five chalkboard paint projects; with just one small can

It's no secret that I love chalkboard paint. 

I've used it for loads of projects, and my can has nearly run out. But when I got it out last week I realised that it really was a tiny can, like the smallest you can get. Yet it's lasted me a LOT of projects. Here's what I was able to do with just one can (click on the image to get the how to):



I've made two of these, and they make great teacher gifts too!



This one took two coats of paint, but I did it right at the beginning of the year, and it still looks as good as new. Plus we still use it as an extra kid table when we have people over for dinner.



This chalkboard frame is still a favourite with the kids.

This wood sucked up a LOT of paint, took more than two coats to get good coverage. (it was cheap wood!) Saw it a few weeks ago at my brother's house and it's holding up well. (they were using it as a game's score board)

I've done lots of these chalk lids for different gifts and supplies. 

That's a lot of chalkboard, and I still have some left. Enough for maybe a few coasters. And some labels...

Not bad for a tiny tin!

child designed plasters

These plasters are a great way to get your kids involved in some of the personalised gifts this year. 

Simple, but would make getting hurt way more fun! ;)

Start with some plain, boring plasters. Ignore the washi tape, I decided I liked this idea better!

Get your budding artist to draw some pictures on them. Izzy did flowers on most, but on the bigger ones she did pictures of her friend, who was the recipient, and her playing together. 

Then I greabbed one of my unused tuppaware tubs (one of a few the same size from Ikea which I don't use that often.) and put a square of vinyl and some letters.

She was thrilled to have her own craft project to do. 

If you like doodling too you could make some as stocking stuffers. This made a great extra gift for Izzy's friend's birthday. 

What would you draw?

fabric place mats

While making risotto the other night I whipped up these place mats.

They're easy enough that even if you've never sewn before you could do these.

Grab a place mat for size and measure around. 

Cut two rectangles half an inch bigger for each place mat.

Then sew right sides together, leaving a few inches gap to turn. Iron then top stitch close to the edge.

I'd been struggling to find ones I liked in my price range, and the off of fabric was a couple of pounds in Ikea. I've got some spare that I'm using for coasters too. 

They work really well for less posh meals too. Peanut butter sandwiches are more than welcome too. 

And if they get dirty? They just pop in the wash, mine have already been in a few times and are holding up great!

Would also make a great gift if you could part with yours :)


I’m sharing this at the Dare to DIY party hosted by Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newly Woodwards, and Two Twenty One!

rosette hair slides tutorial

Rosette flowers aren't anything new in blog-ville, but while making some this morning with leftover tee scraps I found a quicker way of making and attaching the flowers,so I thought I'd share. 

Start with a couple of scraps of tee fabric, two slides and a hot glue gun. 

Tie a knot in one end. Trim the short end if you need to. 

Twist and wind the fabric around the knot, securing with a dab of hot glue ever so often.

Keep going until there's just a small amount left.

Slide on your hair grip.

Position it so that when the spare strip of fabric is folded over the back that the grip is central.

Secure with hot glue and trim the excess fabric.

And you're done. Then make a few.

Or even a lot more, if your kids just so happen to be at school, and you're procrastinating a long list of things you really should be doing.

I just slid mine onto a piece of card and stamped it up. Don't worry that the name's wrong, I was just trying something out!

I'm still undecided as to who to give these to, either as little extras for family, or for teachers. 

In fact, I may have enough for both...


I’m sharing this at the Dare to DIY party hosted by Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newly Woodwards, and Two Twenty One!