The $3 Frame Gets a Makeover

It's Ten on the 10th again and I'd like to thank Carol from Blue Sky at Home for hosting.  This month we are talking about yard sales and this frame was a great find.  I paid $3 and knew exactly what I was going to do with it.  The goal was to spend little to no money, and  I can honestly tell you, I  succeeded!
The details were lovely and the actual frame was large and light.  At 3 feet tall, I expected it to be heavy, but it was light as a feather.
It also contained a lovely painting, not my style, but it was well-done.
The first thing I did was remove the painting.  It was a thin piece of luan held in place by a few finishing nails.  It wasn't the best piece of wood, but I had plans for it.  So I set it aside and grabbed my jar of Peacock chalk paint.
After two coats, it was already looking better!
Here's a close-up:
I did some distressing with 220 grit sandpaper and sealed the entire frame with a clear spray.
Now, what to do about that painting.....I kept it of course!  I simply turned it over, sprayed some primer on it and then gave it a few coats of chalkboard paint. It was 'seasoned' with chalk and it was time to write on it.
You can see from this close-up the wood has a noticeable grain to it.  I thought about buying a better piece of luan and cutting it to fit, but, I wanted this to be a bargain, so I kept it.  I can always change my mind at a later date, right? 
The back of the frame had hardware for picture-hanging wire, so I grabbed a piece and added it.
And, as you can see, the lady is still there - on the back.
So, what did I do with my new chalkboard?  I used it for inspiration in my Craft Room!
I can't tell you how many tries it took me to get the lettering (relatively) straight!  Even as a teacher, I couldn't write on the board without my writing going up or down hill - lines on the board were my saving grace.  After being retired for a few years, it's worse than ever.  I can honestly say, the writing was the most challenging part of this makeover!
   
The entire project came in at under $9.  
Frame:                 $3.00
Chalk paint           1.62  I still have half the jar left!
Chalkboard paint 3.98
Total:                   $8.60   

I already had the primer, picture wire, and clear spray. 
This is Ten on the 10th so you must visit my fellow bloggers to see their yard sale finds.  Everyone is linked below:


Carol at Bluesky at Home
Patricia at Pandora's Box
Tammy at Patina and Paint
Susan at Homeroad


I hope you'll pin, share, comment, and follow.  If you click on those 3 little lines at the top left of the blog, you'll see where to find me...or click on the icon below to share.

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Comments

  1. I love this idea!! I can imagine it being a great housewarming gift, too!! Clever!!

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    1. A housewarming gift is a great idea, Patti. Thanks!

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  2. I LOVE this frame! What a find for $3. The peacock paint color is perfect!

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    1. Thanks, Tammy. I've really found some great deals this yard sale season.

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  3. I found a very similar sign on the side of the road, painted it the same color and made it a chalkboard! Brilliant minds think alike! LOL Great job!

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    1. I remember yours, Susan. At the time of your post I had just finished this one and commented that I painted it a similar color. I was saving it for this month's hop. Yes, Great Minds!

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  4. Ann what a beautiful piece to hang in your craft room. I love the coloring and the inspiration you provided here on your blog. LOVE IT! I am going to look for me something like this to do exactly what you did. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I'm always happy to inspire, Terrie. I love the color blue, especially this shade. I will be looking for your project!

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    2. Yes, That wood grain shows this is mahogany and it looks antique. If so, you just destroyed something valuable and beautiful by painting it. What a shame...

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    3. I understand your concern but if you read the post carefully, this frame is large and light as a feather. If the wood truly was mahogany, it would have been much heavier. Rest assured, nothing valuable was destroyed.

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  5. Oh I just love this color!! It's so bright and cheerful.

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  6. That is funny. I had terrible handwriting on the board. I love your project, though. Cute, cute. Your handwriting looks pretty good to me. I love that the chalkboard is subtle.

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    1. I taught mostly primary grades, but the uphill/downhill thing? Thank heavens for lines on the board! Lol
      You're right, the chalkboard is subtle, Katie. Now that you say that, I think that's why I kept it.

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  7. That will make a big impact! Great job and so cute!

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. It's the first thing I see when I walk in my craft room!

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  8. What a fantastic upcycle! The peacock blue is such a delicious color. And I didn’t realize there was such a thing as chalkboard paint. Awesome!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. I really love the peacock blue too - one of my favorites! Chalkboard paint is great stuff, you can buy it in a jar or spray can. It has lots of possibilities.
      I'm so glad you stopped by, I hope you'll stop back again soon!

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  9. Ann, the picture frame was a great find for the price. Love the carved designs. Making it into a chalkboard was such a smart idea and reusing the back of the picture was a great decision. I know what you mean about getting your letters straight!!

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    1. The hardest part was trying to get those letters straight! Thanks, Carol!

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  10. Wow, that's really impressive. I can't believe you did that all for so little money!
    #littlecottagelinkparty

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    1. I always try to spend as little as possible, Jennifer. Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. I love this, so vibrant and fun! and you saw a great transformation in that slightly offbeat piece of artwork. such a great color that really stands out. thanks so much for joining in for our first Link Party!

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    1. Thank you, Debra. I always look for something unusual when I am at a sale. This one did not disappoint!

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  12. What fun idea! Have some chalk paint laying around, I should start using it!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. You definitely should! Thank you for stopping by.

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  13. Ann,
    Great job! Love it!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  14. This is so beautiful. I love finding old frames and updating them.

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    1. Thank you, Sylvia. As soon as I saw it laying on a table, I knew what I wanted to do with it.
      I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  15. What a beautiful makeover, love the color and functionality. Thanks for sharing with To Grandma's House We Go, I'll be featuring you next week.

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    1. Thank you, Chas. I'm excited to have my frame makeover featured!
      You made my day....

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  16. You did a great job on that makeover! What a pretty frame.

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    1. Thank you so much. The frame had great bones so it was easy to make it pretty!

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  17. Great makeover and nice, easy, clear tutorial!

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  18. Love doing frame makeovers! Thanks for sharing this one at Tuesday Turn About, Ann!

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    1. So glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by, Julie!

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  19. Fabulous upcycle, Ann. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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  20. Very cute! Love the message...I need to remind myself too :) Thanks for sharing on Farm Fresh Tuesdays!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. It's the first thing I see when I walk in my craft room!

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  21. This is a great makeover, it looks totally different. I love that you kept the old painting though, it is lovely but not my taste either.

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    1. Thank you, Julie. I know what you mean, there's just something about that old painting....

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