Spring Break is Here!!!

Well, the kids are out for the week.  It is my chance to learn something new.  I am trying my hand at DIY chalk paint.  We are building a new house soon and I am ready.  This project is a new headboard for our bedroom.

This is our room now.  I have had this old plastic wood looking headboard since I was in jr. high.  It worked well when it was just me, but husband sleeps up against it and it squeaks all night.  It has to go.  As for the picture up above my bed, that was my grandma Millie's picture.  I inherited it when she passed away.  This is the only wall in the house big enough for the picture to hang.  I have got to find a home for it.  

This is the little servant's house behind the old house we currently live in.  It makes a great storage shed.  I took the door from the bedroom and I am using it as the inspiration for this new headboard.

The old door was dirty and the paint was peeling badly.  I washed it up and used my power sander to clean it up.

My adventure to Lowe's was fun yesterday.   I was able to pick up a quart of Valspar interior satin paint in a light teal color.

I was also able to get plaster of paris and the empty paint can on the right.  To make the chalk paint:

Add 2 Tablespoons of warm water into 4 Tablespoons of plaster of paris and stir until smooth.  Then add the plaster of paris mixture into 2 cups of Valspar paint and mix.  I dumped the finished chalk paint into the can for further use.

I was able to steer myself away from buying the bargain brushes.  It was worth buying a good brush for this project.  I painted one coat of chalk paint to each side of the door and let dry 2 hours before flipping. It looked best to paint in the same direction the whole time. I also painted a 1x3 board.  This 1x3 will become the legs of the headboard later.

After the headboard was painted and nailed together.  I added a piece of trip board to the front.  I then rubbed stain on to the door.   After a few hours I went back and rubbed clear wax over the entire project.

Here is the finished project.  Our new house will be finished in a few months.  When we move I will raise the headboard up higher and get a new blanket.   I cannot wait.

Here is a dresser I bought at a garage sale for $10.  I used the same techniques on it.

I even painted some lamps I found at the dollar store to match.  I just cannot find the right shade.  Oh, well, that just gives me another project.