For years, I admired those framed chalkboards & bulletin boards, but The Budget Diet girl inside of me couldn't justify spending $40+! So, I figured out how to make them for less than $10, and they make perfect teacher gifts! Here's how to make your budget friendly framed chalkboard or bulletin board:
#1. Find an old picture frame of any size...these are easy to find at garage sales, flea markets, Goodwill or thrift stores for just a few dollars! Also...always be on the lookout for a "free curbside treasure"...a.k.a. the trash!
#2. Take your frame to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and have them cut a piece of foam board to fit.
#3. If you're making a chalkboard...take the foam board home & paint it with chalkboardpaint. Next...return to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and have them insert the foam board into the frame & finish the back.
#4. If you're making a bulletin board...buy a piece of burlap & take it to Michael's or Hobby Lobby...they will mount it on the foam board, insert the foam board into the frame & finish the back.
#5. Have you child write "Have a Great Summer" on the chalkboard OR write a thank you note to the teacher & pin it to the bulletin board. If the chalkboard or bulletin board is a gift for a friend or family member, simply write a note on the chalkboard or pin a note to the frame.
Once you've mastered making these...you might just give them to all your friends & family! Just remember, always be on the lookout for old frames!
Proper painting surface preparation is one of the most critical factors to getting high quality results. It doesn't matter whether the job is complete repainting of a 1,000,000 square foot warehouse complex or a simple touch up job in the gymnasium of a small elementary school. Proper surface prep sets the stage for success. Here are some tips for perfect surface prep that you can take care of, and a guide to the prep work that you should leave to your painting contractor.
Dry Painting Surface: You or Your Contractor First and foremost, your painting surface should be dry. So long as safety permits, you can make life a lot easier for your painting contractor by drying the painting environment beforehand. Dehumidifiers and fans can be employed to speed air circulation. Mop up standing water if necessary to improve the safety of the project site.
Clean Painting Surface: You or Your Painting Contractor Surfaces have to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure good paint adhesion. Your contractor will often include an estimate for prep work in a project bid. You may be able to perform some of the work and thus reduce the estimate; however, some tasks must be performed by a professional. Get rid of old flaky paint, sand down blisters and other imperfections.
IMPORTANT: You should consult with your painting contractor and determine if lead-based paints or other hazardous materials are present before cleaning the painting surface. If a hazardous material issue exists, the surface will need to be cleaned by a certified professional for safety reasons.
Sand or Blast Painting Surface: Your Painting Contractor The actual sanding of the surface should be left to your painting contractor. Depending on the types of coating products that will be applied to the surface, the contractor may have specific manufacturer's recommendations for sanding. Plus most painting contractors hold to a high standard for surface prep because it is such a huge component of a quality job.
Prime Painting Surface: Your Painting Contractor After the drying cleaning and sanding, the surface is ready to be primed. A primer coat acts as the foundation for the coating. All subsequent layers of paint depend on the adhesion between the primer and the bare surface. Most painting contractors will insist on applying the primer coat to ensure that it is properly done and capable of producing a good finished product.
For more information and advice on preparing a surface for painting and coating, please contact a professional painting company.
The C2 Group and Ektron co-exhibited at a conference for higher education institutions last month. We created this chalkboard-themed display booth using masonite, chalkboard paint, white chalk and a little creativity. We captured the drawing process on our webcam for all to enjoy. As you can see, we had a blast making it. Three cheers for learning!
Wall murals can turn the plain old wall space of your child's room into beautiful portals and windows looking out over whole new worlds. And for little girls, wall mural options and ideas are only limited by the imagination. From princess themes to undersea dreams - from fairies to mermaids to horse-drawn carriages and castles in the sky - your little girl will fall in love with the endless selection of wall murals available to help create her dream bedroom!
Girls wall murals come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Vinyl wall decals for girls are sold in easy peel-and-stick applications, from the smallest single butterfly to the largest majestic unicorn. These vinyl wall murals go on and come off with no glue or adhesive, and can be moved and repositioned at will. Instant transformations can be made in the way of custom-printed Minute Mural wall hangings. Created on quality professional-grade materials, these kits come complete, ready to install, and assemble in just minutes. For the do-it-yourself touch, girls wall murals, stickers, and decals can be applied to bare or painted walls - perfect for the little princess that wants to create her own customized designs. Great shops like the Wall Sticker Outlet carry all of these wall mural types and more, and always offer free shipping too!
