Friday, October 3, 2008

Everybody's Doing It

As I've made my visits around blogland, I've noticed that making your own chalkboard is quite a popular project. Not wanting to be left behind, I purchased a large piece of framed art. I cleaned it well and then covered the "painting" with newspaper. I painted the frame a pretty apple green. I've been wanting to use this color on a project since seeing it at the paint party. It really is a cheerful color.When the frame was dry I covered it. (Hint- Be sure there are no gaps where paint over-spray can sneak in and land on your freshly painted frame.)Next, I covered the painting with two coats of chalkboard paint. I let it dry for 24 hours then I rubbed the entire board with the side of a piece of chalk to break it in. I painted a stain on the frame. I like using these little stains that you can find in the craft store. They're water soluble and easy to work with. I worked in small sections at a time, making sure the stain gets into the details. Then I wiped off the excess. This gives the frame some character and the look of age. I want the piece to look like I picked it up at an expensive antique shop.All that was left was to hang it in a prominent place in my kitchen.My art had a brush stroke texture to it which means my chalkboard does too. I'm not sure if I love the textured look or not. That's something for you to consider if you're going to try this project.
And you should try it, because everybody's doing it!

79 comments:

the undomesticated wife said...

I've been planning a chalkboard project as well. I haven't had the time to get to it though! I love how yours turned out, very pretty with the green!

I hope you have a great weekend too!

xoxo
Gari-Ann

Blissfully Enamored said...

how stinking CUTE! i love the detail that showed up when you used the stains! what a great and easy idea!

Ann said...

Thanks for sharing. I haven't really figured out how to do those stains until now. Nice chalkboard.

Unknown said...

It looks good I have one in my kitchen and love it! I love the color!

Darlene - Our Creative Life said...

It looks great Joy! I made one too a few years ago. You can see mine here: http://ourcreativelife.blogspot.com/2008/09/pretty-magneticchalk-board.html

Valarie Lea said...

I can actually say I did this!!! I just have not hung it up yet :) I really like the green!

Christine said...

I really like this,,,you did good. I didn't even know there was such a thing as chalk board paint and I'm married to a painter...lol What a great idea ..thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I've done one too. Thanks for the tip on the stain. I have been trying to figure out how to get that look.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

"Everybody's doing it"...Laugh Out Loud!!! That's exactly what I said in my post about the dead black Halloween tree I made (when the couple at the city dump wanted to know why I was taking dead stuff home). Hee-hee.
Your project turned out fabulous!!!
M.L.

CMB said...

This is so much cuter than the one I bought for too much $$...great idea!

The Dragonfly said...

Oooh, I can just see you scratching a note to yourself about ingredients for a fabulous recipe, or a reminder to your boys to put the trash out! Turned out fantastic and I would never have thought to cover up a HIDEOUS painting! Clever, so clever.

Kacey said...

Love the color and I think I'm digging the texture too. It's unexpected and I like that!

Hope you have a great weekend too!

Shannon said...

Can one have too many chalkboards?!? I hope not because I can't even count how many I have!! I love your big one!! So cute!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

That is beautiful! I did a chalkboard treatment to the top of a desk, and will have to show that sometime. (Like when I have cleaned it off!)

Unknown said...

Joy, I love the chalkboard!

Also, I finally blogged about my Dollar Tree three opening frame: http://lemonadehere.blogspot.com/2008/10/kudos-to-bloggie-girls.html.

I'm so happy with how it turned out! Thank you for always sharing your projects.

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I really like your chalkboard. I have something that I need to cover in my kitchen so I will be looking for something to make a chalkboard out of too. Jackie

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Great project! Love the apple green stained! :) ~Rhonda

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I love chalkboard paint! I just did a post on my kitchen and some jar lids that are sprayed in paint. I have yet to do a big piece yet though. Thanks for the inspiration to do so!

joelandbecca said...

Ok that turned out so great! I love that apple green, that was the color of my old kitchen, so Happy! So clever to use those stains too...I really want one now!

Cheryl (TidyMom) said...

I've seen this done all over too, and I have to say, I LOVE yours!!! - GREAT, another project to add to my list! LOL
Thanks!

~Tidymom

Ali said...

I too have recently started to make blackboards. I actually have one on my recent blog entry. http://countrygirlcitychic.blogspot.com/

AJ said...

I like the size of your chalkboard and how you stained it! I bought a can of that apple green paint but haven't used it yet. Maybe I'll pull it out today:)

ROXY said...

Love it!! What a great color:)

Anonymous said...

