The Well is No Longer

<center></center>We have a giant ficus tree in the back yard that really needed a good trim because it was starting to touch the roof. We got a couple of bids (I was shocked at how much the price ranged!) and when the man we ended up hiring to do the trimming mentioned he did other types of removal jobs too, I got really excited.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3275.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_3275.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />About 0.0001 seconds later I blurted out "I have a well!"<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3279.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_3279.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Kyle took down the well's roof the same day and that ended up being the easy part. The brick base was really, really sturdy and completely full of dirt and very prickly plants. The girls spotted a little nest of (quail?) eggs though that was kind of cool. No scorpions that I could see, but there were a lot of spiders. Bleck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3276.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3276.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kyle ended up having to use this little lifter machine thing to get the brick up and out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3376.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3376.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3379.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3379.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After seeing all the work that went into this one, I was glad we hired a pro to take care of removing the well (let me know if you want Kyle's contact info- he's great!). I'm not sure we would have even been able to do it ourselves without the serious machinery. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3385.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_3385.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's still a project for me here though - I need to pick up three or four rolls of sod now to fix the smallish hole we have left in our lawn. I'd take a dirt patch over a faux well any day though. :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">(I can't believe it's gone! Yay!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How was your weekend? Are you in the middle of any excited projects? I love hearing about what you guys have going on.</div>

The Well is No Longer

We have a giant ficus tree in the back yard that really needed a good trim because it was starting to touch the roof. We got a couple of bid...

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DIY Concrete Planters

Oh man, I am getting SO excited for tomorrow's big event! Local friends, are you coming to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/213220958876335/" target="_blank">Phoenix Garden Party</a> that The Home Depot is putting on, hosted by yours truly? If you're going to be anywhere near the Glendale Home Depot tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 1 pm, please drop by! The event is going to be amazing and so fun (and it's FREE!). If you have a minute to RSVP, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/213220958876335/" target="_blank">feel free to click on over here</a>, but it's not totally necessary. We would love to see any and all of you! I hope you can make it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 282971_10152703850900031_854044833_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/282971_10152703850900031_854044833_n.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />To get myself all geared up for the big party tomorrow, I've been doing some gardening projects around my house. You all know I've been dying to try a DIY concrete planter for a while now. Well, this was the week! I felt the call of the DIY and I answered it with a big ol' bag of concrete.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DIYCONCRETEPLANTERSLGN.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/DIYCONCRETEPLANTERSLGN.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />So before I jump in to the tutorial, a little word to the wise - you might as well make five (or ten!) planters if you're going to the trouble (and mess) to make one. It's only a marginal amount of more work to make multiples, and I think these would make really cool hostess or house warming gifts! So why not?<br /><br />Here's the pretty simple how-to:<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Most importantly, you'll need a bag of this inexpensive, great and easy-to-mix concrete (huge thanks to my local Home Depot guy for recommending this particular brand. Dude knew his stuff!):<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2155.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2155.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />And you'll need a lot of PLASTIC containers (metal will work - I used several - but wow, what a headache!). A little trip to my closest Goodwill store was pretty fruitful for container gathering!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_3300.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_3300.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The trick is to find containers that have an interesting shape or pattern on the inside, so that the outside of your planter will have a cool imprint or shape. You'll also want to find more simple containers that fit inside the bigger outer containers, but that leave at least an inch or two gap between the two.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2160.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2160.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before you start, you'll probably want to wash all the containers and then give the insides a brushing of any type of oil or Pam you have on hand (this helps the concrete pop out easier later).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2175.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2175.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Then it's time to mix the concrete, which might feel mildly terrifying, but I promise it's super easy. You'll want a garden trowel and long mixing utensil (I used an old metal serving spoon) and a 2.5 gallon bucket for mixing the concrete. Don't forget to put everything on a big tarp or heavy drop cloth. This is definitely an outdoor project, and gloves and masks are a must.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2187.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2187.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You add concrete to water (or water to concrete) with the trowel, stirring, stirring, stirring, until you get something close to pudding consistency. This brand of concrete is quick set, so pretty much by the time it's completely mixed (lump-free), it's ready to be poured.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2197.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2197.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />You'll need to pour the bottoms of the planters first. If you want a drainage hole, stick in a dowel or cut a piece of cardboard tubing down like we did to the exact depth you want for the bottom of your planter, and pour concrete around that.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2206.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2206.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><center></center>With this brand of concrete, which dries unbelievably fast, you'll have to work quickly. Once the bottoms are poured, you put the inner container in the outer container, resting on top of your drainage hole form. And then while holding the inner container centered and in place, pour concrete in the space between the inner and outer containers to make the side walls of your planter. You can use a cup to help pour the concrete in, if needed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2217.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2217.jpg" /></div><br />Sort of shimmying the container after pouring helps the concrete settle and smooth out beautifully. And a couple of soft drops on the table or ground helps air bubbles come to the surface. This specific concrete will be dry in, like, an hour or less (but be careful - it gets crazy HOT while it's curing!). The planters will pretty much just plop right out of the container molds, especially the plastic ones. It's awesome.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2276.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2276.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2344.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2344.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The concrete is a really pale gray right now, but I know it will weather over time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2289.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2289.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These planters were both made with metal outer containers. The spiral one was a special sort of nightmare to work out of the mold! YIKES. But kind of cool right? The one on the left was made with a colander!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_2354.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_2354.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This one was made from the purple plastic container and it could not have been easier to get out! Easy breezy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2423.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2423.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I started to get experimental after a few of the more simple planters. For one shallow container mold, I hot glued palm fronds to the sides of the outer container.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3302.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3302.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2171.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2171.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love how organic and textural the pattern is! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2418.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2418.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2400.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2400.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I found two glass spheres at Goodwill too and thought they would work well for making concrete garden sculptures. We filled one up all the way and a second one up about 3/4 of the way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3313.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_3313.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When they were dry, we put them in a plastic bag and chipped off the glass.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2229.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2229.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love them and I want to make a giant one!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2305.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2305.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With the left over concrete in the bucket that was starting to dry up, I rolled out little balls and flattened one side before they dried.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2231.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2231.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I put a little construction adhesive on the flat sides and glued the little nubbins on to one of the planters we made from a plastic popcorn container. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2235.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2235.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's sort of funky, and I like it. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2466.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2466.jpg" /></div><br />Everyone should have a concrete planter with nubbins. YOLO.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2446.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2446.jpg" /></div><br />If you're lucky enough to live in a place that actually gets moisture (slow single tear for myself), you can grow moss on your concrete planters with a little bit of moss from your yard thrown in a blender with buttermilk for a sec. You paint the mixture on the planters and the moss should grow pretty fast. I tried this in Brooklyn and was surprised at how well it worked on some too-new terracotta pots we had on the back porch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2256.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2256.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, fun, right? I'm sort of feeling like concrete is my jam now. I want to concrete all the things.</div>

