Fall is finally here in Northeast Ohio! My guys took the air conditioners out of the windows yesterday, and we had our first fire of the year in the wood stove. #cozy
Fall crafting is my favorite! When it’s too chilly to be outside, and the sun sets earlier, there is nothing more cozy than a pot of soup simmering on the stove, a cozy fire, and crafts!
This month’s Club Couture transfer is absolutely adorable!
I have to admit at first, when I saw it, I was none too pleased.
First of all I was like, an acorn? Really? Then I thought didn’t read it right because I was pretty sure it said “Happy Holidays”, and I don’t like rolling all of the individual holidays into one big one. That’s just not my thing. Then I realized that it said “Happy Fallidays” and well, I love sayings that play on words. THEN I saw the Chalk Couture’s demonstration video using this transfer:
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻here is the link to that video:
and I knew… I HAD TO CHALK THIS ON MY FRONT DOOR!!!
Yes, you read that right. I chalked this puppy right on to my front glass storm door. And I am telling you, it turned out so stinkin’ cute. The pictures do it no justice, because of the reflection, but I seriously love how it turned out.
And you can bet your sweet bippy that I will be chalking on that door for every holiday!
Here is my demonstration video of this project!
I hope you are enjoying the Fallidays, where ever you are!
I am the kind of crafter who likes to craft for less. Rarely do I pay full price for anything. Repurposing is my specialty, I guess you could say., I love being able to breath new life into something.
My husband and I like to browse the aisles of thrift stores from time to time. He has a great eye for collectibles, and antiques. I have an eye for things that can be repurposed. On our last trip, I found this pair of frames!
Cool, right? I liked how the wood frame was already white and chippy. I didn’t have to do a thing to them, because that was the look I was going for.
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The first thing I did was remove the backing from each frame. Then I cut pieces of chicken wire to fit inside, against the glass. You need a good pair of gloves and wire nippers to do this.
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Then I took the old picture that was in there, it was on a piece of cardboard, and wrapped it in a piece of tea stained muslin.I used double sided tape to make the fabric stick.
*** how to tea stain fabric. In a six quart pan, add about 4 quarts of water, and 12 teabags. Bring the water to a boil, and boil tea bags for about 20 minutes. You want to make a super strong tea. Turn the heat off. Take your piece of fabric and ball it up. You know, like how your husbands “folds” a shirt? Yeah, like that. Immerse it into the tea. I like leaving the tea bags in, because it causes darker stains on some parts of the fabric. Let it soak for at least an hour. Then I like to hang the fabric outside or over a tub, and let the fabric dry naturally***
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So with the frame face down, I put in the chicken wire, next I put in the fabric covered cardboard. I had left in the frame, the little metal tabs that help hold the picture and glass into the frame. So I reused those tabs to keep the chicken wire flat, and and hold the cardboard in.
Then I made a new backing (the old backing was brown paper) out of red checked homespun fabric, which I attached to the frame with staples.
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Flip it over, and here comes the fun part! Chalking on it! 🖤🖤🖤
When I first saw this transfer, I knew this project is what I wanted to do with it!
The majority of my working life, I have worked in customer service. I always admired those ladies, you know the ones, that always have cute shirts for each holiday?
So, when I was in the position to be able to do the same, I started looking for cute shirts! I didn’t want just any old holiday shirt (there are some really awful prints out there!) or just something generic. I found a company that I really liked, and was local to me, and who’s shirts were made in the USA! I love their products and told all my friends about them! However, I still wanted something original!
Hey! I ‘m a crafty chic 🐥, I should be able to come up with something original and cute. Once again Chalk Couture fit the bill!
Using the Chalk Couture Inks, and some super cute transfers, I was able to make t-shirts that I love!
This is how I did it, step by step!
First of all, do you remember that local t-shirt company I mentioned earlier? Well, not only do they have super cute designs, but the shirts themselves are high quality and have a great fit! In addition to printed shirts, they also sell plain shirts! I ordered these to put my designs on. You can find them here! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Also the Chalk Couture Ink! This stuff is amazing! It can be heat set, to make it permanent on fabric, and glass! On this project, I used Bright White, because I thought it complimented the dark gray of the shirt nicely, but, there are many color inks to choose from!
