Hey Ya’ll, what happened to Fall?? It was hot here today…I might have even broken a sweat just by being outside!
Today I’m sharing how I gave new life to a little old shelf I found during this yard sale trip. You can barely see it in the bottom corner.
I’ve already tackled a couple of pieces, like the drop leaf table in the center.
Like I said, it’s just a little old shelf, but there were a couple of things that made me buy it.
I figured I would do something with it eventually. The brackets that hold the shelf are pretty long, so I thought this would make a great little dual purpose chalkboard!
I originally wanted to use it in our kitchen to replace the countless sticky notes plastered all over the counter. (Seriously, if it weren’t so late and dark, I’d take a picture of the insanity for you.)
Our system works though and I couldn’t find an ideal spot for it. Then I remembered I wanted to change out what was hanging above the boys’ bathroom towels!
Perfect!
Now I can use it to write reminders for my oldest son, Jack, my big middle schooler! (My dad used to call us “Love” and I find myself calling my boys that too.)
Here is Brennan’s view (he’s three):
That’s okay, he can’t read yet anyway.
After painting and waxing the shelf, I attached a piece of quarter-inch MDF that I spray painted with chalkboard paint. I attached it with little nails.
I found a leftover piece of trim in the garage to create a ledge for the chalk across the bottom.
I’m sure my boys won’t appreciate my little blue mason jars, but they were the perfect pairing for this ceramic starfish. Can you see what’s in one of the jars?
It’s a piece of cotton that my husband actually pulled over on the side of the road to pick for me…for our second wedding anniversary…the cotton one.
He really took that literally. It was actually very sweet because we later planted the seeds and grew a little bit ourselves! We’re adventurous like that.
This is also the perfect little project for our Get Your DIY on Fall Party Challenge. Do you know why? Because this week’s theme is chalkboard projects!
Here is what my beautiful co-hosts created for our challenge. Click the links below the image to see more.
Chalkboard Lampshade The Hankful House
DIY Fall Chalkboard Just a Girl and Her Blog
Little Chalkboard Folding Chair House by Hoff
Chalkboard Projects for the Fall Front Porch The Happy Housie
Here’s one more before of my little outdated yard sale shelf:
And after…
Not too shabby for one whole dollar. (I’ll be sharing this bathroom makeover soon!)
Dust off your old chalkboard projects or create a brand new one and come join us this Sunday, October 6th, at 7pm EST. Five blogs, one party! There’s so much goodness all in one place!
Check out all sixteen weeks’ themes for our Get Your DIY on Fall Party Challenge here.
Love you like… (the first thing that came to mind was Raisin Bran what??)..how about…fried chicken!
Love you like fried chicken…mmm 🙂
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Email * Facebook * Pinterest * Hometalk * Twitter * Instagram
I love to share at some of these great parties:
Home Stories A to Z Not Just a Housewife Kammy’s Korner The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Redoux Interiors Between Naps on the Porch The DIY Dreamer Oh My Creative Little Miss Celebration Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista House on the Way Addicted 2 DIY I should be Mopping the Floor Miss Mustard Seed
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose says
You make some of the coolest stuff from other stuff 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, JoAnne! I’m afraid I’m rubbing off on my eleven year old. He wants to save everything because he says he’ll make something out of it! 🙂
Andi says
Super-cute…And I luuuurve that color! And I love the picture from Brennan’s perspective. 😉
-andi
Christy K. James says
Thanks, girl! Brennan was in the bathroom when I took it (such a challenge to keep him out of photos!) and he was looking up at the shelf, so I kneeled down to see it from his view… just thought I’d share that with the world ha ha! Hope you’re weekend is treating you well 🙂
distresseddonna says
Wonderful transformation. Love the sentiment behind the message and the gift of cotton.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Donna! I really appreciate when someone takes the time to read what I’ve written. It’s so easy to just scroll through the pictures. (I know I’m guilty of that too!) Hope you have a great week 🙂
Dianna @ Oy Vey a Day says
I love this shelf. I have just started experimenting with repainting old furniture – I really like this because it is both fun and functional
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Dianna! I thought it was fun too…my son loves it in his bathroom 🙂
Laurie @ House of 34 says
Very cute! A nice way to leave a note. The striped walls look awesome too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Laurie! My son loves it in his bathroom 🙂
Dawn @ We Call It Junkin says
I really love this – love the shade of blue, and you gotta love chalkboards. I want to invite you to link this, or any antique/vintage/history post you have, to my We Call It Olde Link-Up, Tuesdays, at We Call It Junkin.com. Hope to see you there! I have a chalkboard post I’m going to post on your party, glad to have found you. Take care – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
Christy K. James says
Thanks for the invite, Dawn…just linked up 🙂
Molly says
Wow! it looks awesome, love the little ledge you added for chalk.
I’m having a give a way going on right now, if you’re interested I hope you enter. 🙂
it’s a fall inspired sign I painted.
Have a Lovely day,
Molly
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Molly 🙂
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
It’s so pretty! I’m always impressed at how you can see the potential in things and then add your own bits and pieces to it to make it perfect. My mind does not work that way, but obviously yours does it beautifully! Great project, Christy!
~Abby =)
Christy K. James says
Aww you’re too good to me! Thanks, friend 🙂
Jessica Christian says
This is like a complete metamorpshosis! I love the way you have implanted your creative idea on an old shabby shelf. The “AFTER” of the transformation looks splendid & I love the chalkboard glitch you have got in there.
Hats off to u girl!
Love
Jessica x
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jessica! 🙂
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
I love it, what a great idea. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Sarah says
What a great transformation, love the color you chose as well.
Christy K. James says
Thanks! And thanks for visiting 🙂
jeannie panza says
I love this shelf. You are so talented – I love, love, love this!!!!!!
Christy K. James says
Aww…well I love love love your sweet comment! 😀
Tammy says
What a great idea! I love giving things new life! Looks great!
Christy K. James says
Thanks for visiting, Tammy! XO
Kayla @ Home Coming blog says
This looks great! I’m hosting a State Art giveaway that you should enter! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/10/state-art-giveaway-from-word-lust.html
the cape on the corner says
oh my goodness. I have a shelf that I can totally add chalkboard paint to-what a great idea! I was absolutely planning to get rid of my shelf. love your creation!
Christy K. James says
Awesome! You found this just in time then. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a sweet comment! 🙂
Rhonda says
Come visit us at http://obsessiveandcreative.blogspot.com/2013/10/craft-frenzy-friday-8.html
We are having a party and it won’t be the same without your creativity!
Craft Frenzy Friday!
Katie says
I LOVE this chalkboard shelf, Christy! Great makeover and it looks great in the bathroom! Thanks SO much for sharing at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop! Have a great day!
Katie
Kammy's Korner says
Love this! I’m always picking up those shelves for cheap at yard sales. Can’t go wrong.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Kammy! There are so many possibilities! 🙂