DIY Concrete Planters

Oh man, I am getting SO excited for tomorrow's big event! Local friends, are you coming to the Phoenix Garden Party that The Home Depot...

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DIY Extra Tall Baseboards

<center></center><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1010.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1010.jpg" /></div><br />I love tall, chunky baseboards and I'm not ashamed to say it! :) Beefy floor boards = instant character in a room. Custom milled tall baseboards are <i>insanely expensive </i>though<i>. </i>Luckily it's easy to replicate the look by layering a few pieces of much more affordable moulding. Here's how:<br /><a name='more'></a>After we installed the plywood wide plank flooring, I started nailing up the 8" primed pine boards that we used for baseboards in the rest of our house. These boards come in 12' lengths and cost right about $20 each (so about $1.50 per linear foot). I loved the way they looked in the rest of the house, but in here, with the wide planks being basically the exact same width, the chunky floor board looked super dinky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2646.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2646.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I used some moulding I already had on hand to create a custom stack of trim. We layered on my door and window casing moulding on top and a simple quarter round trim on the bottom of the pine board.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1289copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1289copy.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a view of the profile:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1318.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1318.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Pretty, right? I love that it's simple still.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2659.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2659.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used my new favorite finish nailer to install all the trim and it could not have been an easier process. The only tricky part was cutting out the notches for the outlets (of which there are many!), but my Dremel Saw made that just about as straight forward as could be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1278.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1278.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I used a miter saw for all the corner cuts and then lots and lots of caulking to fill in the gaps and cracks and nail holes before painting:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2645.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2645.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am not the biggest fan of caulk with shiny silicone in it. This stuff though - the straight ALEX caulk (no PLUS) - is the very best for caulking trim work and prepping before painting.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1317.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1317.jpg" /></div><br />Once everything was installed, caulked and dried, we painted the moulding the same color as the walls (BM's Chantilly Lace) in semi-gloss in the Advance line. So clean and new looking!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1011.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1011.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The casing trim is also about $1.50 or so per linear foot and the quarter round is really, really inexpensive. Maybe $0.30/ft? So all in all, less than $5 per linear foot for 12" high floor boards is a total steal! I really, really love how these baseboards turned out.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1048.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1048.jpg" /></div>

DIY Extra Tall Baseboards

I love tall, chunky baseboards and I'm not ashamed to say it! :) Beefy floor boards = instant character in a room. Custom milled tall ba...

