Redoux: Make an art station from an old crib

I bet we have seen plenty of these around when doing our junk hunts.

These particular crib pieces I got for a few dollars from the biggest junker I have yet to meet. They were soon headed to the dump.

It was the most impressive collection of junk outdoors ever! This man had been collecting so long, he probably started before color film was created.

The pieces sat in my garage for a while, when suddenly, inspired by Gail's from "My Repurposed Life" old headboard made into a chalkboard, I had an idea. Spray the pieces white, attach a brightly colored chalkboard, and use an old drawer from a child's vanity

(that was the project from you know where because apparently, instead of paint, they used tar to cover it)

In 8 easy steps you can have a new unique art center.

This what you will need to get started.

An old crib end piece
Large frame
Foam Core Board
Chalk Board spray paint (I like Rustoleum)
T square for measuring
Exacto knife of sharp box cutter
Gorilla Glue Tape
TSP (and GLOVES) to clean crib piece thoroughly
Spray Primer (I like Zinsser Enamel, it won't rust and esp. adherent to metal)
Spray paint color of choice for Crib
Paint color of choice for frame
Paint color of choice for drawer
Gorrilla Glue Dries White
Clamps
Drill and small screws
Hammer

Step 1: Clean crib piece thoroughly with TSP, it dries fast, so you can move on quickly to Step Two

Step 2: Spray several coats of Primer to cover uneven spaces and make a good gripping surface for spray paint. Remember to let dry between coats! When satisfied with primer coverage, spray piece in color of choice. I used Rustoleum Satin White (what I had on hand)

Step 3: While paint is drying on Crib, turn your frame over and measure the inside so you know how big your foam core piece should be. Using the T Square, measure and mark your cuts. Hold down the T Square firmly while you guide the Razor blade along the edge.

Step 4: Spray foam core with two coats of Primer. This will ensure your chalk board paint does not scratch off when you go to write on it. Spray foam core with Three good coats of Chalkboard paint. I like to go horizontal, (1st coat), then vertical (2nd coat), then horizontal for final coat. This ensures even coverage and no "splotchy" patches.

Step 5: Paint Frame and Drawer

Step 6: Adhere foam core board into frame and secure with Gorilla Glue Tape.

**Added step. To make the back of your chalkboard pretty, consider covering it with decorative heavy duty paper, or my favorite, book pages. I used an old Harry Potter book to cover this one.

Step 7: Get out your Gorrilla Dries White Glue and clamps.

Lay the chalkboard on your crib piece and figure out where it will be touching. Lightly dampen crib and apply a thin even line of Gorilla Glue at each point where frame will be touching. Use Clamps to secure and let dry for at least an hour. Repeat procedure with drawer. I put mine on the bottom, you may want yours placed at different place.

(This cookbook isn't being used too much these days, I thought I would put it to work in another way)

Step 9: After Glue has dried, secure the drawer with small screws. Hint, Screw the 1st one into the drawer first, then pound lightly with a hammer, this will puncture the metal, then with a little force, screw down the screw. No need to use hammer on the other two screws, the drawer is now firmly in place.

Ta Da! Step back, take a bow, and admire your work!