Candice Windham Design Studio

This is the time of year we celebrate our independence. What says America better than a red, white and blue sign to greet your guests at the door and tiny reminders of our freedom scattered throughout your home? These great chalkboards can become the centerpiece of your decorating with just a few pieces of bright chalk and about 10 minutes of your time. Don't worry if you can't draw it perfectly. Remember my motto: If it's perfect, it's not handmade. The best thing about these chalkboards are that with the swipe of a paper towel and maybe a little bit of water, you have fresh slate to start all over for your next celebration. Mine were purchased as you see them, but you could achieve the same results with a piece of plywood or masonite and a can of chalk paint. Pop your handmade board into an inexpensive frame, and you have a great designer look. Be sure to click on the Designer Crafts Connection at left to hop through and see other designers' ideas for celebr...

...we have a giveaway! If you're as excited as I am about etchall® Reusable Glass and Mirror Etching Creme , you'll love this message from the blog of Julie McGuffee. (which I am shamelessly reusing!). Etchall Giveaway! Have you seen all the etched projects designed by Designer Crafts Connection (DCC) members?  Are YOU itching to etch?  Then here's a newsflash for you:  Hop thru the DCC webring and comment on the projects.  Each time you comment you'll be entered to win the same etchall® kit that the designers worked with - the more you comment, the more chances you'll have to win.  (US & Canada addresses only.) You have until midnight, June 23rd!   Just click on the Designer Crafts Connection button to hop through the blog posts and leave a comment.

I have always wanted to learn to etch glass. There are so many possibilities for home and office decor that I believe I could write a book about it. There's only one problem: I have always hated the mess, odor and possible side-effects of the etching creams I've used in the past, so I haven't played with it very much. Well, those days have ended, my friends. My first project with B&B Etching Products, Inc.'s etchall TM  Reusable Glass Mirror Etching Creme  turned out so good that nothing made of glass is safe at my house. I want to etch every surface, which  is made less expensive than the older versions of etching cream because it is reusable. It says so right on the label and it's true. I was able to return 90 percent of the used cream to the bottle for future projects. I used a stencil, which I created with a punch and etchmask TM vinyl, for my first etchall TM project. I am very pleased with the results. You could also use a stencil cut...