Choosing a girls wall mural theme can often prove difficult, as they're available in every imaginable motif. Princess themed options include castles, white horses, and knights in shining armor. Disney princess stickers and wall borders are available along the same lines. Girls wall murals come in popular themes like Hello Kitty, Barbie, Tinkerbell, and even Bratz decals and stickers. Animal wall murals are also popular, from baby nursery level stuffed animal themes to fun safari and zoo animal appliques that bring the jungle right into your little girl's bedroom.
Chic and stylish boutique-type wall murals are sold for older girls, including rock star and girl power stickers designed to make distinct fashion statements. Life-sized beach themes can be created by using giant wall murals depicting scenes of sun and surf. Tropical wall mural windows and surfboard themed accents can create the perfect surfer girl look. For a more dramatic look, turn an entire wall into a breathtaking undersea wall scene complete with fish, whales, and mermaids. Fantasy themes also include enchanted kingdoms, unicorn decals, and customizable girls wall murals that begin with 'Once Upon a Time' and end with your daughter's own name, custom phrase or saying.
Another recent development in wall decor is the application of chalkboard and dry erase surfaces. These peel and stick decals can be placed right into any girls wall mural, letting your child write her own story! Wallies flower fairies dry erase and chalkboard stickers make perfect additions to any girl's wall decor, and come off just as easily as they go on.
The finishing touches to any wall mural include all the extra trimmings that will make your daughter's room so special. Individual wall appliques and decal sheets can be used to supplement any little girls wall murals. Flowers, butterflies, and magical wands come in pinks, purples, and beautiful rainbow colors. There are even wall mural decals that turn your daughter's whole ceiling into a cloud-filled sky, as well as celestial glow-in-the-dark appliques of stars, moons and planets that can be enjoyed even when the lights go off!
No matter how you complete your little girls wall mural, the best part is getting her involved. Together the two of you can create a functional work of wall art she'll enjoy and remember for years to come, all the while having fun in the process.
If there is nowhere your child would rather be than the batter's box then this incredibly colorful theme is just what you are looking for! Give your child a ball park that can be used any time day or night, rain or shine. A dug out that houses a bed, a mural of the outfield, and their very own home plate will amuse your child and his or her guests for hours on end. Never again say the words, "No playing ball in the house." Once you have completed this baseball themed room your child can safely play ball anytime.
Build a simple dug out by fastening together three pieces of plywood and attaching to the wall. Paint with home team colors and slide the bed inside the dug out. This disguises the bed so that it does not detract from the theme of the room. It also adds a personal touch that will relax your child and increase their enjoyment of the room.
Next you will need to paint the remaining wall space. For this project you will need to hire an artist if you are not artistically inclined. On one wall you will be painting an outfield scene and on another you will be painting the bleachers. If you do not have a fourth large wall save room in the outfield for a scoreboard. Create your scoreboard by using chalkboardpaint. Paint a 3' X 4' area on the wall with chalkboardpaint, then use white paint to decorate this area to look like a scoreboard. This will give your child a realistic place to keep score for the many games sure to be held here.
Use a white area rug to create home plate. Situate the area rug so that the batter will face the outfield just like in a real baseball game. This will create the illusion of a truly being in a ball park. The area rug will protect you floors as well. Any scuffs that may be caused by missed swings will be prevented and if the action get a little wild the area rug will help to absorb the sound.
Of course you do not want your child playing ball in the house with a real ball and bat, as an accessory get a soft set that will not do damage to your walls or windows. If your child is small you may want to invest in a tee ball stand as well. These will double as accessories and toys, because they will match your theme and be useful. You could use the whole room as a birthday or Christmas surprise and invite a couple of friends for a sleepover. Your child and his or her guests will be amazed.
This amazing design may be slightly expensive, but it is worth every dime. This colorful theme will brighten every morning for your child. Give your child a place to learn and grow through a sport they dearly love. A room like this can inspire a child to reach for their goals, so encourage your child by giving their dreams a chance.
