Chalkboard Valentines

This weekend we hadn't quite worked up the energy to start mudding the landing area in the attic, but since Grady requested to "create" something, we decided to tackle his Valentines.  Lo & behold...the Valentine's Day message board!

We thought it'd be fun to make chalkboards by slicing up some logs and painting them up for Grady's friends.  No such luck.  We found the "perfect" logs at my parents' house, but after slicing one section off & letting it dry out, we realized that it just wasn't going to work.  So. Many. Cracks.  He sure had fun digging through the wood pile in below zero temps though.  Seriously...when will it warm up?!?  This polar vortex will be the death of me...brrr...grrr...brrr.

The remaining log did make a great stool for Grady to lounge on in the shop though, so it wasn't a total loss.  (How tall does he look here?!?)  He's not a little babe anymore, but he still melts my heart.  Take that polar vortex!

Back up plan...we cut out a bunch of ovals from a few cedar boards my dad had laying around.  They were the perfect size for an avant garde headpiece.  (We watch Project Runway too much.)

Or perhaps a necklace?

Grandpa sanded down the edges for us.  Nice & smooth...

Grady picked out a few "Valentiny" colors of craft paint, & we brushed them on the edges.

I painted one side with chalkboard paint, let it dry overnight, & had my handsome assistant "season" the chalkboard.  He's a pro...& a perfectionist...& loves helping me.  I love him.

Then I doodled around the chalkboard with some white craft paint...they needed some flair.  Does anyone else immediately think of Office Space when they hear that word?  :)

Ooh-la-la!

I'm obsessed with the arrows...we'll be keeping one of them!

We thought the back would be a neat place to write a little message to his friends, so we flipped them over, I left the room,  & Grady decided to surprise me by drawing some circles with a paint marker.  We collaborated with me adding some doodles to his art.  :)

Then we attached some white ribbon with thumbtacks.  Grady's friends can hang them with either side out!

The project took a lot more time than I'd normally spend on Valentines, & we probably won't do anything this elaborate again, but it was a nice way to spend a very COLD weekend indoors.

Anyone else doing fun projects indoors during this frosty winter?

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

Holy Hearts! Our unfussy Valentine's Day craft.

Grandma, Grady & I whipped up a quick little Valentine's Day project this week.

I had a bunch of leftover canvas (duck cloth) from my Pinterest Challenge chalkboard map, so I put my mom & Grady to work painting it in shades of teal, coral, & red.  I didn't give them much direction - just told my mom to have Grady go for it.

After the paint dried, I doodled different sized hearts on it with Sharpies, cut them out, & strung them up with my sewing machine.  I think they turned out pretty darn cute & add a little love-ly charm & color to the house!

{Make sure to scroll to the bottom to see Grady's Valentines too!  He's so proud of them!}

 

 {glow-stick light saber card inspired by this}

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday spent with the people you love most!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy store for more Valentine's goodness!  XOXO