Because you just can't make a mistake...

That would be one reason why I love distressing...If you don't like how it came out just paint over it and do something else. For example...

I messed up my first idea so I did this instead:

 What happened is....


I had this piece of wood, 45 mins. (while making dinner), a half cleared off table, and the need to make something...

So, I got out a sample of paint I got from Lowe's, my brush, Plaster of Paris, and a paint storer/mixer thingy.  I was going to try a chalk paint recipe that I saw over at Elizabeth & Co. (a seriously amazing blog!) but I have to admit I didn't really measure...but it still worked!  It doesn't distress quite as easy (it may if you measure correctly...) but I still only used a cut up t-shirt (would have been easier if I had sandpaper.  I wasn't that prepared-this was a spur of the moment project!).  It also doesn't give it the sheen that Annie Sloan paint does when you buff it...but again it may if you measure it!  Even with the differences the money you save is SO worth it. Thank you for sharing your recipe Elizabeth & Co.!!!  You are genius's. :)

Just love this color (Valspar- Sparkling Lake) and I was waiting for the paint to dry enough to do a quick touch up.  That is right I said waiting for the paint to dry.  Dinner was in the oven and I was taking a moment to relax myself...

Done the painting...

After distressing it I was on to putting on the letters my sister-in-law cut out for me on her Cricket with this cute contact paper I found....

And it looked....like this...boring. and the color was to light for the distressing to show up enough to make me happy.  Next time I will paint the board black and then this color over so the distressing stands out more...and it still may not work, but this wasn't doing it for me so I....

Broke out some already mixed (and expensive chalk paint) and painted over the whole thing.

I let it dry, peeled off the letters, distressed my little heart out (I was feeling the need for some serious de-stressing tonight), and smiled happily at the results:

Sorry the final pictures aren't that great but I was on a time crunch to get dinner on the table.  Which required me to finish it so we could actually eat at the table! I am in love with it...What do you think?  I am thinking of doing some more tomorrow.  Ranee can you cut me out some more letters? :)  And since I finished a new project I decided to link it to Elizabeth & Co.'s Be Inspired Link party.  I hope my little project inspires you to take some time to create.  Now head over to be inspired by other people's creations!