A Year of 1st Board (Tutorial)

As I mentioned in my post about this board here it was truly an emotional labor of love.  So, I’m sharing this tutorial for those of you interested in capturing some of your memories in this manner.

Supplies

• White wood board(I picked mine up from lowes for $12.)
• Chalk
• Photos
• Chalkboard paint 
• Wet towel
• Hot glue gun and sticks

   Step by Step Instructions

1. Wipe board down

2. Paint board with two coats of chalkboard paint

3. Let paint dry and settle for 48 hours

4. Spread chalk across the entire board

5. Wipe board completely clean

6.  Frame *See framing instructions below*

7.    Glue pictures unto framed board (as you would like).

8.    Take chalk and decorate your board with reflective words (as you wish).

Deatils on Framing...

I originally had planned to frame this board myself but didn’t have the proper tools. Going to Michael’s or any other framing place was out of the question for a board this size.  So of course I turned to my favorite handy couple The Killings. These two love taking a on home improvement project (Finished their whole basement, laid their own hard wood floors, etc) and if nothing else I knew they would have the tools. Get this tho, Denise also twist my hair lol (yup my friend is multi-talented and a mini perfectionist). Any way when I reached out via text (sent her a few photos of the board) she let me know to bring it over during my upcoming hair appointment so Des could work on it for me...SCORE. I took my painted board with me and Des (another mini perfectionist) worked on it the entire time. Unhappy with his initially product he kept it. I got it back a few days later and it looked Amazing.In writing this tutorial I reached out to team Killings for framing instructions and they provided the following.

Framing Supplies

• Pneumatic nailer/stapler,

• finish nails,

• Wood filler,

• Sand paper,

• Miter saw

• Woodgrain Milwork (door/window trim) 11/16in. x 2-14 x8in.

• Metal L shaped bracets for support

• White paint

Step by Step Instructions

1. Measure your board (mine was 36 x40).

2. Using the miter saw cut the wood corners at a 45 degree angle.*Please note: The cuts should be slightly longer than the board (just in case there are changes that need to be made)*.

3. Use nailer at the corners to nail the frame together.

4. Apply wood filler to fill-in nailer holes and let it dry.

5. Once dry sand with sand paper to make smooth.

6. Paint frame and let it dry.

7. Once paint dries put the board on the back of the frame and screw the L brackets in each corner for support.

Happy crafting fellow heartbeats

Chapter 31

Today is my 31^st birthday. Yup I’m entering Chapter 31 of this book I call my life. The previous 30 chapters of my life’s book have been far from a fairy tale but, perfect in there own right and I honestly wouldn’t change them for the world.  It is because of my life experiences, and all that I have overcome that have made me the WOMEN I am today. This honestly leads me to believe that, Chapter 31 one will only be another perfectly imperfect addition to my book of life.

In general my view on birthdays is... They are SUPER special. Especially, since it is the only day out the year that everyone takes time to honor just you. After all, the other holidays throughout the year are shared with everyone else so your birthday is to be celebrated :). And, of course since my celebratory options were limited last year. I thought of a million ways in which I could turn the heck up this year (I mean it's only the redo of my 30th birthday that my hubby and friends promised...This is my year bet I won't turn down lol). Unfortunately, none of my grand ideas to turn up worked out :(. So, I don’t really have any major plans for the day. As it stands I'm headed to get my hair and nails done. Then I plan to take a little me time this afternoon until it’s time to get Olivia Madison from daycare. 

However, there is a one thing I plan to accomplish during my “me time” this afternoon. A few years back I read a post on my friend Nikki of Curly Nikki site where she spent her 28^th birthday taking a page out of a friend of hers book. And sent out thank you’ s to those who had influenced her life. The goal of this exercise is to show gratitude to people no matter how large or small their impact has been on you. Over the past week I have thought long and hard about whom I wanted to write and my list is long but, then again why wouldn’t it be after 30 chapters’ lol.   

With that being said, you all are first :)

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support. Although we are in a new space (on the web) so many of you have followed me as I tried various endeavors. You all have shown me so much love and encouragement along the way that I’m grateful for. Thanks for taking time for your days to read about my life it truly means the world to me.