Chalkboard Candle Jars

It has been suggested to me once or twice that I have a very real chance of being identified as what is colloquially known as an obsessive compulsive hoarder. Personally, I think such a characterisation is grossly unfair, but what can you do? The fact of the matter remains that I really really don’t like to throw things out.

Holly Golightly Inspired Sleep Mask – September Short Projects

“If I could find a real-life place that’d make me feel like Tiffany’s, then – then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!“

I’ve never met an Audrey Hepburn film I didn’t love, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the best (although Sabrina will always be my personal favourite!). Today’s September Short Project is inspired by the inimitable Holly Golightly, and her classic glamour sleep mask. Because, really, why shouldn’t you be glamourous in your sleep?

Provincial Style Chalkboard Frames – September Short Projects

Welcome to another beautiful September morning and the long-dreaded Election Day! Remember to make your vote count for the issues you care about (animal rights, anyone?).

Today’s September Short Project is something I have been meaning to get to for a while. I saw these MDF frames at Bunnings ages ago, and had to get them – I knew they would look great somewhere (although I had no idea where!). They were $12.95 each.

I painted them white with my trusty can of antique white paint that is still going strong. It has a nice gloss to it and really classed up the frames.

Then they sat around the house for about 4 months while I debated what to do with them. Artistic photos of us? Scrapbook paper background? I tried both, but they just didn’t seem right.

Finally, it hit me – I now have some extra chalkboard paint after making my chalkboard wall, and I decided they would make great chalkboard frames!

Being the lazy person that I am, I just painted the back insert of the frame. I didn’t even use a brush – I laid the paint on thickly with a paper towel, so that I wouldn’t have to bother with oil paint cleanup.

Complete with cat hair!

After letting the frames dry for 48 hours, I slapped on a few designs with my chalk, and replaced the inserts into the frames.

Still complete with cat hair…

Needs a bit of a clean up!

I’ve been thinking of these frames for our powder room for a while, and to my happiness they really suited it. We have French provincial bathroom accessories, although you can’t really see them, and I think the frames match well!

The before shot.

I put the frames up using some helpful 3M stickies – what do you think of the final effect?

The after shot.

Check out some other September Short Projects:

• Home-Made Vintage Soap Dispensers
• Planting a Passionfruit

Home-made Vintage Soap Dispensers – September Short Projects

Like my last post, today’s September Short Project is part of a larger plan. If you’re a Pinterest addict like me, you may have seen the idea of turning jars into soap dispensers. I’ve always wanted to try it, and decided to give it a go in preparation for a future project – making my own soap. But first things first.

Vintage 1920s Tea Cosy

Have you noticed that the 1920s are all the rage at the moment? I can’t count the number of Roaring ’20s/flapper/Great Gatsby themed events I’ve been invited to lately! Actually I can, because I’m not very social, but it’s a few! So in the spirit of the moment, this week I present you with my latest project: this super cute 1920s vintage tea cosy.  Sure, it’s more “Great Heat Retention” than “Great Gatsby”, but what can you do?