Interchangeable Chalkboard frame {up-cycle with stencils}

I *love* a good up-cycle, and one of my most favorite things to rescue are ugly thrift store frames.  Using stencils (like the ones I used from Handmade Charlotte stencils) is another one of my most favorite ways to craft!  You wouldn’t have guessed that just a few days ago this cute chalkboard frame:

looked like this:

It just needed some love!  I followed the typical DIY process:

and I used Folk Art’s awesome chalkboard paint for my frame.  I taped because I wanted to add some visual interest on the inside of the big frame and leave it transparent.  I’m so glad I did this, because I  love how it turned out!

Now comes the fun part- I got to use these adorable stencils from Plaid and Handmade Charlotte.

I got the “frames” package, and I knew I wanted to do smaller frames within this bigger frame.  I laid out the stencils & figured out what the best arrangement would be with the size of my frame.  I loved the “scrolly” frames the best, so I used more of those.

I punched out the stencils and filled them in with white paint:

I edited some of our favorite pictures so they were black & white to fit the theme of the frame.  I also knew I wanted to use an ultrasound picture, and that’s black & white too   I cut the pictures out to fit the frames, and attached them with double-sided tape (so they’re totally temporary & can be easily switched out!)

I wanted the pictures to be easily switched, and I thought it would be fun to add some chalk marker to the board to add some whimsical captions to the photos:

Now we have a totally interchangeable frame – you KNOW the baby will be filling up those picture frames this fall!!    In the meantime, our “fur baby” will continue to photobomb my photo sessions:

I didn’t hang up our frame because we’re now in a total stage of transition because we’re going to be moving shortly!  But I can’t wait to find a space for this in our new home!

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I wrote this post as part of a sponsored campaign with Plaid and The Blueprint Social. All opinions in this post are my own.

 

Check out all of the other projects using Plaid’s products from other talented bloggers!