DIY Project: Party Chalk Wine Glasses

Have you ever had people over to your house and gotten your wine glasses mixed up? You set your glass down, walk around (do a lap or two, maybe bust a move) and then when you come back you don't know if the glass to your right is yours or the person standing next to you. This happens to me ALL of the time. It doesn't help that I hate germs (cooties - sick!).

I've seen this idea of a couple of different places (mostly Pinterest) and have really been wanting to try it out. I had some free time this weekend so I decided it was finally time to get down and dirty with some chalk board paint and wine glasses. It took a couple of hours, but will take more time if you use my advice below and do multiple coats. The best part of this is that you get the fun of decorating and you always know which glass is yours (Winning). I tested the process out with wine glasses from the 99 cent store (yes, they are plastic) but you can also do this to nicer glasses, which I will eventually do.

What you will need:

* Set of wine glasses
* Chalk board paint (can be found at Lowe's - Roughly $15 for a quart)
* Painters tape (also Lowe's or any hardware store)
* Paint brush
* Chalk (I only used white, but colored chalk would be fab too)

I also bought some paint crystals to put into my paint to make some of them sparkle! I haven't decided if I like the plain or the sparkled ones better.

Step 1: Make sure that you have newspaper or something under your glasses before you begin so that paint doesn't get onto the surface you are painting on. Begin by wrapping the painter's tape around the mid-point of the stem of the glasses.

Step 2: Paint the bottom half of the glasses. There is a fine line between completely covering the glass so that it is solid and having the paint too thin. I would suggest doing a thinner application and once that dries going back over it with another coat (I did one thick coat and it came out a little bit chunky in some areas). If you are adding sparkles now is the time to do it. You simply mix the Paint Crystals in with the chalk board paint and the glass is blinged out!

Step 3: Once completely dry, carefully remove the Painters tape and write something on your glass! All you have to do to remove the chalk is wipe with a wet paper towel.

Now I have a great excuse to have some friends over to drink wine!

Photo Display: Clothes Pins

I found this idea on Design Sponge while I was researching ideas for a headboard. It's a cool, inexpensive and fun way to display photos. I dig it because it allows me to see photos I love everyday that used to live in a shoe box in my closet. If you have any empty walls and aren't sure what to do with them, this is a great way to decorate and add some fun, personal touches without breaking the piggy bank.

My mom recently gave me a box full of old photos from my childhood. I was so excited and had a great time going through all of them (brought back some great memories) but then didn't have anywhere to put them.  It makes me happy that I get to see some of them everyday now - and its a lot better use than sitting in that box in the closet. I also threw some newer pictures and even my friend Jamie's save the date card (I had to use it because it was so cute) into the mix!

What you will need:

• box of old photos
• approx. 10 clothes pins (found them on Amazon)
• roll of twine (any hardwood store)
• hammer
• 2 large nails

Best part: Cost is under $10

First, get your hammer and nails. Choose your desired height (make sure to account for the length of the photos underneath) and then put each nail on either side of the wall (you can use a level to make sure they are exactly even, or measure the height of the nails from the floor up, but I just eyeballed it).

Second, you are going to measure the twine based on the distance between the two nails. You want to leave about 2 feet extra of twine when you cut it so that it is loose when tied and there is still enough twine for the bows.

Next, tie a bow with the twine around the first nail. When you tie around the second nail make sure there is some slack in the center so that the twine droops down slightly.

Once the twine is secured cut the leftover twine if there is any. I left some hanging, but only about 6 inches on each side. Attach the clothes pins onto the twine. I left plenty of space between each clothes pin so that my pictures would not touch. However, the amount of pins you use is personal preference and will also depend on the size of the wall you are using and size of the pictures/artwork you are displaying.

Finally, add your favorite pictures!

 Voila!

Please send us a picture if you try this!