Easy Weekend Project - Mantel Headboard

Ok, so its not quite as easy as the chalkboard...but still very do-able in a weekend.

This mantle headboard is something I did about a year ago. At the suggestion of Heather of Pretty Petals , I've decided to make this the next weekend project.

First, find your mantel (or is it mantle ?). Mine was only 40.00 at a local flea market and was already stripped of most of its peeling paint.

After applying a fresh coat of cottage white paint we were ready to secure it to the wall. We drilled screws into the studs along the outside edge and the upper lip of the opening. It was raised off of the floor about 6 inches to a comfortable height when sitting in bed. (ours is small, but , if your mantle is large or very heavy, its best to use supports under the posts.

Next, a piece of 1/2 inch plywood was cut to fit the opening. I used a spray adhesive to attach a piece of 2" foam and covered that with a piece of muslin and batting.

Now the fun part...picking out your fabric. Mine was originally done in a cabbage rose barkcloth, but, I was ready for a change. So, I recovered it today in another lovely vintage piece from my stash.

Center your design, fold over edges (so you are stapling through a double layer of fabric) and staple to the back. (start in the center of opposite sides and work toward the corners)
To avoid having to screw through the fabric, we simply "wedged" the fabric panel into the mantel opening. We did this by partially inserting 2 screws in the top and 2 directly beneath the panel.

This also makes it much easier to change out the fabric whenever you like.

Easy Weekend Project - Framed Chalkboard

This is the first installment of "Easy Weekend Project". I'll probably start listing these on Friday, though, because it just makes more sense.

I'm also still not sure of the title, that may change if I think of something more clever.

All of my projects are quick and easy because...(1) I live in a very small house and don't have the room to keep a project "set up" for any length of time, (2) time is always a factor, and (3) I'm an ADD crafter. I can be very focused in other areas of my life, but when it comes to crafting, I have the attention span of a 4 year old.

So, here it is... A Framed Chalkboard (told you it would be easy)

You may recognize the frame as the broken one I found in the closet during spring cleaning. See below for the Before Picture. My wonderful husband cut a piece of 1/4" plywood to fit the opening:

Then several light coats of Chalkboard spraypaint. Helpful hints: Wear a latex glove, I still have a black fingernail. And choose your outside location carefully (see photo below).
After the paint has dried, place in frame and secure with picture tacks. Mine was one of those old magazine holders?? that hinged open. But since it was broken, I simply removed the hinges and screwed it closed from the backside. If I need to repaint or if I want to replace the chalkboard with a piece of fabric in the future, its easy enough to undo.To hang, I inserted 2 eye-screws (screws with little circle tops) and I threaded a long, skinny piece of fabric through the holes and tied in a bow.I have mine hanging on the wall of my dining room. My hubby and I can leave each other messages, write our To Do or Grocery list, or display a favorite scripture for the week.

A Cottage Give Away!!!

*** We Have a Winner!!!
This morning a name was picked out of the bowl and our winner is...
(drum roll)....
...Paula of Pink Roses and a Pearl .

Congratulations!!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our giveaway. It has been so much fun and a great way to meet new bloggers. I'm sure we'll be doing this again!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Kimberly :)

What fun! Kim at One Woman's Cottage Life, has organized a blogwide Cottage Charm Give Away Day.

Here at Niesz Vintage Home...and fabric, we will be giving away a package containing vintage floral fabric, trims, buttons, and a vintage paper item. The winner will be able to choose the "Blue Red Yellow" package or the "Pink Yellow" package. All you have to do is leave a comment saying that you would like to be added to the drawing and a winner will be picked on May26th.

*Give away update: Its great to see so many signing up, but I need to be able to contact you. So if you do not have a blog page to post to, or if your profile is not public, please send me your email address through the contact link on the side bar. Thanks!!!

Spring Cleaning

I'm making a clean sweep, literally and figuratively.
A fresh coat of light spring green paint on the living room walls (pictures of that later) inspired the frenzy of activity. Mostly it was thankless work...you know, the stuff nobody notices, like washing curtains or cleaning baseboard moldings and doors...but, it still made me feel good.
(If you really need someone to notice and acknowledge that kind of work, a great trick I learned from a decidedly "non-Martha", is to always use a lemon scented cleaner and put a higher watt bulb in your fixtures. The room looks and smells cleaner even if you didn't do any actual cleaning. LOL)
I also began organizing and pitching clutter. This process, though, lead me to discover that I am the queen of unfinished projects. I wish to abdicate my throne.




I found a pile of fabrics in varying stages of doneness. I think these were going to be totes and make up bags.

And a broken hinged frame with an old scrap of fabric. This poor thing arrived in the mail in pieces (more rantings about the frustrations of buying on ebay later) I was so aggrevated, that I just stuck it in the back of the closet.

However, its the perfect shade of green for my dining room. I already have plans for this one. :)

I have my work cut out for me this week. But I have a bright, lemon-y fresh sewing room to work in.

My First Blog Post

New to the blog scene...this is my very first post.
I'll be sharing pictures of decorating projects, my favorite vintage fabric and flea market finds, and also some fun and easy weekend sewing projects.
I love the casual cottage look and I'm slightly obsessed with vintage fabrics. My shelves are stacked to the ceiling with barkcloth, ticking, and quilting fabrics from the 1930's thru 50's and have an entire website devoted to them.
Niesz Vintage Fabric & Design
www.nieszvintagefabric.com
Stop back soon...I've got a living room make-over going on. :)