I Heart Chalkboard

I love having creative spaces such as a chalkboard. After many discussions with my husband Bill about placement of the chalkboard, we decided to paint the studio sliding door and have been loving it ever since. I have been drawing on it frequently, sometimes around the theme of holidays, birthdays or whatever whim takes me. It's also great to write out the menu for dinner parties. Or the place for a to-do list, which Bill keeps in the corner of my drawings. (The hanging flower is covering it right now in the top corner - but you can see a hint.) Certainly everyone has a door! This is a simple project that will get your creative juice flowing. Below are the instruction for getting your own giant chalkboard.




{Materials} 

chalkboard paint (There are varieties of colors to choose from or you can even mix your own color at Home Depot. We used 2 cans of Rust-Oleum Specialty 30-oz Flat Chalkboard Paint in Charcoal Gray), paint brushes, rollers, roller tray, painter's tape, tarp or newspaper, primer

---------------------------

{Instruction}

Step One: layout a tarp or newspaper on the floor under the door and around.

Step Two: prepare the surface -- if unpainted, it needs a coat of primer.  Or if it is already painted (most likely), clean it completely, then lightly sand down any protruding imperfections and smooth out the surface. (I forgot to tell Bill to to lightly sand and he ended up completely sanding down the white paint of the door. He ended up with sore arms.)  Clean off the dust from sanding, and let dry completely.

Step Three: tape off the door edges with painter's tape.

Step Four: apply the chalkboard paint with a brush or roller. (Bill used medium and large size rollers) Let the coat dry for a day, then if needed then apply a second coat.  For us this was just right.  The extra coat(s) ensures a thick and durable chalk surface.

Step Five: allow the painted area to cure for 3 days before using it as a chalkboard. Then, prior to initial use, rub the entire surface with the side of a piece of white chalk, then lightly erase it all.




I love large chalk better than the thin because it tends to be more soft and goes on smoothly. And for the eraser you can purchase one at an office supply store or use a damp towel. Damp towel works great if you don't want dusts to go all over the place. Let me know how it goes!


Free Printable April Calendar!



Today I am excited to announce a new series of "free printables". On a by-weekly basis I am going to design a card, calendar, print, or wallpaper, and have them available for people to download for free. I thought of doing this to challenge myself and to share some of my new designs with you. Today I designed a Calendar for the month of April. Here's a diamond shape pattern continuing on the theme of Geometric calendar. There are two versions of this calendar - letter size printout and 1024 x 768px wallpaper. Simply print one out, preferably on a hard-copy paper, and tape it to the wall (washi tape works great!) or enjoy it on your computer screen! Happy April!



April Calendar - Check Below to Download

April Calendar On My Bedroom Wall

             



All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.

Ears Two A Happy Easter!


All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.

Tasty Honey & Vanilla Ice Cream

We recently picked up an ice cream maker and started experimenting with various ice cream recipes. Out of all the flavors we tried my husband loves this Honey, Vanilla and Light Brown Cane Sugar recipe the best, and I agree. Unlike before, we never run out of ice cream. Whenever there's a sweet craving, a few scoops of ice cream do the trick. 

My husband often makes the ice cream and I assist. I would say my favorite part of the process is putting the liquid custard into the ice cream maker and watching it turn and turn until it grows and thickens -- most exciting and magical. And of course tasting a spoonful of fresh ice cream before putting into the freezer is most rewarding.

Check out the recipe below and try it out. I promise you will be glad you did. Love to hear how it turned out.

Tasty Honey & Vanilla Ice Cream

Ingredients: honey, vanilla extracts, cane sugar, whole milk, half and half




Ice Cream Mixture

Cuisinart ICE-21 Ice Cream Maker

Thickening of Ice Cream - It's Magic!


Ingredients

2 cups half-and-half
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup cane sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to 170 degrees F. (when it's barely simmering). The mixture will thicken and become custard like. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.  Pour mixture into lidded container and refrigerate mixture overnight to mellow flavors and texture.

Freeze mixture in ice cream freezer according to the product's instructions. Once the volume has grown by 1/2 to 3/4 times, and reached a soft serve consistency, scoop the soft ice cream into a lidded container and harden in the freezer at least 1 hour before serving. (Some bites of fresh soft ice cream right out of the machine, however, is its own special reward!)


All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.


Macrame Bracelets Are Here!

I recently added these to the Hyjewelry shop. I am loving how the macrame bracelets have turned out, the contrast of metal and golden taupe cord works well as a single piece. Also it's great that it's adjustable to fit the wrist perfectly. The top Gold Silver bracelet is an odd man out and that makes it special.  

Gold Silver Bracelet
Squares Macrame Bracelet
Chevron Macrame Bracelet

All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.

New Baby Card Collection

Here's a new baby card collection I added to Hello Maupoo. I am in love with textures nowadays, especially glitters. It's adds fancy and creates a festive mood I think. Enjoy! 

Sparkling Ribbon Birth Announcement Card
Sparkling Circles Birth Announcement Card
Goat New Born Congratulations Card 
Onesie New Born Congratulations Card


All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.

What I Did with Black Beads and Circular Charms

Here are my latest necklaces and bracelets designs at Hy Jewelry. I have been collecting black beads and circular charms and this is what I did with them. They are delicate and simple designs with their own unique flair. Love to hear what you think of the designs. Thanks for looking! 

Black Bead Necklace
Tiny Circles Necklace
Tassel Necklace
Black Tube Necklace
Chain bracelet with a crystal

Chain Bracelet with a Coin
Circles necklace





All images and design © 2013 Hyun Yu. All rights reserved.
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