Thursday, December 6, 2012

DIY: Christmas chalkboard & my favorite Holiday DIYs

This year I planned ahead.  Waaay ahead.  By Thanksgiving I'd purchased all the supplies needed for a week of Christmas crafts.  Then Zac's travel schedule happened and this chalkboard was the only one that was completed. 
There's always next year, right?

I picked up an antique frame and a can of chalkboard paint and thirty minutes later had myself a chalkboard.


I removed the glass and sprayed the frame with Rustoleum's brass spray paint and added a clear coat - this step isn't necessary though.  Then sprayed the glass with three coats of Krylon's chalkboard paint.


After seeing so many beautiful chalkboard graphics on Pinterest, I assumed it would be easy.  So not the case for me.  I had originally planned scrolly lavish writing and quickly realized writing with chalk is an art…and I am not an artist.  The simple block lettering proved to much easier.  (Inspiration print).


Here are a few of the Holiday crafts and DIY projects that I was drawn to this year.  Some that I'm still going planning to get done and others that are going to have to wait for next year!


1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

PS Our activity advent calendar is up!  I love that it holds me accountable - I can't make excuses and the fun stuff gets done.  Because Zac will be gone a big portion of this month, I added an extra "snuggle and read Christmas books with hot cocoa" and "a family dance party to Christmas music".


  Simply is the word of the month for me.



10 comments:

  1. are you using real chalk? I think the way everyone makes their chalk writing so gorgeous is with the chalk pen things....I need to investigate more because I am pretty sure I NEED a chalk board (or 6!)

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  2. Oooh, I haven't heard of those - thanks for the heads-up!

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  3. So pretty! I just did a huge mirror into a chalkboard-it is harder then it looks to make font look good! Loving yours though!

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  4. So, that's how you do it!! I've been wanting to do a chalkboard project for a long time. I didn't realize that you could just spray the actual glass with chalkboard paint!!! (Duh!) I thought I needed a special backing for the paint!!

    Good to know! Thanks.

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  5. These will change your life!

    http://www.amazon.com/Chalk-Ink-Classic-Markers-8-Pack/dp/B00251G48E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354841527&sr=8-1&keywords=chalk+markers

    Love your chalkboard!!

    XOXO Mallory @ Classy Clutter

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    Replies
    1. No wonder all the others I've seen look so great!

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  6. Love your chalkboard and I think you have very nice writing! I'm making gingerbread houses this weekend with my little neighbor kids. Should be fun.

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  7. Natty~What is the source for the the evergreen words in the window. They look great and I think I must try!
    Thanks!
    Marie

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    Replies
    1. Are you meaning this one? http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2011/12/07/diy-jotters-for-designsponge/

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    ReplyDelete