Chalk Talk

As mentioned in the last post, a recent trip to the ReStore got us this never-used cabinet door for $7.

And now it looks like this.

I purchased Rust-oleum's magnetic paint and chalkboard paint at Home Depot and went to town.

Now we have a sizable and useful piece in our kitchen.

The kids love it and actually read what's written. We've used it for love notes, special reminders and to do lists. If it weren't for the chalk dust it would be my favorite accessory in the whole house.

Excuse me, I need to go write "sweep the floor" on my new chalkboard.


Disclaimer:  Please ignore the uneven edges of the white "matte." Due to the texurized nature of the specialty paint, the painter's tape allowed feathering. I plan to re-tape and caulk the tape edge before giving it a final coat. Someday.

Bathing Beauties

Last year our school's wonderful 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. F., happened to mention she'd always wanted a clawfoot tub in her classroom. I was bemused, befuddled and bewildered.

Turns out she wanted this tub to be a reading spot for her kiddos.

Well, if that didn't sound like an interesting challenge I don't know what would!

So unbeknownst to her we spent the next few months scrounging Craigslist in search of a tub.

We found many. All either too expensive ($600?), too gross (someone actually bathed in there?) or needing too much work (reglazing was not an option).

At one point we'd spoken with a lady in Toledo who said we could have one for a reasonable price if we removed it ourselves from her 2nd story bathroom. The catch - we had to wait a month till they were ready to remodel.

No problem. I informed the teacher and we got a group of strong folks who'd drive the hour+ to Toledo to fetch the thing.

Fast forward 2 months with no word from the seller. Turns out they decided to wait at least a year to remodel.

Square one. But Craigslist always comes through. We finally found a couple nearby who'd sell us a claw foot, cast iron tub for $100.

SOLD! All it needed was some elbow grease and fun paint.

And when I informed the couple what was in store for the tub, they dropped the price to $50! Turns out the lady had a jr. high teacher with the same inspiration as Mrs. F.

So the 3rd grade classroom now has a tub worthy of a nap, a good book or a Kindle.

Thank you, Craigslist!