DIY Chalkboard

I realize that a chalkboard barely warrants a tutorial, so I'm not calling it that.  This is just showing you what I did, and if you want to do it too, well, that's great!

I have been wanting a chalkboard for a while, but waiting for a good coupon to Jo-Ann's.  After looking at them multiple times, Zach finally convinced me that I should and could just make my own.

Here's what we used:

• A frame (whatever size you're going for, but I used 18 x 22)
• A plank of wood, cut to fit in your frame
• chalkboard paint
• primer
• paint (the color you want your frame to be)
• paintbrush or sponge
• staple gun/staple or hammer/small nails

Step 1: buy yourself a new or old frame.  Bonus points if it includes such a glamorous picture in it as mine.  wink wink

Told ya it was nice. 

Oh, and double bonus points if you get your husband to help model stuff for you! ; )

Step 2: Remove glass and picture.  (My chalkboard paint said it was not for use on glass.  Not sure if they make any that is or not.)

The inside of my frame= ugly  Border= Pretty woodwork

Step 3: Prime frame with basic primer.  Especially, if like mine, I don't think the inner part of the frame was made to have paint stick to it.  The primer was a must for that! 

Step 4: Paint frame.  I used colors of paint we had from the house, starting with gray, which was bad, and then pitter patter, which I love.  (It's the color in our bathroom.)

 Step 4: (Not pictured) Have husband (or you if you are allowed near saws... I am not!) cut out board to fit in frame.  We got a 1/4 in. pine board from Lowe's.  It was smoother and smaller than plywood, so I feel it worked better.

Step 4: Paint board with chalkboard paint. (Yeah, I forgot pictures of that, too!  And I was doing so well...) I did two coats on my board.  **Very Important- my paint said to wait 24 hours between coats, so I did.  I wasn't in the mood to find out what would happen if I didn't.

Step 5:  Put painted board in frame and staple it in.  If you don't have a staple gun, perhap short nails would work well.

Step 6:  Step back and admire your handiwork!

Ta-da!

Add in an adorable photo-bombing puppers, and that's a wrap.

P.S.- But don't forget to decorate!

(It looks super green here, this is the only pic from my phone, so the others are closer to the true color... I think!)

It turned out pretty well, I suppose!  I guess husbands sometimes have more faith in us that ourselves! I love it!