Using Chalkboard Paint to Make a Beautiful Framed Chalkboard

Now I’m sure this doesn’t happen to any of you ;-), but I’ve had the supplies to complete the chalkboard paint project I’m going to show you today for at least 6 months….probably longer. I finally got around to making myself a beautiful framed chalkboard and I LOVE it! I’m so glad I finally got to this project!

A few months ago, I got tired of the photos in the same arrangement they had been in for probably 5 years in what is our formal dining room, but we use as an office/craft room. I took them all down. For the most part, the walls are still blank. I had plans to get this frame above my desk to serve as a place to inspire me and keep my blog focus in the forefront of my mind.

After far too long, I’m happy to have this project done and be able to show it to you. I still have plans for the old frames and pictures that were on the wall, but we will take it one project at a time. Of course, if I could just work on one room in my house at a time, it would probably help me get a complete room AND it would be totally boring. LOL!

Supplies:

• Frame
• Hardboard
• Mini roller and tray
• Chalkboard paint
• Glazier points
• Old piece of wood
• Hammer

Start by measuring the opening of your frame. Make sure you measure in the back. Cut your hardboard to the correct size for your frame opening.

I found this adorbs (adorable for those of you who don’t have a tween in your house and don’t speak tween….hehe) Martha Stewart mini roller and tray at a craft store one day. I know you can buy mini rollers at home improvement stores, but this one is a bit smaller than those and seemed perfect for a project like this. I had to give it a try.

I loved working with it. Everything comes in the tray with a lid on the top. I was able to use the lid to seal my paint in the mini tray between coats without the paint drying out. I just used aluminum foil on the roller between coats to keep it from drying out.

Coat your hardboard on the smooth side with three coats of the chalkboard paint of your choice. You can also use any color paint you want and coat your board with the Americana Clear Coat Chalkboard paint  I showed you when I made our heart chalkboard at Valentine’s Day.

After giving your chalkboard the recommended amount of cure time, if your frame is like mine, it won’t have any way to hold the new chalkboard surface in the frame. I didn’t want to pay someone to do this for me so I could save a bit of money.

I bought a box of glazier points to solve my problem.

Simply decide on  where you want to use your glazier points. I used 4 per side on my large frame. Find an old piece of wood and use your hammer as pictured above to hammer the glazier points into place. Easy peasy.

FYI: There is a specific tool you can buy that will help with the installation of the glazier points, but I didn’t want to spend the money on it for one use. This worked just fine.

Before you use your new chalkboard, make sure to season the surface by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface, then wiping away.

My beautiful frame is now completed and hanging over my super fancy desk….otherwise known as a folding table. I didn’t even make it all magazine fancy for you….we are called The Real Thing with the Coake Family, so just keeping it real. This is what my desk really looks like.

I found a fantastic tutorial on how to create hand-lettered chalkboard designs, on I Should be Mopping the Floor. I followed those directions and dove into PhotoShop Elements for way to long to figure things out. The end result was this chalkboard in a printout on which I was able to create grids. The grids get put on the chalkboard and the design is put on the chalkboard following the grids. In the end the grids are erased and you have a beautiful hand lettered chalkboard.

For my first attempt at hand lettering a chalkboard and trying to do anything fancy, I’m really happy with my results. I love the quote I placed on the board, which I told you all about in my latest Keeping it Real post about having it all.

My new work area with a beautiful chalkboard frame. I love the inspiration it provides me right above my work space.

I also love that I walk by this area and can see it as I go up and down the stairs. The reminder and inspiration are fantastic. Another successful project checked on my super long and super fun list!

Have you ever done a ‘fancy’ hand-lettered chalkboard? What tips and tricks do you have? Do-tell, I would love to hear them for my next attempt.