Waiting for Inspiration
April 15, 2013 | My Jottings
We finished painting our new black chalkboard wall in the dining room a couple of days ago and it had to sit to “cure” for awhile. Then I had to cover the whole surface with chalk and erase it, to “season” it. (You’d think I was talking about pork or something.) Then I had to sneeze seventeen times because we had chalk dust in the air, but now it has settled nicely on every surface in the house. Then I had to wipe the wall down with a barely damp cloth.
You can click on these pictures to enlarge them if you like. This view above is taken from our kitchen. I drew a frame of sorts on the chalkboard wall, and am now waiting for inspiration to strike. I can foresee that we’ll have favorite sayings and quotes, scripture verses, menus, welcome notes for guests, and just general doodling on this wall. To the right where it wraps around I’ve started a grocery list.
The oak deacon’s bench with the pillows on it was a Christmas gift from Michael many years ago. It’s an antique, and I’ve always loved it. When we moved into this smaller house last summer, I wasn’t sure where we could put this bench, since it doesn’t fit in the living room. I put it against this wall in the dining room, and even though it’s not the best placement, it has been practical. When the whole family is over for a birthday or Thanksgiving, we seat three little children on that deacon’s bench, with a table in front of them.
That’s Mildred on the back of the living room couch, watching vigilantly for any tiny movement outside that would cause her to Schnauzer-shriek at squirrels, mailmen, walkers, or dried leaves lifted by the wind.
Our dining room is very bright, with three huge windows that look out over the front deck toward Lake Superior. The sun rises at the left of the room and passes over the front during the day, then sets to the far right of the room, so we are never without bright light in this part of the house.
Except when it’s the dead of night. Then there is no bright sunlight in the house.
Duh.
Anyway, painting one small section of wall such a dark color hasn’t affected the cheeriness of the room at all.
I’ll post a photo when I decide what to write on our wall. 🙂
I hope you all have a good week!
Just finished reading through all the links you posted two days ago & here you’ve finished painting/chalkboarding a wall & posting about that already!
What Vitamins do you take?.. that’s what I want to know!
I wish your girls lived closer …sure could use their services. I cut a couple spring flowers and plopped them in a vase haphazardly… I don’t even know their names (don’t tell Sarah)… I have a swatch of yarn from Walmart I’ve been trying to knit into a scarf & pulled out about 10 times (even after watching that knitting link… definitely do NOT tell Sharon!) & my make up is Maybelline & I think it’s probably three or four years old! (Pleeeeesssseee don’t mention this to Carolyn!)
I’m definitely having a “doldrums” day and I’m still in my PJs…working on changing into my yoga pants so I can get some things done 2day finally 🙂
(but making my own taco shells is not going to be one of them!) I really am exhausted from waking up so early this past week because this bird keeps singing sooooo loud outside my window …at least I now know what it is …. a cardinal!
Favorite links? I don’t have time 4 for any after checking out yours!
Ha! But….. if I only could read one-a-day it would be “Just Julie”….
Love u…. 🙂
Yours is the first email/comment of the day I read, Linda, and it made me happy. You have a great (and clever) sense of humor! Thank you for brightening my day. I give thanks to the Lord for you today, dear friend. xxoo
I REALLY like this, Julie! What a fun and clever idea.
LY
K
Thank you so much Kay! Enjoy some time off today… 🙂 xxoo
You did an excellent job Julie – it looks great!
Thank you for saying so, Helen! xo
I love this!!!!
Thank you Jessica! xo
The wall looks great, Julie ~ & I will be very interested to see what you write on it. 🙂
Any ideas on what to write, friend? xo
I love your Wall!! Do you hire out your services? It is making me want to find a wall in my home to paint with chalkboard paint. Where was this paint when I needed to leave my children “to do” lists, I ask you? My sister has alphabet blocks on her bakers rack that get changed often into sayings that make us laugh our socks off! Enjoy your new artwork and post some of your favorite sayings! Much love to you, Sue
Sue, I have thought the same thing. Had I know about this when my kids were growing up, I would have found a wall! I used Benjamin Moore chalkboard paint and it was good to work with. That brand is nice because you can have any color chalkboard paint you want. I think I would have liked your sister’s blocks too. 🙂 Love to you dear Sue…. xxoo
Inspired, I say! Well done! Looks fab too. xxx
Thank you so much Ember! xo
Love your “chalkwall”, Julie! …and the border you drew is so pretty 🙂
I would love some of your artwork on it, Shari. 🙂