Wednesday, July 7, 2021

DIY A Purple Chalkboard

 

I am not a lists maker - except when it comes to craft ideas that I get and immediately have to write them down, lol!  But I have never had to write down a grocery list - except for getting recipe ingredients. Previously, I could go to the grocery store and remember what I needed. But now, as I get older, I find myself forgetting items I need to buy. 

So it's time to make a shopping list chalkboard - perfect for this month's DIY Challenge which is all about Chalkboards! If you're coming over from Carol @ Bluesky at Home wasn't her Chalkboard sign with chalkart adorable!  For me, this challenge is not just in your regular blackboard style either - but one done in my favorite color, purple! And would you believe, the chalkboard paint is homemade too! And the best part, you only need three ingredients to make chalkboard paint - acrylic paint, Plaster of Paris, and water! How cool is that!

Materials to make a Purple Chalkboard:
Paint brushes
Acrylic paints - white/purple
Water
White chalk
Damp microfiber cloth

Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

Let's begin with a unfinish wood board. I already had an unfinished wood framed board (20"x10") in my stash, but you can turn just about anything into a chalkboard these days!
Next, tape off the frame with painter's tape to paint the frame white (my cabinets are white) and let dry for an hour. Then apply a second coat and let dry for a couple of hours.
Once the frame is dry, it's  time to mix the chalkboard paint. The ratio of mixing the ingredients to make chalkboard paint is:
 
             3 parts acrylic paint 
            2 parts Plaster of Paris
            1 part water

Easy, isn't it! Since the acrylic paint comes in small 2fl oz. bottles, I started mixing 3 tablespoons of paint (Americana Dioxazine 'Dark' Purple) with 2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris and 1 tablespoon of water - stirring well until nice and smooth. It's quite easy to make more for additional coats in case I don't have enough to cover the board, using the same measurements.

Next, tape off the frame area and begin painting the board .  .  .
until .  .  .
the area is completely painted. Apply at least two more coats - drying between coats for a nice chalkboard finish! 

Then, the chalkboard needs to be seasoned once it is completely dry. You have to season a newly painted chalkboard because if you don't there will always be a faint image of whatever you first wrote on the board. And it's quite easily done by covering the whole surface with chalk, first vertically .  .  .
and then horizontally .  .  .
wiping it clean with a damp cloth afterwards.
Then attach command strips to the back and hang in your favorite spot!
The only space I had in my kitchen that would work was on the side of a cabinet.  I would have liked to put it on the side of my fridge, but the area was not wide enough. The good thing about using command strips is that I can remove the chalkboard whenever I like.

Now, time to make a shopping list and a little bit of dooling!
Don't think I'll be forgetting to buy anything from now on!

Welcome to our monthly DIY Challenge hosted by Terrie @Decorate and More with Tip! On the first Wednesday of the month, Terrie hosts a DIY Challenge with a group of talented bloggers who love to create budget friendly décor for their homes. For the month of July we were tasked with a Chalkboard Challenge


Next up is Tammy @Patina and Paint sharing her tutorial on how to make a hanging blackboard! To see more chalkboard ideas, click on the blog titles below to checkout their awesome creations: 

 

Decorate and More with Tip

Cloches and Lavender

Kelli's Olympic Nest

Bluesky at Home

Purple Hues and Me

 

Patina and Paint

13 comments:

  1. Oh, my goodness Gail! I would never have thought to make my own color of chalk paint. And I make just about everything. Such a brilliant idea. I am definitely going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You are quite welcome, Tammy! Wish we had color chalkboards way back when! They would have presented a greater variety of creativity!

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  2. How special this is Gail. My husband would love it , because his favorite color is purple. Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! Haven't come across a hubby who likes purple. How wonderful! He probably has lots of interesting ideas on using the color!

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  3. Gail, I am like you I never write a list, I need too but don't. With that cute chalkboard I would have to make a list. I love the chalkboard paint tutorial, I didn't know how to make it, so thank you for the recipe.

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    1. Thanks, Terri! I didn't realize how easy it is to make chalkboard paint! Imagine all the different color chalkboard items you can make!

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  4. Huh, I have made my own chalkpaint before but didn't think it would actually work for a chalkboard. Brilliant! So much cheaper than buying the specialty paint. I had to laugh at your line about forgetting things the older you get. So true. I am a list person when it comes to work and like you didn't feel like I needed to do that at home...until now. Looks great, Gail.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kelli! Yes, making your own chalkboard paint is so much cheaper and you're not limited as to the colors you might want! I love it!

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  5. Gail, What a great way to keep your grocery list front and center. It's amazing how versatile chalk paint can be. Enjoy your new sign and organization.

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  6. This is a good way to be able to do a grocery list at the spur of a moment.. I never have a piece of paper or pen on hand , then i forget everything..
    Will definetly have to do this, love it!!
    Teresa!

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  7. Colored chalkboard paint? The possibilities are endless! I have a few chalkboards in my house but I bought my paint...not anymore! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ's.

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  8. I had no idea you can make your own chalkboard paint! What a world of possibilities this opens up! Looks fab!

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  9. I love this!!!! I always love chalkboards and their usefulness but a purple one. Purple is my favorite color so I'm definitely making one of these. Thanks for sharing on Handmade Mondays.

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