Easy and Cute DIY Chalkboard

 

Even with being the less than creative person I am, I have been pulled to chalkboard paint like a magnet.  I mean whoever decided to make chalkboard paint is completely genius and  I bow down to their creativeness.  When DecoArts offered to send me some clear chalkboard coating, I was over the moon happy for multiple reasons.  1 – CLEAR CHALKBOARD PAINT. 2 – I would have to work out of my comfort zone. 3 – I finally had the perfect homemade Christmas gift!

So, I have a bunch of friends who get together for a girls night out once a month and my friend Beckie (who just happens to be our resident crafty person here on LLDC), started an annual homemade Christmas gift exchange.  Every December we get together and bring a homemade gift to exchange.  We do one of those games where you pass the gift right and left according to a story.  Anyway, I guiltily admit that I never went to the gift exchange before because I could not think of something I could make that someone would enjoy.  I finally went last year and made some cute bracelets to give.  However, I left feeling insecure that I could have done better and knowing I was lacking in the creative department.  Not this year!  This year I decided to make an easy and cute DIY chalkboard to give!

I picked up a small, rectangular platter from the Dollar store and a wooden easel from Michaels.  I spray painted the platter with Krylon Color Master, Satin Finish spray paint in Jade.  I sprayed 3 coats each front and back and let dry completely for 24 hours.  When dry, I painted one coat of the Americana Clear Chalkboard coating horizontally on just the front of the platter, let dry for an hour, and painted a second coating vertically.  I let the platter dry for 24 hours before chalking the whole platter and erasing it, readying it for use.

I couldn’t find a nice white easel so I decided to paint a black one.  I used white craft paint and painted a few coats.  When dry, I sanded the sides and in a few places to give it a vintage look.

Cute, huh?  I finished the last chalkboard coating the morning before the party and I couldn’t write anything cute on it for pictures because it was curing.  Rookie mistake.  Anyway, my friend Jennifer got my present and for the first time I heard “oohs” and “ahhs” when someone opened my homemade gift.  Many of my friends had never heard of clear chalkboard coating and were in love with the jade color I picked.

Funny story, I made a 2nd chalkboard and easel for a gift exchange at work and still didn’t get a cute writing picture!  Oh well, baby steps my friend.

Overall this was perhaps the easiest craft I have ever done and I am proud of the results.  And for once, I had the perfect gift.