Now this guy here is a super useful accessory that Chalk Couture offers. It is called an Ink Mat. They come in two different sizes to meet your needs. The one I used is 17X17. It keeps the fabric in place, with its super sticky surface. This helps your image come out crisp and clean, with defined edges. You can find them here, through this link 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
I like to clean my transfers immediately, to keep the paste, or in this case ink, from drying in the silk screen.
Then I like to use a hair dryer to dry the ink to keep it from smearing.
Following the same steps, I made another t-shirt. I mean, can you really have too many? 😉
The last step is heat setting. There are a few ways to accomplish this step. On this project I used an iron, on the cotton setting. You could also use a heat press! That awesome thing is on my crafty wish list!
I laid out my project, smoothing it so there are no wrinkles, then laid down a piece of parchment paper on top. With the parchment paper between the hot iron and t-shirt, I moved the iron back and forth, back and forth for four minutes. Moving the iron as not to scorch the project. Then, turning the shirt inside out, I repeat this step. Now the shirt is heat set, and can be washed and dried as normal! 😊
I think you can see why I get so excited when I think of all of the possibilities, that using Chalk Couture can offer! I mean, they are seriously endless! And with each individual’s creative ideas and talents? Wow! It just makes my head spin, to think about!
Are you interested in making your own t-shirts? You can make them for yourself, or even as gifts for your family and friends! Check out my chalk site for all of the supplies, to make your own!
This is a fun and easy craft, using a wood sign that I bought from a craft store, black chalk paint, and a Chalk Couture transfer, and chalk paste.
You can watch the video here:
First I started off with an unfinished wood sign, that i purchased for just a few dollars at a craft store. I painted it with Folk Art Home Decor black chalk paste. After it dried I distressed it by taking sand paper and roughing up the edges, and then taking Folk Art Home Decor wax over it, to give it that distressed look.
When using Chalk Couture transfers with wood surfaces, you need to wax the surface with a paste wax, my favorite is SC Johnson paste wax. The reason for this is so that the really strong adhesive on the back of the transfers does not stick too much to the wood surface, that can ruin the transfer.
Would you like to make your own cute signs? Experienced crafters and amateur crafters alike can use Chalk Couture products to make beautiful signs.
Today we will make a decorated mug with transfers and ink from Chalk Couture!
The mug i bought at Dollar General for $1!
The transfers are reusable and the ink lasts forever! What an inexpensive gift to make that doesn’t look cheap and is super cute!
You could add extras inside the mug, such as tea bags, packets of hot chocolate, or coffee!
The Chalk Couture ink can be heat set for permanent application. For this mug, place it into a cold oven, heat the oven to 350 degrees, allow it to “bake” for 30 minutes, turn off the oven, and leave the mug there to cool down gradually. That’s it! The mug is now dishwasher safe!
The possibilities are endless with these transfers! Decorated mugs make great gifts!
xoxo,
Jenn 🌻
Like 👍🏻 From My Front Porch Looking In on Facebook!
Is it a coincidence that it is also my birthday month? 😂
For me, crafting is much more than just making something. Being a crafter in my family is generational. Here in the Appalachian region, there are so many talented craftsman, makers, artisans… Creatives.
The Merriam-Webster’s definition of craftsman is 1: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft 2: one who creates or performs with skill or dexterity in the manual arts.
In my family we have, or have had, sewers, crocheters, woodworkers, painters, scrimshawers, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, embroiders, silversmiths, musicians, I could go on. The bottom line is that throughout the generations the ability to work with our hands has been passed down. I love that! ❤️
Like I said earlier, crafting for me, is much more than making something. There is a therapeutic aspect to it too. For example, I quit smoking 13 years ago, that was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had to keep my hands busy. So, I learned to crochet! Between a friend of mine, and my grandmother, I learned how! I must of crocheted miles and miles of chain. I chained an entire skein of yellow yarn, before I made my first project, a dishcloth. Keeping my hands busy kept me from thinking about just how bad I wanted to smoke.
Over the years I have learned how to make many things.
