Chalkboard Picnic Basket

Here goes my first project post! I've been holding onto this "Before" for at least 10 years! I've moved it across four states and kept it in a paid storage unit. Most recently it housed odd spools of Christmas ribbon. Sadly, I didn't stop to take a before picture before transforming this basket into my kindergartner's art basket.

I had actually started a project with this basket right after I first acquired it years ago. I went through a very heavy hand painted wood phase (á la this lovely cheery cherry napkin holder and salt shaker). Fortunately, I have come through the other side of this painting phase and am better for it. Anyway, I had painted the top of this basket white and then taped it with painter's tape so I could paint red for a checkered tablecloth effect. Get it? Picnic basket. Checkered tablecloth. I am sure there would have been some ants on there, too.

I needed something to store my son's art supplies to keep my one year old out of the crayons, markers and play dough. I thought of this picnic basket gone wrong and dusted off a can of chalkboard spray paint. My son loves it and can easily access his supplies. I love the texture it adds to my living room.

Here's what his art supplies were stored in before- one of these green cardboard Ikea boxes. Great for storage, but not so sturdy for carry around by a little one. This is also a Before of my next project- straighten up my beloved Ikea Expedit shelf.