The WA LAH Magnetic Board!

For 2 years I've had a piece of sheet metal sitting in my garage.

I've had great plans for it but never had the time to do anything until now.

Not that I really had the time and I made the big mistake of trying to construct this baby

while my hubby had a few days off of work.

That was mistake number one. 

You'd think I'd learn my lesson every time I ask him to go into Walmart with me.  Within seconds of entering his feet hurt and I can't hurry fast enough to get out.

Same thing with asking for construction help...which always ends with me throwing my hands in the air and banishing him from the garage with threats of "I'll just get my sister to help me."

You see there's a reason we "crafty sisters" stick together....

and all of our projects are limited to Monday thru Friday 9am-5pm.

So here's my baby...I mean the finished project:

Ain't she cute????

Can you see Candace and I reflecting in the metal?

WA LAH is how I presented it for my sis's approval....(that's how my little girl says Voila and it just sticks in my head, I guess that's what happens to moms huh?:))

I've been wanting a magnetic board of sorts/catch all for a long time

and I've had this idea floating in my head.

I didn't want something everyone else had.

I wanted a little stash place for pencils/staplers and the other junk I can't live without.

And hey, I had to use that big piece of crown molding.  I quickly found out why it was in the trash...it was slightly bowed.  But I won't tell if you don't!

1.  I made my plan-drew it out on paper.

2. I gathered my supplies and laid them out to see if this really would jive.

3.  I started with a new product Elmer's Wood Glue Gel~~it was sweet, didn't run and was so easy to clean up!

4.  Nail away baby!

5.  I actually cut the crown molding myself after watching Tom Silva from This Old House's great instructional video HERE.

6.  I wood fillered it all in.

7.  Primed and Painted~~not all spray paints are created equal! I can honestly say Rustoleum is the bomb!

8.  Another great tip my Mom gave after she spied the fix it guy at her house, when using yicky particle board (which I did for the top shelf) smear a little bit of wall spackle over it to fill in the little pits and it results in a smoother finish and is easier to paint!  It worked!

9.  I nailed the sheet metal on with upholstery nails.  I didn't want it permanently stuck on just in case I change my mind or I drop the whole thing trying to hang it up....

10. WA LAH!  (Yup, Walah!) I love it!

The beauty of this project is that it cost me practically nothing.

I had the sheet metal cut (2 years ago) from a local metal fabricator $30 it is 2' x 4'

Crap wood from my garage stash I dumpster dived for $0

Spray paint & Primer $7

Smile on my face PRICELESS!

Now I just got to figure out how to hang it up.....Honey can you help me?????

 

Between Naps on the Porch, Metamorphosis Monday

Make Your Monday, Twice Remembered

Ballard Designs Round Mirror Copycat

I have been a little obsessed with mirrors lately, especially round mirrors.  I love them!

This is my attempt to copy Ballard Design's Cavaillon Mirrors with Chain.  

    Image from Ballard Designs

Ballard Design's are pretty cool.  I had the intention of putting little clasps around the edge of the mirrors. Mine are not inlayed like theirs and I kind of prefer the simplicity of no clasps.

 A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a marked down 18" beveled circular mirror at Target, and

 two smaller sized mirrors from the craft store.

 At Lowes, I found three different sized pressed wood rounds.  To give the rounds a nice finish, I talked Nicole into routering the edges for me.

I owe her big time for all the help!

She said to make sure you use clamps when routering so it won't slip.

I first primed and then spray painted with the delicious Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

I used epoxy to glue the mirror to the wood.  I have to warn you, I am impatient and thought it was set only after a few hours.  I came downstairs and heard this HUGE crash.  Um, I guess it takes longer to set than I thought.  I'll let you know how the glue does hold up....after 24 hours! :)

**Update**  Gail, from My Repurposed life informed me that there is a mastic especially for adhering mirrors to stuff.  It's in the caulking section of hardware stores.  Thanks Gail!

I found some chain and rings at Lowe's. I used some hooks I had to anchor the chain into the wall.  I also hung the mirrors from the back, so all the pressure is not on the chain.

I spray painted the chain, and later touched up where it rubbed off inside. This lilac bush worked wonderfully to hold the chain while I painted.  I'm sure my neighbors think I'm NUTS because I'm always hanging junk up on my trees and spray painting! :)

I glazed the mirrors with antique gold again. It just looks so nice with the Oiled Rubbed Bronze paint.

I carefully screwed in the hook holding the chain.

I hung them up!  I don't know if I will keep them here permanently.

What do you think, should I add the little frame hooks around the mirror edge like Ballard's?