DIY: Chalkboards

A chalkboard, obvees! 
 NOTE: We love love this DIY that we found! Just remember, you don't have to make killer menu's you can use this craft to make fun note boards or just decorative pieces.. also utilizing this idea in a nice picture frame is also a great idea!!

First gather your supplies:

Piece of wood (I am using a scrap 1x10 pine board that is 22 inches long)

Primer

Black paint

Chalkboard paint

Mod Podge

Scrapbook paper

Paint brushes


Step one:

Prime your board.  I know this is sort of a boring, seemingly unnecessary step, but I have learned the hard way.  Over time an unprimed board will bleed, fade and even warp.  Do this.  It only adds a few minutes to your project.  Let dry.


Step two:

Paint entire board and sides with 1-2 coats of black paint.  Let dry.

Step three:

While paint is drying, cut out letter stencils and trace on to scrapbook paper.  Then cut your letters out.

I included letters for you to make the following words:

EAT

BBQ

MENU  (Be warned that the word MENU needs at least 12 inches of wood to fit.  A standard 1x12 is actually only 11 inches wide.  If you want to make a MENU board, choose your wood accordingly.)

There are so many other options for the words you can use.  A great way to get whatever letters you need is to find a font you love, print out your word in the size you need, then cut and trace it on to patterned paper.

{Save this picture to your computer and print out as a full sheet.} 

Step four:

Brush a thin coat of Mod Podge on your board.  Lay your letters down and smooth out.  When the Mod Podge is completely dry, brush another thin coat on top.


You can buy Outdoor Mod Podge if you would like.  I try to bring my sign in at night to keep it from getting ruined by the elements, so the normal Mod Podge works just fine.

Step Five:

Brush two coats of chalkboard paint directly below your letters and on to the rest of the board.  Let dry between coats.  Season chalkboard if necessary according to directions on the label.

Good Luck

Whimsically,

 YBC