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DIY Custom Chalkboard Paint

One of the sad casualties from the move was the glass in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-see-chalk-board-in-my-future.html" target="_blank">my beloved scroll mirror</a>. :(<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 22DSC_0013.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/22DSC_0013.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />This mirror has had a prominent place in <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-bigger-mirror.html" target="_blank">our past couple homes</a> - I love its unique shape.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 0DSC_0100.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/0DSC_0100.jpg" /></div><br />The movers accidentally knocked it over when they were loading the truck in Brooklyn. Luckily, there was no damage to the brass frame or to the composite wood backing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1134.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1134.jpg" /></div><br />I can always go and get more mirror cut, but I wanted a chalkboard in our kitchen and this spot over the garbage cans was that perfect place. The frame just barely fit, so I was worried a traditional black chalkboard would be too dark for the space. My sister reminded me I could custom mix chalkboard paint colors, and there was no looking back!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0654.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0654.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2112.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2112.jpg" /></div><br />Here's how we turned my old mirror into a chalkboard:<br /><a name='more'></a><br />The backing board was in good shape so we just needed to trowel on joint compound to create a new, smooth surface to paint.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1140.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1140.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1144.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1144.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's just like frosting a cake, but significantly less tasty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1146.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1146.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my readers gave me this tip for smoothing joint compound. Rather than sanding the dried compound (which is an <i>unbelievably</i> dusty undertaking) using a damp grout sponge and "wet sand" the compound by smoothing it with the sponge. It is SO easy to get a silky finish this way, and there's absolutely zero dust. Works great on walls and for small applications like this one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0232.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0232.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have any air bubbles or spots that need touch ups, I like to water down the joint compound a lot. It's easier to put on a small amount when the compound mixture is thin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0220.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_0220.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the joint compound is completely dry (maybe wait an entire day or two?), it's a good idea to give the surface a coat of primer (like Zinsser) before painting on the chalkboard paint. Then to make your own chalkboard paint color, you just need a bag of unsanded grout, which you can find at any hardware store, and a bit of regular latex paint in any color you want.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0254.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0254.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted my chalkboard to be a medium gray, so I mixed some Chelsea Gray and some Brushed Aluminum together until I got about what I wanted. To make the regular paint chalkboard paint, I added two tablespoons of the unsanded grout for every cup of paint. It's important to mix the grout in really well - clumps are no good here! An old whisk works great.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0278.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0278.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I gave my primed backing board two good coats of my custom chalkboard paint using a foam roller.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0319.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0319.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the paint was totally dry (only about ten seconds later in the AZ heat!), I smoothed out any bumps in the paint with a fine grit sanding block. Then Heather and Gracie helped me condition the chalkboard surface by rubbing the entire surface with chalk. This helps make the chalkboard more easy to erase - the chalk sits on top of chalk rather than getting into the pores of the painted surface.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0344.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_0344.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We put the frame back together (there are eight individually cast scrolls!) and hung it up in the kitchen. I love having a place to write up a weekly menu.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0651copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_0651copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2120.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2120.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a fun place for the girls to doodle, too. Last night we had a lot of our extended family over for a dinner party to celebrate Michael's mom's birthday and the girls decorated the chalkboard for the party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2116.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2116.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2135.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2135.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2112.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2112.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a little big for the wall there, but I still love it. I have lots of art hanging in our kitchen right now (to make up for the current lack of shelving) and I like how the chalkboard is a part of that. It all sort of works well together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2102.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2102.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And I think the gray is a little more subtle than black would have been. Since I used half Brushed Aluminum, which is the wall color in the living room, I think the chalkboard doesn't feel too imposing, even though it is huge on that tiny wall. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2096.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2096.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div></div></div>

DIY Custom Chalkboard Paint

One of the sad casualties from the move was the glass in my beloved scroll mirror . :( This mirror has had a prominent place in our past cou...

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