Party DIY {Geometric Calendar}

I've been dying for a good calendar for months now. I have my standard agenda that I use everyday for meetings and appointments, but I've been looking for a piece to display around the house that is both beautiful and functional. After many unsuccessful searches, I decided to create this beauty. I love the mix of pattern, color and functionality. It's a calendar that can be displayed around the house with pride. While I have been using it as a calendar, it has another purpose as well. I created one of each number in each color and the green board is actually painted with chalk board paint. You know what that means? This calendar can actually be made into a countdown calendar. Change the chalkboard portion to read "days till vacation" or "days till Christmas". You can countdown from 99 days adding a little pizzaz to remembering important events. Give it as a gift to a newly engaged couple painted in their wedding colors with a box of chalk. It will allow them to countdown the days till they walk down the aisle, go on their honeymoon, experience their first holidays together, etc. My favorite part about this creation is it's ability to be customized to each creators needs. I could continue with how awesome I think it is, but instead, I'll just give you the step by step and let you get to making your own.

:: Supplies ::
(3) Acrylic Paint in Complementary but Contrasting Colors
(1) Martha Stewart Colored Chalkboard Paint
(21) 4 x 2 Thin Wood Boards (I purchased mine at Michaels)
(1) 8 x 10 Thick Wood Board
Number Stencils
Sponge Brush
(3) "C" Hooks
Drill
Honeycomb Stencil

:: Directions ::
1. Lay honeycomb stencil over large piece of wood. Paint and set aside to dry.
2. Using your chalk board paint, paint 1 piece of wood. Set aside to dry for 1 hour.
3. With the remaining two colors, paint 10 4 x 2 pieces of wood in one color and 10 in the remaining color. Let dry.
4. After 1 hour passes, paint a second coat on chalk board piece of wood. Let stand for 24 hours.
5. Using your number stencils, paint each number (0-9) on the pieces of wood with the opposite color.
6. Drill a hole in each 4 x 2 board slightly bigger than the diameter of your "c" hook. Place number boards on larger board where desired. Mark spot where you drilled the whole. Screw in "c" hooks.
7. Once chalk board paint has cured for 24 hours, condition with chalk. Write name of month or what you are looking forward too, add number and start counting!

Have a crafty Tuesday!

Lusting After {Chalk Art}

Recently I've been seeing these beautifully designed chalk boards everywhere, most of them done by this amazing lady named Dana Tanamachi. Her flawless graphics with the usually messy medium have left me lusting after her amazing works and wishing I could do the same. Because trust me, if I could, I'm pretty sure my whole house would be covered in chalk board graphics. Think about it how amazing it would be if at the next get together you through has a beautifully designed chalk board welcoming guests or featuring the menu or drink specials. And because it is erasable, the possibilities are endless. With the right skill, it could be used for wedding announcements, invitations, birth announcements, or to mark any special occasion with a photo and a chalk description. I'm loving the idea. Now if I only had the talent of Dana! Maybe I'll learn...

Take a Seat

Hi there! Happy Tuesday! Fresh off my trip to the beach last week, I'm still dreaming of the sand between my toes and all things tropical. With summer quickly approaching, it's the perfect time to start talking about (and planning) beach side weddings. As always, every aspect of your big day should fit the theme. In this case, beachy details for a sand filled soiree.

An aspect of beach weddings every always seems to forget is the sea glass. After spending years being tumbled around by the waves, sea glass is perfectly frosted and gives off some of the most amazing color you've ever seen. While collecting enough sea glass to decorate with can take years, you can skip the decades of collecting and planning by buying a bag already filled to the brim. For these escort cards, I laid the sea glass out on a platter and used it as a support to keep the shells standing. Like the sea glass, you can spend decades trying to find enough perfect shells to use. Hence why I purchased these along with the glass.

Lastly, get some chalkboard cards (I found these at Hobby Lobby) and write the name of each guest and there table number. Slide into the shell, balance on the sea glass and amaze your guests with the one beach detail they didn't expect to see when attending your wedding. However, I do have one suggestion. Make sure your trays are where you want them before setting up the shells. Trying to move the shells on the tray will only make them all fall over. 

A Little Friday Lovin' {Chalkboards}

When I was younger, I used to hate going to the chalkboard at school! The dust would get all over my fingers, and I found it incredible difficult to write. But now, I can't seem to get enough of them.  I even have one painted on the all of my kitchen.  They are the perfect little accessory for your party. Since they can be reused time after time, I don't see why everyone shouldn't have a couple small signs on hand at all times to add a little chic, eco friendly factor to your soiree. A chalkboard fits easily into any theme and can be incorporated in so many ways.  My favorite is the surfboard that has been painted with chalkboard paint and turned into a menu for a beach wedding. So unique! I'm also loving the sandwich board, and I must admit I even built one for myself to use for all tasks from a score board for a back yard game of corn hole to a wedding sign! Let me know, would you incorporate chalk boards into your event?

*From top left: Surfboard, Sandwich board, Just Married, Drinks