First Tutorial: Chalkboard Glasses for our wedding in two parts

Hi everyone!

I know I missed blogging yesterday, but let me tell you that you will not be disappointed with today's post!

I am going to show you step-by-step how I am going to make chalkboard glasses for our wedding as favors for our guests.

Let me first say that if you are someone that follows directions to a tee you are going to be horrified by how I do projects!

I stink at following directions, especially when it comes to crafts.  I don't like to measure, I cut things where I think they should be cut, and I don't always use the materials that you should.

Let's just say, that some things work and out some things don't, but it is ALWAYS an adventure!

So here are the ingredients that I am using:
White Dry Non-Sanded grout that can be bought at any hardware store
Acrylic Paint (I chose black but it can be any color)
Glasses (I bought mine for 97 cents at Walmart!)
Tape to make the square or shape on the glass (I couldn't find our painters tape so I am actually using medical tape)

The first step is to tape off the shape on the glasses to be able to paint the chalkboard paint.

Using my medical tape I cut strips and put them onto the glasses in a square, overlapping.  I think you could probably do it in any shape and I am thinking maybe a heart might be cute?!

I think with painters tape or masking tape it would be easier to get straight edges, but I work with what I have!!

Next step was to mix up the chalkboard paint.
The original recipe called for :
1 cup paint
2 tablespoons Dry White Non-Sanded Grout

I was only doing two glasses so honestly I squirted some paint into my bowl (acrylic black) and poured some grout on top.

The next step is to stir the paint together, and it seems the most important rule is to try and get out all of the big lumps.

I then painted the mixture onto the glasses, pretty thick so it would cover completely, because one of the last steps is to sand it down so that it is ready to use with chalk.

Now, I need to let the paint air dry (you could probably use a hair blower if you want), but I need to go cook dinner, so we will finish the tutorial hopefully tomorrow!

Hope you enjoyed it and it was easy to follow!

Love,

Jess

Lovely Sunday Photograph

Happy Sunday everyone!

I hope everyone had a productive, fun, and relaxing weekend.  Not sure if all of those things go together, but why not!

Here's the lovely photograph for today.  It is a wedding themed photo.  Not just because I LOVE weddings, but also because Meridyth and I spent the afternoon with our mama's planning ours.

The image taken by talented a very talented wedding photographer Kelly Prizel.  The lighting, the framing, I think the image is just beautiful.

Enjoy!

love,

Jess

Sunday Lovely Photograph

I didn't do this last week or the week before but since I am trying to have consistency on the blog...Artist Friday's!  I am going to try and post a lovely photograph every Sunday for your enjoyment.

Lately I have been dreaming of the Northern Lights.

Have any of you ever seen them?  It is definitely on my bucket list.

Photograph by Raymond Gehman

 See everyone tomorrow!

Love,

Jess

Christmas Eve, British Photogs, and a look at my studio

Merry Christmas Eve lovlies!

I am about to head out with Mer to eat some good food and see some family, but I thought I would write this blog really quick while she was putting on her makeup!

First, these are some bookmarks I was working on to give out as presents to coworkers

I had not yet covered them with acrylic sealer (makes it shiny) and they are missing the ribbons on the top, but you get the basic idea.  They were a big hit!

Also, I have been looking at a lot of British wedding sites like RocknRollBride, and OMG I'm Getting Married and the photographers that sponsor their sites are fantastic!  I could look at some of their sites for hours so at some point I am going to make a list of fabulous ones because man they are talented!

Finally, here is a look at where I have been spending a lot of my time.

This is my little corner of the world where my imagination can run wild.  As you can see it is just a table and lots and lots of art materials.

You can see though my little tiny press that I love, some stencils, white cards, and white dry grout I use to make chalk board paint!

I am working so hard on ideas for loveupaperly.  My whole idea of what I wanted the shop to be is changing but things are not ready to be seen yet.

Maybe in a week or so!

So I hope everyone has a great holiday!  Drink and be Merry and safe, and love to you and your family.

Jess

Lovely Sunday Photographs

Every Sunday I am going to publish a pretty photo.  Sunday's are a bit of a conundrum in my world. You know in your head you still have all day until you have to go back to work tomorrow, so that is... lovely.  However, I usually get a case of the Sunday blues.  Sunday blues happen because I know I have to finish everything that I started so excitedly yesterday because I won't have the free time once Monday hits!

So, from this day onward, lovely sunday photographs will happen so that everyone can find  a little beauty in the day and maybe help it will help me beat the Sunday blues.

Below is a photo of the cupcakes I made from scratch for the first time!  The icing didn't work, but they tasted pretty good and sprinkles make everything look delectable.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Love,

Jess