Monday's Haul: Shopping from Home

My husband loves it when I shop from home! Not online shopping... scavenging around our house and finding stuff I forgot I had or can use in a new way! That's what this weekend was all about. With him gone for a guys' weekend and the kiddo and I at home doing some cleaning, I ran across this little BIG jewel!

It's a 24" tall MDF letter I bought over a year ago from Build-A-Cross.com with every intention of painting and hanging it on our H wall. Instead, I thought I'd do something with the hubby in mind. Valentine's Day is this Saturday and if your husband is anything like mine he's nearly impossible to buy for. Luckily he is a hopeless romantic!

Awe!

So I thought I'd make good on an idea I've had for a while now to paint the letter with chalkboard paint and use white paint to inscribe the words to our love song (think Shania Twain, circa 1998).

When I use chalkboard paint, especially on an already smooth surface, I like to use a navy paint for my basecoat then follow up with a layer or two of chalkboard paint. If you want to distress the finished surface the blue peaks through and gives a depth that chalkboard paint alone won't provide. It also helps achieve more solid coverage and saves you from using as much of the more expensive chalkboard paint.

Then, instead of using chalk (which would fade and be difficult to finish) I use a white paint either in a paint pen or on a brush. You can decide whether the lettering needs to be precise or haphazard – either way, it's beautiful! I'll show you a finished picture later this week.

I think he will appreciate the thought... and the fact that I didn't spend any money! :)

What are you giving your honey this Valentine's Day?

Happy junkin' y'all!
Liz