Jenny Garland

Chalkboard Plates at Craft Club

Last week our craft club, McKinney Marthas, met up for some fun to paint plates with chalkboard paint. I hung mine in the kitchen and plan to write what's for supper each day. If you haven't seen a tutorial online yet, these plates are so easy to make! And pretty cute if I do say so myself.

You will need:
- a plate (duh!)
- chalkboard paint
- a sponge brush
- sandpaper (preferably medium grit)
- a piece of chalk

How to:
1. Sand the center of your plate to "rough it up."

2. Brush off dust.

3. Paint two thin coats (letting each dry thoroughly) in the center of your plate. We were in a time crunch and used a hairdryer to between coats. 

4. Wait three full days. Then rub a piece of chalk over the entire painted surface.

5. Wipe clean with a wet paper towel.

6. Start using your cute new plate! You can hang it like mine or set it on an easel. You could also use chalkboard paint for the top of a play table for your kiddos.

Here are some pics from our fun night :)

Craft Club's First Meeting ... Glass Etching!

Last night was the first meeting for our craft club, McKinney Marthas. We etched ourselves some pretty cute things, if I do say so myself. Take a look at a few of the pieces:

The Pottery Barn catalog shows an etched pitcher just like her's!

Sherry's "C"

Thanks again, Sarah for the tutorial and craft club tips! Now we need to figure out what to do at the next meeting. I'd love suggestions! Leave a comment if you've got one :)

McKinney Marthas

I'm starting up a craft club that will meet one evening a month at my house. We'll choose a project and complete it together. The first project will be this CUTE glass etched trifle bowl:

You don't have to bring a trifle bowl. You could etch bar glasses, a mirror, a vase, jars, basically anything glass with a smooth surface.

Here's how it will work. You bring the glass piece(s) you want to etch as well as a printout of the design you want etched. I'll provide all other supplies for a $5 per person supply fee.

If you aren't sure where to look for free online designs, let me know and I'll direct you to the right spot!

Email me or leave a comment if you want to come. Spirits welcome! Feel free to invite friends.

The first McKinney Marthas meeting will be Thursday, April 30 at 8:00pm. The whole thing will take less than an hour but you are welcome to stay and hang out a bit :)

* photos courtesy of createstudio.blogspot.com, marthastewart.com, and curbly.com