Friday, October 22, 2010

Le Bistro Board

I love hitting the thrift stores. It is seriously therapy for me. I love the thrill of a find and you never know what will turn up.  But one thing we are sorely lacking in the Pacific Northwest are good flea markets.  I see all the blog posts about the great finds on the east coast and I am so jealous!!  Oh well,  c'est la vie!

This week I found a couple of great little items at the Goodwill outlet. A really beautiful ornate frame and this funky little chalkboard. It definitely has seen better days. It was dinged up and scratched but I could see the potential.



When I got it home and took it apart I discovered it was a magnetic chalkboard.  Love it!  I gave the wood frame a few coats of satin black spray paint.  I love the Krylon paint.  It goes on so smooth.  Then I got my trusty Rustoleum Chalkboard paint and redid the board.

Next was a visit to one of my favorite spots for inspiration~  the  Graphics Fairy.  She has the most wonderful collection of free vintage clip art.  Search 'French' and you'll find 150+ images!  I found this lovely graphic:



I also played around a bit and came up with my own design in MS DIP.  So what do you think?  Is the Graphic Fairy image to busy?  How about my design?  I love them both and just can't decide.





Thanks for visiting and let me know what you think!  Linking up to the parties below!



Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special





UndertheTableandDreaming






Photobucket



10 comments:

  1. Good morning Renee, Saturday and raining here in Roseville....I like both ideas also....Your idea is simpler and easier to read....how about adding some kind of border around it , thin or thick line, or scroll, or fleur- de- lis in the corners .....I think something simple like that would finish your look...=] Love what you are doing....Paula

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  2. OOPS, just realized you had a fleur-de-lis already on it...so maybe adding more of those would be over doing it.....I know you will think of something good! ped

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  3. Hi Renee, Great find and great eye! I love the Graphic Fairy's image....I'm planning to pay her a visit when I leave here ;) But for your board, I really like what you did. I don't think it needs anything extra. It's crisp, graphic, and definitely Parisian! What more can you ask??? By the way, I'm with you on wishing there were more large flea markets my way. The closest big one to here is Brimfield....probably about the same distance from me as Alameda is from you. Thank goodness for Goodwill!

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  4. Loving your chalkboard Renee! My pick, board #2, although I do love both but maybe prefer the less busy option. Happy weekend!

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  5. i vote for #2! you did a great job!

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  6. Hey girly!! I'm sooo excited we found each others blog! I'm loving yours! :D I can't decide on these designs, they both look amazing, but I think I'd go with #2 as well! It's just beautiful either way :) Thank you oh so much for linking it up at my party! Have a great week and chat soon!
    Hugs,
    ~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

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  7. We don't have any good flea markets where I live either. It's a bummer. I love your magnetc board!! I really like both images from Graphics Fairy. I can't decide which one I like best either!!

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  8. I love your board. Great change up!

    Paryting with you tonight.

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  9. Hi Renee-

    Your board looks like it came right form the pages of Ballard Designs. Waht a super transforamtion.
    My best- Diane

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