Thrifty Thursday – DIY Chalkboard Frame

Every so often, I like to start a new series.  In addition to the current
“Love Letters” & “Font Fun”, I’ve decided add something to the mix.
Introducing….

Thrifty Thursdays

Each post within this series will highlight a DIY project.  It might be a frugal find that I happened upon at a local thrift shop or garage sale. You just never know what is waiting to be scooped up!  It may have been spotted on Pinterest, in a magazine, or on a fellow blog.  Whether it was something I made or someone else provided the inspiration, the original source will always be mentioned and given proper credit!  

With that being said, welcome to… 

Thrifty Thursday – MVP CHALKBOARD

Inspired by:  Sincerely Sara D

Check out her amazing work, along with the original post HERE!!
You could spend hours upon hours browsing her blog (I suggest you do) and admiring the many home decor projects she writes about.

After coming across Sara’s post on how to create the perfect lettering on a chalkboard, I decided to give it a whirl.  I. JUST. SO. HAPPENED to find exactly what I was looking for…the first place I looked!!  After stopping at a local thrift store, I picked up this beauty for $5.  The best part about this mirror is that it has a stand.  It can sit nice and pretty on a table if you’d prefer not to hang it.  This was a selling point, to say the least!

I chose Krylon Colormaster in Cherry Red for this frame, which will be put on display at my son’s Sports Themed First Birthday party that is just around the corner.   Use 2 coats for the frame.  Be sure to spray far enough away so you don’t get those dreaded drip marks.  After about 30 minutes to an hour, go back and add the 2nd coat.  To give it more of a shiny finish, you can add some lacquer.  Krylon carries this in spray paint form as well!  It works wonders!      

The next step is to clean the mirror with glass cleaner.  This will allow the chalk paint to adhere with a smoother finish.  You can use either a brush or a roller when applying the paint, but I prefer to use a roller.  For this project, I used Rustoleum brand chalk paint.  Don’t try to get the final results in one coat.  After all was said and done, I used about 3 separate coats of the chalk paint. (TIP: Try to avoid windy days or areas with a lot of dust in the air.  As the paint is drying, I found myself picking off little hairs and dust particles from the black paint.  It really is quite noticeable.)

As you let the frame and mirror dry, it is time to start the design process. You can use any program to create your phrasing.  I particularly like Ipiccy.  It is a simpler version of Photoshop.  To download the “OUR LITTLE MVP” phrasing, click HERE.   Once you have printed out your lettering, turn the page over completely and cover the back side with chalk. It doesn’t matter what kind, but I like to use white.

Once finished, turn the paper back over and put it on top of the chalkboard.  You can tape it so it stays in place and doesn’t move while you are tracing. Next, take a pen or pencil and trace firmly over the entire design. As you can see in the picture to the left, I chose font with a lot of details – little lines and scribbles.  This becomes more difficult to trace if you don’t use enough chalk or trace hard enough. Each design will differ.  When you are done and remove the paper, you should see a faint outline of your design.  

Now, it’s time for the final step.  Go grab your Chalk-Ink pen and trace over your outline. The best part about the Chalk-Ink pens (see Sara’s tutorial above for where she purchased them!) is that you can use water to erase any mistakes you make or the design entirely.  Once Ethan’s birthday party is over, I plan to wash away this design and add something new so I can put it in our home.  The colors match perfectly with some of our dining room decor.   

So there you have it!  The final result. The next time you’re out and about, perusing the aisles of a thrift shop, be on the lookout for a gem that can use a little help. You never know the potential it has or what it can transform into!