Thankful Chalkboard

I got this made Thankful ChalkBoard a little late this month but next year I hope to use it all month long so we can write down the many blessings that come daily.

I started with cutting a shutter door in 1/2.

I painted the board "frame" and then drilled holes in the top for the fabric ribbon.

This is so cool. . .I just figured it out. Instead of measuring a cup of Flat paint, I got this "sample" Behr container(from Home Depot & the samples only come in Flat) to just add the 2 Tbl. of  non-sanded tile grout to make the Chalkboard Paint. It was so much easier! And you can have a different color than the boring Black & Gray. I did a Chocolate Brown(Dark Truffle UL140-2).

Brush on the Chalkboard Paint. I did 3 coats. Sand lightly(with the FINE sandpaper) between each coat. Then "condition" the board before the first use.

*Condition means to lay the chalk on its side and cover the whole board. Then wipe off with a clean dry cloth. You are now ready to write on the chalkboard.

 Drill a hole in the top of the frame for the wooden pot(sorry not sure of the size cause I had it leftover from another project) to hold the chalk.

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General {Conference Countdown}

Our kids love General Conference. 

It is a blessing to see the traditions we have for Holidays(and yes, conference is like a Holiday at our home) make such an impact on them. I made this Countdown to further their excitement for the big weekend. I was inspired by the September issue(pg. 11) of the Friend. I took about 1/2 of the ideas then added some of my own. Sorry this is so late in coming.

I decided to start the Countdown at 15 (12 apostles and 3 in the First Presidency) because each night we  focus on one of the men. It  just helps them remember who they will be watching. You can purchase the 8x10 photos here.

Cut a backboard 8"x11" (paint black) and a piece of beadboard 6"x9 1/4".

Paint the whole board a lighter color(I had cream).

Sand it.

Glue (Mod Podge) paper strips to fit the flat grooves of the beadboard. Add the vinyl title & hammer 2 nails( I used finishing nails 8d 2 1/2" from Home Depot)into the wood. *TIP: I predrilled the holes for the nails so when I hammered it wouldn't split the wood. Drill holes in the JUMBO sticks. Go slow because they split easy. I did a few at a time.

Use JUMBO sticks for the countdown numbers & activities.

After doing the activity(the backside of the stick), turn the stick over & place on "right" nail.

I have a printable here. I will list it here as well:

#15 Sing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (hymn pg 19) and
talk about why we have General Conference

#14 Scavenger Hunt or Scripture Chase verses about Prophets

#13 Play Temple matching game

#12 Read about the righteous Nephites in 4 Nephi 1: 1-13, 16-18

#11 Do a Service. This one is a great idea for Home/Visiting Teaching Families.

#10 Read an inspirational story from the Friend. I found this one.

#9 Sing "Follow the Prophet" (Children's Songbook pg 110-11)

#8 Talk about this teaching from Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Today I make you a promise. It's a simple one, but it is true. If you will listen to the living Prophet and the Apostles and heed our counsel, you will not go astray."

#7 Read about King Benjamin speaking to his people (Mosiah 2: 1,5,9,41).
How is this meeting like General Conference? Coloring page here.

#6 Play a game. This one seems fun.

#5 Read about Lehi's Liahona (1 Nephi 16: 10, 28-29 & Alma 37: 38-40). How are the words of the prophets like a Liahona for our family today?

#4 Pick out snacks to enjoy while watching Conference. We usually pick out snacks for everyone to share but I let them choose a candy that is just for them. They still have that choice to share though.

 #3 Write in your journal specific question and thoughts you have.
Pray to have your mind focused and heart opened.

#2 Play "Prophets and Apostles" matching game.

#1 Sing "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" (hymn pg 19)

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Puffy Paint Quote Board

 My friend gave an amazing lesson in church a few weeks back and the message just spoke to my soul. I decided to make something special for her to show my thankfulness. I knew the quote I was going to do and when I found this idea to do the puffy paint in a scroll pattern- it just fit.

Using my stencil, I traced a design. Then use the puffy paint to go over the pencil line design. 

*TIP: use the color of puffy paint close to the same color of paint you are going to paint the board (as a trial, we did white puffy paint and yellow board paint-you could totally see the white puffy paint, it didn't look as good)

After the puffy paint has dried (I did this at night so it could dry overnight) then paint your whole board the color of your choice. When the paint is dry, add your vinyl quote.

It turned out so beautiful, I made one for my SIL's new home and now I need to make one for our home.
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Homemade Dry Erase Board

We had to make some menu board changes at our Restaurant. With the Restaurant Menu we like to change things and it was a challenge to always change the vinyl wording. So when I found some wood at Lowe's to use as a dry erase board, I was so excited. For a 4'x8' board(could be labeled as:"white panelboard" or "mark-r-board wainscot"), it's 11.87.

I used this saw to cut them up into the measured pieces I needed.

Because the edges frayed a bit, I used my palm sander to sand the edges smooth. Then wipe the board off with a wet paper towel.

Homemade Dry Erase Board.

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