I love to craft on a budget. I never pay full price for craft supplies, and I use coupons. I also love to repurpose things!
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This is soooo me! 😂😂😂
Here are a few things I have repurposed…
This is old fencing that we found while driving around, and someone wanted to get rid of it. That fence made quite a few American flags, and stars, which I later sold at craft shows! 🇺🇸❤️💙
This is an old window that my husband and I found at our local Re-Store for $3.
This is a cabinet that was my Nana’s that had Lighthouses painted on it. It got this teal blue makeover, and I sold it at a craft shop!
Arts and crafts are so much more than crayons, and a glue gun. For some people it is a way to make a living, for others it is a side hustle as a way to make extra money for their families. For most who are makers, it is just a way of life. A way to make something from nothing, a way to leave their mark on the world. Something to pass down to the generations that follow.
This is a stitchery my momma made for me. She also sewed old buttons on it that were my grandmother’s. This is is the stuff of my heart. One of my most prized possessions. ❤️
So I guess technically March is National Craft Month, but for me, it is always time to get your craft on!
The answer is… Absolutely yes! In the time between ordering my kit, and receiving it, which was about 7 days, I watched many, many online videos, there are a ton of them out there! Every single one made it look so easy. Just peal, fuzz, and place the transfer. Then apply the chalk paste, squeegee it off, peel the transfer off, and then tahh dahh! Just like magic, right?
I was skeptical, and just so excited to try it! My first project turned out just like videos! I just used white chalk paste on a black board to start with.
Since then, I have experimented with different colors and surfaces. I have definitely made some mistakes. The great thing about the chalk paste is that you just wipe it off with water!
My sister came over yesterday for a coffee/craft day because #dunkinfirst and to make something for her “soon to be” baby boy’s (who we lovingly call Poppy 💙) nursery. She had never done Chalk Couture before, just listened to me endlessly talk about it. So, she chose her surface, chose her transfer and chalk colors, and then got to work. I helped coach her, but she did this all by herself!
First, she fuzzed her transfer.
Then she applied the transfer to the surface she chose, which is a 9×12 white washed pallet board that Chalk Couture carries. Next, she applied the chalk paste. She chose Stormy Gray, and Bumblebee.
Then voila! She pealed off the transfer!
And this is the finished project! Because we wanted the design to stay on the board, I shot the surface with clear spray paint.
This will be such a cute addition to Poppy’s nursery!
You may have heard of Chalk Couture before. Up until literally a month ago today, I had not. I don’t think I have ever been this excited about a craft line of products!
Chalk Couture has everything that I love about crafting. It’s super easy, and super fast. You do not need to be a professional sign maker to make beautiful signs and home decor with Chalk Couture products. Plus, you do not need a ton of time to make things with Chalk Couture. I, for one, have zero patience with long term projects. Which is kind of funny, since I used to crochet, and make stuffed animals and blankets as gifts, and items to sell at craft shows! Crocheting is a long tedious process! 😂
Now, when I craft something, I want fast results.
Originally, I wanted to sign up with this company because, with their products you can design and make items that you can then sell at craft shows, or even online stores like Etsy.
For years, as a stay at home mom of two boys, I would craft things and sell them at local craft shows, and consignment shops, and even Etsy, just for a little extra side money. After the boys were in school, I started to work a part time job, and eventually got away from selling my craft items, except mabe some special orders here and there.
Now, I work full time, but with our oldest away at college, and our youngest a junior in high school, and pretty much self sufficient (aka doesn’t need momma for much anymore) I found myself wanting (no, needing) to get crafty again, and selling things, because hey! a little extra money is always a GOOD thing! So began my search.
I knew I wanted something new, and also inexpensive. My husband and I really considered getting in to vinyl, and investing in a vinyl cutting machine. But, that it was SO expensive to get started, with the cost of the machine, computer, programs and all of the supplies. Plus, what if I ended up not liking it? I have never done it before, so I really don’t know. Also, there are also SO many people who make awesome things with vinyl now days.
At the same time, I really like sign making. I can hand letter on things, but it takes a lot of time, and with working full time, I don’t always have that.
