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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 19, 2014

Over-sized Outdoor Checker Board

You know that saying, “If walls could talk”? Well, I’ve decided that I’m going to start saying a different version.

In my home we will say, “If rugs could talk”. Because honestly, our rugs could do some serious chatting!

Especially the rug that sits under our kitchen table. Not only would it be able to tell you all about the conversations and the games and the coloring which have occurred around the table above but it also has been physically impacted by many, many, many encounters with things falling off of that table and leaving permanent reminders. Stains, stains, stains.


scotch blue tape outdoor checker board project

So many in fact that it was time for it to stop talking. Frankly, I think it was relieved!

But after rolling it up and setting it in the garage I just couldn’t bare to simply donate it. I felt that I owed it a chance at a second life. And when I received the opportunity to partner with 3M and use my all-time favorite,  ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape  I knew exactly how I was going to breathe life back into that old rug and give it some new stories to tell!

How to make an outdoor checker board atthepicketfence.com

 The first thing I did was to measure out my squares and tape them off with the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Delicate Surfaces

Here’s the thing to remember about this project…it’s not going to be an exact replica of a checkerboard because…well…this rug is a rectangle and checkerboards are squares. But that’s ok because this is just supposed to be fun!

taped lines for checker rug

The next step was to start painting the squares…one by one by one by one by one. 😉 You can either roll on paint from a can or take the easy way out and spray paint them like I did.

painting checker squares on rug

Do you know what happens when you bring a giant stack of paint can lids without the actual paint cans to the register? Not only do you get the initial look of shock and wonderment but then when you explain that these are going to be giant checkers…well…you can imagine the bewildered expression that I received!

paint can lids atthepicketfence.com

But it didn’t matter how many bewildered expressions I got because didn’t these turn out so awesome!! My son helped me spray paint them and as we were working he said, “Hey mom, these look like giant checkers!”

Ummm….yeah buddy…that’s kind of the idea!

paint can lid checkers

Once dried we had to take this baby for a test run!

paint can lids as checkers for outdoor checkers game

And that old kitchen rug was more than ready to welcome the next chapter in it’s life and the laughter and memories that will come with it!

over sized outdoor checker board atthepicketffence.com

 

Vanessa signature

I’m so thrilled to be apart of this year’s summer blog-hop “Get It, Got It, Go”  being hosted by Kate at Centsational Girl, so be sure to check out the other fabulous projects.

Visit these other bloggers for more ideas and inspiration:

320 Sycamore  Simply Designing Brooklyn Limestone Fave Crafts Studio Pebbles Whipperberry Dukes and Duchesses Honeybear Lane Uncommon Designs

 You can find The Home Depot on Facebook, Twitter  and Pinterest

And ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape on Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest.

I am proud to be a 3M sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate products. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.

26 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Amy Kaminski says

    August 19, 2014 at 5:07 AM

    THAT….is an awesome idea!!!

    Reply
  2. Melody @ MarketingwithMojo.com says

    August 19, 2014 at 6:47 AM

    Fantastic! Love it! Great job!

    Reply
  3. Melody says

    August 19, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    Best DIY I’ve seen in a while!!!! Love it!!!!

    Reply
  4. Jane says

    August 19, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    You two sisters do a AWESOME JOB!!

    Reply
  5. LUCY says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    This is just brilliant!

    Reply
  6. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    What a great idea! Love it! Such a great idea for the outdoors.

    Reply
  7. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    August 19, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Such a super fun idea!!!! Love the painted lid idea!

    Reply
  8. Megan says

    August 19, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    What a cute idea ladies!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      Thanks girl!

      Reply
  9. Richella Parham @ Imparting Grace says

    August 19, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    You’re always smart, Vanessa–but this is absolutely brilliant!! I LOVE this idea. I’m so impressed with the way you made the giant checkers. Now you have me wondering what you could do this with in all different sizes. . .

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      Awww…thanks so much sweet friend! 🙂

      Reply
  10. chelsea says

    August 19, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Such a cute idea! So perfect for fall!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 20, 2014 at 7:40 AM

      Thank you Chelsea! We really appreciate you stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jessica Griffin says

    August 19, 2014 at 5:01 PM

    My kids would love this! Great job, really creative!

    Reply
  12. Julie says

    August 19, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    So cute, love it!! My girls would love this. Daphne likes Chess…uh oh

    Reply
  13. Carol Reddin says

    August 19, 2014 at 7:15 PM

    Love it! Very clever!

    Reply
  14. Ashley @ Cherished Bliss says

    August 21, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    Seriously fun idea! My kids would love this!

    Reply
  15. Dana@chocolateandsunshine says

    August 21, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Wonderful project. My 13 yr old daughter and I often play checkers on a very old stone outdoor set when we are sitting outside. I’ve seen the extra large games sold in some stores but don’t care for the appearance. I prefer something unique like your awesome project. I really need to try this one. At the very least, I Pinned it until I get to it. Love your blog.

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  16. Mimi says

    August 22, 2014 at 11:25 AM

    Great idea. Would be fun for the beach or an outdoor party

    Reply
  17. Budget Dry says

    August 26, 2014 at 5:37 AM

    Okay, this is so creative and awesome. I want one of these! Great idea 🙂

    Reply
  18. Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage says

    September 20, 2014 at 8:38 PM

    Hey V! Super fun project. I bet the kids just love it 🙂

    Reply
  19. Krisi says

    April 14, 2015 at 11:46 PM

    I love it – How has the paint on the checkers held up? What medium did you use to prime them so the paint would stick to plastic?
    Planning a Big Gaming event and LOVE LOVE LOVE this

    Reply
  20. Britney says

    June 26, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    What size rug was this? I saw another post about making one of these and they used a 12×12 rug but that is pretty huge and expensive. I want to make one of these for my wedding. I’m doing life size lawn games for my cocktail hour to entertain guests while we get pictures done.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 26, 2015 at 3:25 PM

      Hi Britney! This was just a 5×7 rug. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Christina says

    June 5, 2016 at 7:51 PM

    I was wondering where you purchased the paint lids. Thanks!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 6, 2016 at 7:49 AM

      Hi Christina! I purchased the paint can lids at Home Depot. 🙂

      Reply

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