My goodness Joy! I thought I had a lot of brain clutter (i.e. new projects to get done)Wow another perfect project! I think it must look great with the texture. I wonder if gesso first would smooth it out a bit? Anyway, next week I'll show you what I did with an old unframed artist canvas! Have a great weekend - Sincerely, Jeannette

Traci @ The Bakery said...

I have an extra cabinet door I'm going to try that with....thanks for showing it!!! I LIKE the texture....more vintage looking.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I now so want to be everyone.

Unknown said...

Great project Joy...and I have just the frame (or two or three) waiting in the garage wondering what I'm going to do with them!

Darlene said...

I LOVE the color of your frame and yea, I don't have to copy since I have already done 3 chalkboards! I LOVE them!! Yours turned out GREAT!

Britt-Arnhild said...

Hi Joy.
What a lovely, happy green chalkboard.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leading me over here :-)

Katie said...

I love it. I need to come to your garage sale.. I love everything you do Joy!

createacraft said...

yes everybody is doing and..
this is epidemic..
=)

but your's is a one piece black board..and this makes it unique..

love from istanbul..

Mimi Sue said...

That chalkboard is so cute. Love the color of the frame. I've been wanting to do a chalkboard too. Even have the paint. Need to find time! Mimi

Lamp Tramp said...

What a great project, someday I'll make one. I have so many projects to do, some half-finished! Never enough time. I love all your furniture redos! So pretty!

Kendra@My Insanity said...

I just found your blog. I LOVE all of your repurposed furniture and decor. I am just getting ready to get adventurous with spray paint, myself! Thanks for the inspiration!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

That's really cute, Joy. I must be the only one left without a chalkboard. I do have a bulletin board though...a huge one.

Love that limey green spray paint. I've used some before too.

Mrs. B said...

Hey Joy! Guess what? I have the exact same project posted today! Great minds think alike! Actually, mine has an antique gold frame, so it's not EXACTLY the same, but pretty close. It even has that brush stroke texture, and like you, I'm not crazy about the texture. Love that lime green color you used!

cherry said...

darling...darlin! Love the color..that is a fun color to work with. Just to warn you...once you do a chalkboard...one is never enough. cherry

Holly said...

I really like the green! Cute project. Several houses ago I used chalkboard paint on the phone wall in my kitchen, and I have a can waiting to be used in this current house. Maybe I'll start looking for a big frame...

Deb said...

Love the chalkboard. Fun, fun color. I love mine, and now i want to do another one in a different color for my laundry room. They are totally addictive.

Juanita said...

Love it!! I really appreciate the details of how you make things. I have so many new projects to try. Have a blessed day.

I'm Jaime said...

love the green frame! very cute!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love it! That color of green is just like my kitchen but a little lighter! That is great!
-Sandy Toes

Nancy Hood said...

love love love it!!! LOVE THE TEXTURE, TOO!!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Go to my blog...I GAVE you something!
-Sandy Toes :)

Anonymous said...

Oh.. the peer pressure!! :)

I have been looking for something like this. I never thought of an old painting! Great tip.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

I already have the paint, and the frames....no...just...do...it!! :) Love the green!

Christine said...

I'll tell you what, you come over and help me with this black board and I'll throw the Halloween party! I am going to make this..I love it! I'll post a picture of it as soon as I do it! Have a great week end! =O)

Blogger said...

lol, yep I took the plunge and did it too:

http://bella1104.blogspot.com/2008/09/garage-sale-before-after.html

I have an even BIGGER chalkboard paint project coming up...hopefully next week, I know you will love it :)

I LOVE your green paint that you used, I love green and black together :)

Don't forget about Kimba's Halloween paryt on Monday :)

Have a wonderful weekend, Joy!

Bella
PS: I keep seeing decorative suitcases in the stores, I always think of you when I see them..I have one somewhere around here, a real one like yours, not decorative..need to find it, it's got so much character..and the dang thing is locked and I can't open it...I have kids' puzzles in it, lol :)

Sweet Simplicity said...

What a great idea! I have seen the chalkboard paint at Home Depot. I might have to pick some up next time I am there!

SummerAnytime said...

I love it, and the texture gives it more character! Have a good weekend! Becky

Amy Bell said...

that green and that stain...oh so pretty. love it. what a great piece!

Leacayoungart said...

love your blog. i am so glad i found you on "huse blog" great stuff.

Cottagecheap said...