So you can imagine my frustration. Trying to find something unique, that not everyone does. Something that looks great, and professionally done, but also doesn’t take a ton of time. And for me, it had to be inexpensive, and fairly easy. When I came across Chalk Couture on a blog that I follow, I knew I had found it!
photo credit: Gina Luker
Chalk Couture is a company out of Utah, that sells chalk paste, chalk boards, and transfers (think of them as stencils) that allow you to create beautiful, unique home decor.
Let’s walk through the products!
The transfers, are made of silk screen, and are reusable. There are so many designs, and Chalk Couture just released their spring line. Transfers have a sticky back, and with proper care can be used over and over again.
The Chalkology Paste, is chalk in a liquid form. It is not chalk paint. It comes in many colors. The colors are vibrant and beautiful! My favorite is the couture teal, which is Chalk Couture’s signature color. The paste stays on the surface, without rubbing off, but also can be removed with water. When using chalk paste, a little goes a long way, so the 3 oz. jar lasts a long time!
Chalk paste can be used on all kinds of surfaces. Some surfaces may require some prep work. Wood, for example, has to be waxed before applying a transfer. Waxing helps to adhere the paste to the wood surface, but also protects your transfer.
The most popular surface is of course chalk board! Chalk Couture offers all kinds of beautiful surfaces from wood to chalk boards, that come in many shapes and sizes! They also offer chalk boards that are magnetic. If you decide that you love the design that you made and want to make it permanent, you can do that with a quick coat of clear spray paint!
Like I said earlier, I originally was interested in this company because I wanted to make things with the Chalk Couture products and sell them. Chalk Couture allows you to do this on third party sites like Etsy, or at craft fairs or consignment shops.
Chalk Couture is a direct sales company like Avon, or Thirty One. That may have been the only draw back to me at first. I am just not in to at home parties (I never have been) or the high pressure sales tactics of a lot of these companies, that add you to sales groups on FB without asking you first and then inundating your news feed with their products and pushy sales tactics.
The difference with Chalk Couture is they give you three ways of making money by using their products. You can use one, two, or all three.
#1 You can sell their products.
#2 You can host Make and Take Parties (either in person or online)
#3 You can make items and sell them.
I signed up for a $99 starter kit, that had a ton of items it, here is some pics of my unboxing…
Now, just to be clear. You DO NOT have to sign up with Chalk Couture and be an Independent Designer. You can shop in the online store, so that you can make your own beautiful home decor items, for yourself, or to give away as gifts. You do not have to want to make money at it, you can just want to make beautiful and original pieces of artwork, that fit your taste and design style! That is what is so great about Chalk Couture! It is so versatile, and if you give 100 people the same transfer, they will come up with 100 different ways to use it to make original pieces of art! ❤️
But, for me, signing up for a starter kit and as an Independent Designer allows me a 40% discount of all Chalk Couture products. Like I said earlier, I wanted an inexpensive start up cost. As an Independent Designer I also have my own Chalk Couture online store…
So I hope that explains it! If you know me, and even if you don’t, I am not the kind of person who gets excited about just anything. I also am not going to recommend something unless I have tried it and love it enough to tell someone about it! Chalk Couture is fun, and easy, and you can make beautiful home decor that you can…
Design. Love. Repeat.
Here are a few finished products that I have personally made!
If you think that you might like to make your own beautiful chalked home decor, or you would like to sign up with Chalk Couture as an Independent Designer, and get that fab 40% discount so you can make your own creations and sell them, you can go to…
I like to craft. I love to craft on a budget. I also like easy and fast. This reverse canvas project fits all of those categories. Plus, they can be used for so many things! If you are a sign maker, they can easily be used to hand letter on, or stencil. Me, liking fast and easy, but also super cute, I am going to use them for Chalk Couture surfaces. That project will be for a later blog post. Today I am going to show you just how fast and easy, and cheap this project is!
First off I started with a 10 pack of 10×10 canvases. Jo-Ann Fabrics, my favorite craft store, had them on sale for $14.99, they had been $24.99. PLUS yesterday, when I bought them, they had a 25% off your total purchase coupon in the app. If you don’t already have the Jo-Ann’s app, I highly suggest it for the coupons! That made each canvas approximately $1.12! SCORE!!!
