keep my eyes open for another post about the home brewing!
I love the chalkboard so you know what’s on tap, and also the sound of the “Bourbonator”! my husband and I dream of having our own beer fridge one day [with cider for me since I’m gluten free] and will be stealing your cute sign idea 🙂
Thanks Jamie! The Bourbonator is a Bourbon-aged Doppelbock…we are having it’s “release” party in a couple of weeks 🙂 Some friends of our’s went on a trip to KY and brought back some Maker’s Mark bourbon barrel staves so they provided those and we made the beer 🙂 We sometimes make hard cider at home too…it’s super easy.
I have BIG plans to get crafty one of these days and make myself a chalkboard frame thing for my kitchen… some day!
Good luck Kate…it was quite easy, otherwise I would not have completed it 🙂
Your projects are great!! I love chalkboards! When I bought my first chalkboard paint bucket, I painted everything in sight 🙂 The chalk pens are good, but do you have a hard time erasing them? I do. Let me know if you have any tips for cleaning it off!
I love the chalk pens- I have not a problem at all, I just use a damp paper towel and wipe it off. I use the pens for everything, it even comes off the chalk labels.
We have a chalkboard wall in our kitchen and it’s one of the best little touches we’ve added. And there can’t be a better way to display your current beer offerings. You guys have a legit little brewery going on. I love the memory jar idea! I’m totally stealing it 🙂
Steal away-I found it at some point on Pinterest! I like the idea of being able to look back on some of our smaller memories at the end of the year, not just the bigger ones like trips 🙂
We def. have the same brain. The only things that ever stick out in my mind are all travel related. This is a good idea to appreciate the smaller stuff 🙂
If it weren’t for renting, there would be a giant chalkboard wall in my house so kudos to you for getting a chalkboard for your beer fridge. 🙂
We rent too and I would most likely lots of “wall” projects if it was not for that.
i’m trying to convince my husband to convert part of our kitchen wall or cabinet into a chalkboard. maybe if i pretended to use it for the beer fridge, he’d be more open to it. thanks for the idea 😉
Love that idea! I saw this project http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-create-a-patterned-chal-138804 and loved the idea of doing the whole fridge but alas it seems like a lot of work and I could not talk P into getting on board with it. This was much easier 🙂
How exciting to have a beer fridge, that is on our wish list for one day!
Homebrewing takes up a lot of space, fridge for kegs, freezer for temp control and pretty much a whole other room full of equipment but we have fun with it. When it is warmer we invite friends over and P works and the rest of us drink and eat 🙂 That way we empty the kegs and have room for new 🙂