Let's Bloom

I know it has been a while since my last blog, but I want to get these started back up again! As many of you know, crafting is our way of dealing with stress and loss and just simply to have fun. We would love to hear how you handle those types of situations. We enjoy sharing our ideas with you and sometimes ideas from others that we recreate.

This past week, I created a project using a charger plate that I picked up while thrifting. It was in perfect condition and didn't appear to have been used. So it was perfect for this creation.

I also used one of these pages from a calendar that I picked up at Dollar Tree. If you've never used calendars in creating projects in crafting, you should. There are so many options available. So be sure to save those adorable calendars! From this packet I wanted something springlike for this time of year.

Therefore, I chose this one that says "Bloom Where You're Planted". This is just the perfect phrase and means to grow and flourish despite the circumstances you may be experiencing, and that does not mean to simply survive, but to thrive and blossom. It can be hard for some but it's not impossible. So remember to flourish in the moment that you are in and push through something that may be giving you stress. Through it all you will find that you are growing more and more through each situation.

Here are the two paint colors that I chose - Plaster (off white) and Scallion (bright green). You can find Waverly Chalk Paint at most Walmart.

Why do I love Chalk paint? It is a matte finish, sticks to just about any surface, dries quickly and uses less coats. At the end of this project I did use some Tim Holtz Distress Ink on the edge to help give it a slight distressed look.

Paint color choices were key in this project as I wanted it to tie in with the picture that I had chosen. I first painted the front completely with the Waverly Plaster Chalk Paint using two coats and then I painted just the trim of the charger with the Scallion Chalk Paint, using three coats. There was no need to paint the center as the paper would cover that part completely.

Once completely dry (use a heat gun, hair dryer or any type of heating tool if needed to dry faster), I gently sanded down any major brush strokes. I then added some nautical rope found at Dollar Tree and some white pearl-like beading to enhance around the rope. (The beading I've had forever in my stash of craft items.)

Next we prepare to add a bow. I wanted something simple that would tie the rope in, so I had some jute-like ribbon that you can get at Hobby Lobby, in the wedding section. Made a cute double bow that I tied with some jute string and hot glued it on. I had so much fund creating this bright beautiful door/wall hanger. As previously mentioned, I distressed the outer edge with the distress ink. Here's the finished project!! Don't be afraid to get creative and try something new.