The first step is to turn over the canvas and remove the staples. I first pried them up, and then finished removing them with pliers.
Then you take the canvas off of the frame. It is surprising how cute the frame is underneath!
Then I took a pencil and traced on the canvas around the frame, this is where I will cut the canvas to fit the frame.
Now, when using the canvas you can use the “right” side, which is primed white, or you can use the other side which unfinished is an off white, sort of muslin color. That just depends on your preference on how you want your finished project to look like.
Also, you can leave the frame natural, stain it, or paint it! I used black chalk paint, distressed the frame with sand paper, and then went over it with an antiquing finishing wax.
After you have finished your frame, you can simply reattach the canvas to the back of the frame with a staple gun. You may have to do some more trimming with your scissors. Now you can use the canvas for whatever you like!
This is a fun, inexpensive way to create a surface for all types of crafts. It would be great for paint and sip classes, or even Jr. Church/VBS!
If you don’t have a lot of time on your Sunday, but you are in the mood to make something cute, Chalk Couture may just be for you. They have stylish boards and the sweetest transfers. You can change up your boards with different transfers, or make them permanent if you’d like, with just a coating of clear spray paint!
Today I used the “Oh Snap!” transfer and put it on the 9×12 Aiden Style White Framed Board. I love this style board, because it is not only chalkboard, but also magnetic! It comes in three sizes too.
This project took less than an hour from set up, to clean up.
Materials List:
Aiden Style White Framed Board 9×12
Chalk Paste in Bright White, and Couture Teal
Small squeegee
Towel (for fuzzing transfer)
Scissors
Popsicle sticks
Clorox wipes
On your seasoned chalkboard you want to place your transfers, the transfers have cut lines to easily separate the different transfers from each other. After you cut your transfer, and before you place your transfer where you want on your board, you need to “fuzz” the back of your transfer. Chalk Couture transfers are extremely sticky on the back, so to keep them from permanently adhering to your surface (or themselves) you’ll want to fuzz them. Which just means once you peel the backing from your transfer, smooth it onto a towel. You’ll want to do this 2 or three times.
Once you place the transfer on your board, you’ll want to run your finger along the transfer over and over again to make sure it is smooth, and there are no bubbles.
Now you are ready to apply the chalk paste! This stuff is so cool to use! You’ll want to give it a good stir with a popsicle stick, the consistency should be that of Greek yogurt, thick and creamy. If it is on a bit of the thicker side you can squirt one to two sprays of water into the paste and stir it in well. Then take a bit of paste with the stick and apply it to your transfer. This is a very forgiving process. You can add more if you need it or take some off if it’s too much, and put it back in the pot.
Once you have the paste on the transfer, spread it across the transfer with the squeegee, making sure it is completely covered. Adding more paste, or scraping the paste away as needed.
The next step is to remove the transfer and clean it as soon as possible, before it starts to dry. When peeling the transfer from the surface, make sure you are pulling from the edge, and not the corner. Pulling from the corners will stretch out, and misshapen your transfer. Then simply wipe the transfer with a Clorox wipe! Wipe the paste from your tools as well! When taken care of properly the transfers can be used over and over again. Once the transfer is dry, you can simply apply the backing on it, and it is ready for your next project!
What is great about the paste is, it will not come off of the board, unless you wipe it off with a wet cloth.
And ta-daaah!!! There you have a cute chalk board, with a cute design! What I really love about this is, if you gave the same materials and transfer to 100 different people, you would have 100 different designs! It is all about your style and your vision!
And you can bet your sweet bippy that I will be chalking on that door for every holiday!
I love to craft on a budget. I never pay full price for craft supplies, and I use coupons. I also love to repurpose things!
Next, she applied the chalk paste. She chose Stormy Gray, and Bumblebee. 
photo credit: Gina Luker
The transfers, are made of silk screen, and are reusable. There are so many designs, and Chalk Couture just released their spring line. Transfers have a sticky back, and with proper care can be used over and over again.
When taken care of properly the transfers can be used over and over again. Once the transfer is dry, you can simply apply the backing on it, and it is ready for your next project!
From My Front Porch Looking In 