Chalk it up

Chalkboards are hot, hot, hot right now in home decorating!  I mean, hotter than an Antelope Valley summer.  I have been seeing them everywhere...from stores, catalogs and yes, on the internet.  The first few times I saw them, I have to admit I really wasn't that impressed.  First of all, I am a teacher.  I use a chalkboard, well actually a whiteboard, everyday.  Why would I want a chalkboard in my house too?  Also the cost is outrageous!  I saw one in my favorite catalog I like to stalk..uhh..I mean...look at for over $500! Wowzie!  If I had money like that laying around, I wouldn't spend it on a chalkboard...really...who does that?  I am sure some do, but I can't.  Remember...champagne taste, kool-aid budget.   But like most new things, the idea began to percolate in my little head.

This is a project I did a little while ago and thought I would share it and explain why it has become one of my most favorite projects I have done.  And by the way, it was very inexpensive...almost my favorite price (freeee!).


So the first thing I did was shop my house.  I have learned in all my home decorating tv viewing that means walk around your house and find something in another room you can use.  And to think that the hubsters thought that watching tv wasn't useful...uh...yeah...it's called research!   
I found a picture in the dining room that was okay.  The only reason I have still kept it was because I loved the frame. It was going to be perfect for my project.  If you don't have a frame in your home you want to use, check out yard sales and the Goodwill.  You can get one pretty inexpensively. 


I turned the picture over and carefully pulled back the staples and removed the picture, matting and glass.  Now I was able to have some fun!  I got my favorite antique white spray paint and sprayed away.  I think I could spray paint just about anything with it...I do love it so! 


Now when you look at it, you will see that the paint is a little cracked.  I decided not to paint anymore because I liked it cracked.  I figured the spray paint police wouldn't know.

At the Home Depot, I found a sheet of MDF that was 1/4" thick.  I then cut it to size to fit inside the frame when I got home.  If you don't feel confident enough to use a power saw, HD will cut the boards for you.  They are awesome that way. 

I got some black board spray paint.  It comes in green too.  I sprayed the MDF with the black board paint.  It did take two cans...the MDF really soaked up the paint.  In hindsight, I should have used a primer first.  Oh, well! 

After the board and frame were dry, I put the MDF board into the frame and re-bent the staples back down onto the board.  Now it was done, well almost.   

Before I could write on my new chalkboard I had to rub the side of a piece of chalk all over the board and then wipe it off.  Now it was done!  I love it!

This project has become my favorite.  I decided that it was going to be used to write scripture on every week.  The scripture would be our family's focus for the week.   
Joshua 1:8 says, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.”  
Writing the scripture was a weekly project between me and my cutie pie boy.  At first I was the one who found the scripture and discussed it with him, but soon he was finding the scripture and I would write it and he would want to lead the discussion.  There were even times that, as we were watching tv, we would see something and want to find out what God's Word says on the topic, then we would have our new scripture for the week.  What momma wouldn't want that? 


This project was very inexpensive.  Here is the breakdown of the cost:
                 Frame:  Free!
                 Antique White Spray Paint:  Free!  (I already had some)
                 Black Chalkboard Spray Paint:  $9.34 (2 cans)
                 1/4" MDF sheet:  $4.79
                 TOTAL COST:  $14.13!

Score!!!  A whole new project for under $15!  My champagne taste/kool-aid budget heart lept for joy!  That is a far cry from $500! 

Let me know if you make one too and what you decided to use it for!  I would love to know!