Sunday, March 6, 2011

Craft Project #5 - Chalkboard Wine Labels

Finally, spring is in the air! We've had occasional small glimpses of spring over the last few weeks and it's giving me the itch to get out and do something fun! I know I'm not the only one whose caught the spring fever, during a recent phone conversation with my best friend about the upcoming spring break at our kids' schools, we decided to plan a weekend trip with our two families. This is a first for all of us, jumping into 3 days of togetherness with wonderful people we don't see often enough.
As our trip nears, I've been thinking of fun things to bring to occupy the kids on the 6 hr drive as well as in our rental when the adults are ready for some time to simply enjoy the company of friends. Hoping to keep the interruptions and distractions to a minimum, I so far have a very limited assortment of the usual: board games, toys, video games and movies. These are all well and good, but I wanted something new and fun that they could all make use of, at least once. Something that would make a special memory for all of them to share.

Now, my friend and I like a glass of wine on occasion, so I bought a bottle to take with us for an evening in at our cabin. I had this idea that the kids might enjoy their own fancy bottled beverage, so I bought two bottles of sparkling grape juice for them.

A few days later, I was sitting at my desk making notes in my journal about different projects to make using my new chalkboard vinyl and viola! I thought of the grape juice bottles and my chalkboard wine labels were born!

-First, I cut out a 4" x 6" piece of chalkboard vinyl with some decorative crafting scissors.

-Next, I applied a small vinyl decal of a modern grape vine in the corner.

-Last, I simply peeled off the backing paper and applied the new label over the existing label on the glass bottle.



I thought it turned out rather cute! The kids can now write their names, keep score for their games or draw right on the bottle. I'm also going to make a couple for my kids to use on clip boards in the car. I was so happy with my idea I listed a set of 4 of these labels in my Etsy shop here.


These labels are not only for wine bottles, they can be used several different ways,like to leave little notes around the house for those you love! Put one on the inside of your child's lunchbox and leave him notes from home, add one to a clipboard and take it in the car, or put it on the refrigerator!

Chalkboard vinyl is becoming popular and can be found several different places online, as well as in some sign shops but if you want a completely do-it-yourself project for a real bargain, you could also use the bottle itself as a dry erase board. Carefully peel off the existing label ( you may need to soak it in soapy water first) and use any dry erase marker to mark directly on the clean glass bottle. It wipes off easily with a tissue, and can be used over and over again.


I hope you all have a great weekend and Happy Crafting!

Jill♥

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