thrift store renovation

**I added this post to Shanty 2 Chic's Rustoleum Revamp Party***

So, again my newly inspired DIY thoughts (due to the GREAT blogs I have been reading) I went to the local thrift store on a mission!! I wanted to do another chalkboard project but this time I had my kitchen in mind. I headed to the thrift store in search of an framed piece of art that was in need of some TLC to take it from fugly to fabulous! The store had a ton of great frames but I finally spotted one that I knew I could bump up into a whole new dimension of fabulous!

I will admit that people gave me some funny looks as they saw me snatch up the ugly beat up piece of artwork, and I don't blame them. It didn't EXACTLY fit the style that I give off, but if only they knew what I had in mind for this baby!!

What I loved about it was the gorgeous details and style of the frame. Now, please don't judge me for painting over a piece of artwork that contains Jesus. I found it a bit ironic myself but I know the Lord wants me to be happy!! LOL :) So, I snatched this frame for a deal at $16 and went to Home Depot and got two spray paint cans and some sand paper and went to town!! First, I lightly sanded the frame to get the varnish off, and to make sure that spray paint would stick nicely.

After I sanded I made sure to clean off all the frame so they weren't any dust remains any where on the frame so it wouldn't be a messy paint job, now it's ready to paint!!!!!!

The color I picked for this project was GLOSS apple red. My 1/2 bathroom downstairs is red (and please no paint jokes if you have BEEN in that bathroom...yes I know it needs some touch ups, STILL!! haha :D) and I also picked this color because I thought it would give some spice to my kitchen, and eventually I want to get some red toile curtains/pillows in my dining room/living room area so the color will flow well with the downstairs flow.

I used the whole can and did a couple coats front and back. Again, super simple and easy to use and it dries fairly quickly. I had the whole back and front of the frame done by last night, and then I let it dry overnight so that I could cover the painting with the chalkboard paint today. I also painted over the actual painting with the red coat as well, simply because I didn't want to cover it up, but also to kind of layer it before I used the chalkboard paint. I used the same chalkboard paint as I did with my laundry room re-do, and the same method. I taped up the edges of the frame (again another good reason that I let it dry overnight) and then did 6 coats of chalkboard paint.

After the 6 coats dried, I took the tape off, and it looked a little something like this. (Sorry, the top of the frame got cut off)

Again, I got a little bit of leakage through the tape on the bottom corners, but that's no big deal. I am going to have to get another can of spray paint to touch it up, but for now I am in love!!!!!! I love the glossy finish of the apple red and I seriously cannot believe this is the same ugly painting that I picked up less than 24 hours ago. It's amazing what you can make if you just see the potential in it!!

I decided to hang this baby up above my sink where I previously had a french memo board. I love pictures (which if you know me well enough you are aware) and I just have SO many all over my house which is a GREAT thing but I am looking to de-personalize and add a bit more classic style to the house.

So now, my kitchen sink area looks like this!!!

I love, love, love it!!!! I haven't added a saying to it yes, as the paint hasn't dried for a full 24 hours but I just couldn't wait to hang it up in my kitchen!! It really sticks out against my white walls, but like I have said a million times, my home is still a work in progress!!!

So, tell me your thoughts! You can leave comments even if you don't have a blogger account and if you look you better tell me what you think! I don't think it's a bad project renovation for under $30 especially since it looks like it's worth WAY more than that!! I think I am becoming a DIY kind of gal...this stuff is addicting! Adding cute pieces to your house on the cheap, there is nothing like it!!!!!!!!!!! :)

lots of love from me to you!