Love the apple green! I am contemplating using chalkboard paint on the panels of my new kitchen door. It is not old enough to be OLD and not new enough to worry about...not to mention it has a dog door already cut in it!

Laura said...

I love, love, LOVE it. I too am jumping on the chalk board paiting bandwaggon. I just can't figure what to do. Wish me luck.

kathy said...

I love this idea -- it looks wonderful as do all your creations - Thanks for sharing this idea - Kathy - GA

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

LOVE it, of course! I did a chalkboard in our kitchen for our son, but on the wall. I framed it out with molding so it looks like it's hung. ;) Sneaky. You did a great job on this.

Kari said...

I recently posted about my chalkboard collection, one of which is an old '60's print of a painting that I spray painted over and got results much like yours with a little texture. But I like it just fine. Glad to see you tried this and that it worked!

Take care,
Kari
~Reese & Marie~

Felicia said...

That is so great! Thanks for taking the time to show us how to do it. Now I'll be on the lookout for a piece of art. Love it!

the author said...

The reuse of an old painting is simply brilliant!! And, it's hot =] I am sooooo going to have to store this idea away!

Anonymous said...

What an easy and fun idea!

Miss Looney Tunes said...

it came out great. you're so brave to use such bright colors. I'm not quite so brave *frown*
This is the first time I've visited blog land in a long time, and you were my first stop! glad to see your neew projects!!

Lincoln and Alisia said...

Dad wrote a comment on my blog!!! What is this world coming to?! JK it was a pleasant surprise.

Wendy said...

I love chalkboards...the green is great!

Robin Beck said...

It turned out great!

abeachcottage said...

hi Joy

hey I can't tell you how much I'd like you to come junkin with me, oh and I'd even give you a bed in the Beach Cottage ;-)

I love the chalkboard, I did one a while back (not sure if I had met you in blogland then) and I was really pleased with how it turned out, and funny that we use it all the time, the kids write little messages on it and reminders, so I was thinking of doing another one, I like the green on yours, nice touch, I also like the size of frame you chose, I will look out for a similar one, that's if I don't drive-by one!

Sarah

Suzann said...

Joy, thank you for popping by for a visit. No, the keys that are pictured on my blog are not mine, it's just a photo. I do love old keys and doors and door knobs and I can often be found admiring them at the monthly flea market. I'm glad you liked my post about simplicity - it is something I'm striving for.
I hope you'll pop by for a visit again.

CMB said...

Joy,
Come by for a visit when you have time...I have something for you!
Coco

TidyMom said...

AWESOME!!!!! I love the color too!!

Hey, wanted to tell you I got my Boo frame done!!! gave you credit of course too!! Thanks!!

http://tidymomof2.blogspot.com/2008/10/lets-go-to-halloween-party.html

~Tidymom

Inspired Kara said...

Heck yes I need one of these!

I have a thing of chalkboard paint sitting in my utility room and i've been trying to figure out the best use. I think I just found it :)

Debbie said...

Love it! I guess I'm going to have to make one for myself.

Debbie in Florida

Bonnie the Boss said...

Funny thing I must be on trend. I just did this a week ago I just haven't posted it yet. I like your frame much betterthan mine! I am going to have to try the stain stuff. I love the look.

The Golf Widow said...

Very cute! If only I had old art laying around. My friend made a chalk board table for her son and she used spray chalk board paint and said it was easy. Maybe it wasn't your brush, but the old oil painting that already had texture? Still it turned out great!

Ashlie said...

I love this! The apple green especially! I'll add it to my "to copy" list! Ha!

CarolinaGirl said...

Beautiful! Can you paint that on a mirror? I do have a mirror that I am not using.

susie said...

love it! i just did the same with 3 different pieces of "art" that were unwanted at my house. the apple green is beautiful!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

This looks like a project I could actually do. Are the brush strokes on the chalkboard really a problem? I'm just wondering if you could replace the canvas with something else and paint that with chalkboard paint. Now I really want to try using stains!

Smullin Family said...

This is SO cute. You did a great job!
I was wondering something.. (hopefully it hasn't been asked before..I didn't make it all the way through the comments)..When you paint on the chalkboard paint, does the surface become magnetized? Like could I put magnets on it?
Hopefully this wasn't a silly question..just wondering.
Thanks!

Nikki Scanlon said...

That is such a great idea! never would have thought of that! thanks for sharing! ps I love your blog!

Nikki
http://reddirtroads.blogspot.com/

Sandy said...

Love it. Like the painting technique. I made a chalk board last week with a large oval frame that I found in the Thrift store I will post it soon.

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