So I saw a cool idea for a homemade chalkboard on a blog and
thought it looked easy. A simple transformation of an old, ugly picture and
frame! Well, I should’ve remembered the tedious Dresser Makeover that my
parents and I did before I moved down to Birmingham (#spraypaintproblems).
Anyway, I did not remember this and decided I wanted to make a big chalkboard
for my huge white wall.
So my friend Anna and I went out thrifting this past
Saturday. First stop was Good Will where I found just what I was looking for! A
huge square picture with a decent frame and ugly picture! Perfect for only 15
bucks.
Next, we needed to go to Lowe’s to get magnetic AND
chalkboard paint. I was told there was a paint that could do both of these
things in one. But when I got to Lowe’s, they told me they are separate paints.
The magnetic one was $20! (uhh no thank you!) and the chalkboard spray paint
was $6. (do-able).
So we googled in the store if it really works to paint the
magnetic paint THEN a coat of chalkboard paint, and the results were mixed. We
came across a lady online who said she had just painted a piece of sheet metal
with chalkboard paint to achieve both. So we checked out the sheet metal. There
was one that was the PERFECT size for my frame (Yes, I lugged my frame into the
store from the car just to check) and it was only $11!
Disaster #1: At the checkout, turns out the sheet metal was
in the wrong spot in the store and it was actually $26!!! I bought it in the
heat of the moment, but as I was walking to the car, I started getting angry I
was going to spend $45 on a DIY project when I have turned down BUYING things
for that price that could fill my wall. So with Anna’s patience and
encouragement, I went back inside and returned the sheet metal. Making the
board magnetic was NOT worth $26. I can just tape pictures to it if I want.
Disaster #2: So I get home, all excited and ready to start
my big project. Shake my spray paint can and IT NEVER RATTLES. Called my mom to
complain and she tells me it must be broken and I need to return it.
“NOOOOOOOO!” I was all hot and sweaty and the Lowe’s was a 15 minute drive and
I had been running around all dayyyy! I did not want to go back to the store.
But it kept hanging over my head and I was set on doing my project that night
so I went.
After I got home with my new paint, I spray painted indoors
over a tarp.
Disaster #3: Apparently that paint goes everywhere and although I thought I was stepping on clean parts of the tarp….THE BOTTOMS OF MY FEET WERE BLACK AND STICKING
TO MY CARPET! Thank God I didn’t have black footprints on my carpet or I would’ve cried. (I
should note I made it through this project without any tears. Came close once
though.)
So after I was done with like 4 coats of spray paint, I
spent 2 HOURS using nail polish remover and cotton balls getting paint off the
bottom of my feet. And it STILL didn’t even all come off.
Disaster #4: As I was cleaning my feet, I knocked over the
bottle of nail polish remover onto my LAPTOP! I picked it up immediately to
drip the liquid off of it into the sink and then wiped it down with a Kleenex.
It seemed fine, thank God, but I have NEVER spilled anything on my laptop
before. Must’ve been the stress boiling beneath the surface from this
frustrating hellish night.
The spray paint looked all streaky, but at this point, I did
not care. I hated this project. I did another spray paint coat in the morning
then spent the afternoon painting the frame. It turned out great and the
streaks sort of went away when it dried. All I have left to do is set the paint
with chalk and hope to God it works!!
All in all, I learned that I am not made to do crafts. It is
not my personality to enjoy making things. Writing? Yes. Making music and
singing with my uke? Yes. Anything with paint and/or patience? Nope. This is
also why I hate cooking. I hate making something that takes time and energy to
MAYBE turn out cool/delicious when I could just go buy something I already
love. I am not good at following directions and I am not good at having the
patience to make sure all the details are right.
So through this project, I made a vow: I will not do another
craft for 5 years. I also vowed to never use spray paint again in my life.
(This is the common demon in the dresser and the chalkboard.)
I am jealous of those who are crafty, but I will never be
crafty. I was not designed to be crafty. I was designed to pay my crafty
friends for their wonderful work!
Xoxo Katie
