DIY Reusable Chalkboard Banner

Hello awesome people!

 

As you can see in this post,  I was honored to host a woodland-themed baby shower at my home for my super-cool cousin, K.

 

I used some items that were in my craft closet and made this customizable banner.

 

 

This is quite quick & easy, and the best part: it's reusable.

 

Tutorial Starts Here

The items you'll need:

--8 inch cake circles

--chalkboard paint

--paint brush (sponge type works best)

--twine

--scotch tape

--chalk

 

Step 1: Paint one side of each cake circle with blackboard paint. Make sure to get the edges.

Don't be afraid to put a thick coat; blackboard paint works better in thick layers.

 

 

Step 2: Let paint dry. If needed, put on a second coat to cover thin spots or smooth ridges.

 

Step 3: Pull out about 18 inches of twine, to allow for plenty of room when hanging your banner. Don't start too close to the end of the twine.

By Emilian Robert Vicol (Flickr: Ball-of-Hemp-Twine_31614-480x360) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

  Step 4: Position twine on the back side of one cake circle about 2 inches from the top. Secure with 2-3 pieces of scotch tape.

 

Step 5: Repeat with each cake circle, spacing equally as you go.

 

Step 6: Allow another 18 inches of twine at the end, and cut twine from spool.

 

Step 7: Decorate each cake circle with chalk-- your child's sidewalk chalk will make some pretty letters and pictures.

If you goof up, just erase gently with a damp paper towel and wait until completely dry before trying again.

 

 

 

Hang and smile!

 

Share your chalkboard crafts with me in comments.

Shared with The 36th Avenue.

 



5 Minute DIY Throw Pillow Covers (using Maternity Tops)

Guilty of saving baby clothes? Check. Guilty of saving maternity clothes? Double check.

 

Saving maternity clothes is, for me, almost just as precious as saving P's clothes.

 

No, they're not small and cute. And they don't have that great smell.

 

But they were some of the first items that were purchased because of my LO's existence. They represent the very first moments I cared for that wonderful little boy.

 

I have a lot of happy memories attached to my maternity clothes, and I bet you do too! Think about your very first maternity top, or the comfy shirt you wore all the time, or what you wore for your baby showers.

 

In a constant effort to upcycle, recycle, reuse, and refurbish-- I created a fresh look for my throw pillows using my beloved maternity tops.

 

Tutorial Starts Here

 

After washing, turn your shirt inside out, and beginning just below the arm hole, sew from one edge to the other, straight across the shirt.

 

 

 

Trim the excess material. Turn the shirt right side out, then place your throw pillow inside.

 

 

 

Measure about 1/2" below the edge of your pillow, and, using a marking pen, mark a seam line straight across your shirt. .

*I eyeballed mine, but to make sure your seam is straight, you may want to mark the seam.

 

Sew this seam with pillow inside on the right side of the shirt/cover.

 

 

Alternatively, you can sew in a zipper, button loops, Velcro, etc. for your closure. I even used fabric glue with a sweater.

 



  Finally, trim you outside seams. You'll want to be very careful, as this will be on the outside of your pillow. 

Just a quick way to give your pillows a new look!