Home How-To: Chalk It Up

Today I am going to walk you through making your own chalkboard. These chalkboards are great to use as memo boards, calendars, meal plans, etc. around the home. They can be made as cheap or as expensive as you want.

Supplies Needed:
Frame, Mirror or Plywood
Chalkboard Paint (This can be found at a craft store and can be found in spray paint or tub form. The spray paint is always black or green and the tub form comes in lots of different colors.)
Painters Tape
Roller paintbrush (if using tub of paint)
Chalk
Exacto Knife or sharp edge

I found this frame on sale at Jo-Anns for 50% off. It was $25 with a discount.
If using a poster frame or mirror, the first step is to clean the glass with glass cleaner. If using plywood, sand it VERY smooth.

The second step is the tape your edges off using painter's tape.

Next, paint the first coat of paint on. It will look VERY thin and seem like it is not working "right". If using spray paint, follow directions on the can. Let this dry for 45 mins to an hour.

Paint as many coats of paint as needed until you are satisfied with the coverage. I found on my frame if I turned the printed paper over underneath the frame to make the background solid it looked MUCH better. I ended up doing 4 coats of paint and only used half a tub of colored chalkboard paint.

Once you are satisfied with the coverage of paint allow it to dry overnight. Next take an exacto knife or sharp edge and run it around the entire edge of your frame/mirror. Then remove the tape slowly. After the tape is removed, use the side of a piece of chalk to rub all over the chalkboard. This primes the chalkboard. Wipe all the chalk off and it is normal if some of the color of the paint is on your towel with the chalk - do not rub vigorously though.

Have fun and be creative with what you put on your chalkboard.

Lastly, hang it in the place that it will be of most use to you. We use our chalkboard for reminders and a weekly bible verse, so we hung it on the stairs going to the garage.

Please comment if you have any questions or problems making your own. I can't wait to see you all posting pictures of your own chalkboards. Please feel free to comment as well if you have any suggestions for Home How-To!

Now Go....And CREATE!