A Quick DIY

Like most of the Pinterest world, it seems, I love the chalkboard style.  I have a chalkboard on my front porch where I enjoy posting seasonal quotes and artwork.

While I have several small chalkboards I use in my home decor as well I would love to be brave enough to have a chalkboard wall or cabinet face like these:

(source: Almost Makes Perfect)

 (unknown source)

(source: Junk Chick Cottage)

But, I am also a little bit leery of having chalk dust all over the kitchen. Instead, I opted to create a quick little chalkboard on the inside of one my cupboard doors.  Big enough to write some stuff in a handy location, but can be hidden by closing the door. How's that for commitment?

Since I was too lazy to walk out to the storage building to find painter's tape, I used a piece of the pretty washi tape that Jana gave me to create a straight edge at the top.

Armed with popcorn and some Zipfizz, I gave the surface 3 coats of paint, then pulled off the tape.

I prepped the surface by covering it with chalk and then wiping it off.

Just for fun, I drew a fun little arrow border with a white chalk pen--chalk pens are more permanent, so I won't be erasing that. (You can see here that a bit of the paint peeled off with the tape, so I had to touch that up)

Now it's ready to keep up with shopping needs or recipes or even a fun message.

Knowing that the paint peeled off really easily with the tape makes me wonder if it is going to stick on the rest of the surface.  The cabinets were originally painted with oil-based paint and the chalkboard paint is acrylic.  But, that's the nice part about being a somewhat small surface inside a cabinet---it is not big deal if it doesn't last and in the meantime, I'll have fun with it!

I Belong With You . . .

For Christmas this year, I drew a really cool "tree" of words on my outdoor chalkboard.  Target had some paint pens in their "dollar bins" about that time, so I decided to give them a try.  I loved the way it created crisp white lines so easily.  But, with Christmas behind us, it was time to create something new on the front porch.

I took a spray bottle and paper towels out to wipe it clean, as I usually do.  But, unfortunately, chalkboard pens don't come off quite as easily as plain old chalk.

I re-read the small print on the pen (just to be sure I hadn't been mistaken about it being easily removed) and then tried again.   No luck.

I researched chalkboard pens online---everything I found stated that they are a little bit more stubborn than regular chalk and suggested using a little soap and water or even a Mr. Clean sponge.  Over the past few weeks, I have tried it all.  Along with LOTS of elbow grease!!  All to no avail.

Finally, last weekend, I gave up, bought a new can of Chalkboard paint, and started over.

I seasoned the board with chalk.

This time, I used just ordinary chalk.   The lines aren't as crisp or clean, but I know that it will erase with a little water when the time comes.

Chalkboard Signs

I love the chalkboard signs that dot the internet and blogland.  Jana made the neatest chalkboard for her front porch a few weeks ago---she even made the frame.   I even have a Pinterest board featuring quotes and such to inspire me.
I love this one with the lyrics from the Lumineers:

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Source: shop.lilyandval.com via Linda on Pinterest

and this one:

Source: babble.com via Linda on Pinterest

Just before Christmas, I used a can of chalkboard paint that I already had on hand to spray a piece of MDF that was left from another project. I've never wanted the chalk dust INSIDE my house, but outdoors I knew it wouldn't bother me at all, so I drew a 
Christmas wish on it and Ron hung it for me by the front door.

I changed it up around Valentine's Day that was inspired by this one:

Source: bloominghomestead.com via Linda on Pinterest

and then it fell off of the wall.
And there it sat for a couple of months.  But, last weekend, Ron hung it back up for me, which meant it was time for a new sketch.

 Inspired by the Clickin Moms Instagram challenge #CMGlimpse, I did a tribute to a favorite summertime treat.
Here's my newest chalkboard sketch: