New look for something old

When I was little, I remember asking my parents to see their toys from when they were children and I loved hearing stories about their childhoods. After a little begging, they would usually give in and let me hold what ever object it may have been. I understand now their reservation, I did break my mother's necklace that she bought in Africa as a young adult. There were Disney watches, books, an iron toy of horses and a wagon, an old chemistry set that I had A LOT of fun concocting all sort of things.  They didn't have many toys from their childhood, certainly not as many as I had. The quantity of things my children have acquired in their short lives thus far is much more than I ever had. My how times have changed! Toys now are cheaper, but they aren't built to last.
One thing my father had as a child was a metal table and 2 chairs. By the time it was handed down to me, it was pretty beat up. The brown paint was chipped, it was rusty and the canvas top was torn. I sat at this table to do my chemistry experiments in my parent's garage. Later, when my dad had a play house built for us the table and chairs resided in it. There it sat for at least 20 years unused.
Recently my parents drove from Kansas to visit me. On a whim, I asked my mom to bring the set for my boys. This summer I spent a little time fixing it up and giving it a fresh look.
Here it is!

I replaced the top with new fabric canvas, gessoed the canvas, then painted with chalkboard paint. I picked fabric with a school theme of letters and numbers and then used iron on vinyl over the fabric so clean up is easy.  I have 3 boys and they can be pretty messy at times!

I am always excited when I can recycle something old into something new and especially since it is now passed down to the next generation it makes me happy to see it shine once again! :)