Monday, October 26, 2009

Magnetic Chalkboard Art Project

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At the beginning of this month, I posted this $7.99 frame from Hobby Lobby as the Bargain Find of the Week. At the time, I didn’t know how I was going to fill the frame or where exactly I would place it in the house. But I am a firm believer of letting things sit until you find some inspiration and have a clear vision of how you want a finished project to look and feel.

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I found my inspiration for this project in several places. First, one day I walked in the front door and noticed the empty frame sitting on the easel. I hadn’t noticed it immediately after placing the frame and easel in that spot, but I noticed that day that it could be clearly seen when standing in my front entryway. That is when it occurred to me that I should make some sort of message board.

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But what kind of message board? I had seen some great chalkboard projects done all over blog land, but I just never thought I could fit a black or dark grey chalkboard into my Family Room decor. Then I found a jar of BROWN chalkboard paint from Joann’s. Perfect! I still wanted to add a little sparkle to the chalkboard though. I found that inspiration over at Shanty 2 Chic’s Too Cute Magnets! If you haven’t done so already, please check out these two wonderful ladies’ blog. They have some terrific projects and I also won their most recent giveaway (I love my pink hammer!). Whitney’s project inspired me to use a magnetic paint primer under my chalkboard paint so I could attach some sparkly letters to the board also.

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So I used the hardboard backing from this poster frame (I will be using the acrylic front in another project to be completed soon) and added so many coats of magnetic primer that I actually lost count. I think it was about 4 or 5 though. The instructions said that the magnetic receptivity increased with the amount of coats added and I wanted to make sure my magnets would stick. I then went over the top with 2 coats of the brown chalkboard paint.

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I found the exact same letters Whitney used on sale for $5.99 at Joann’s last week. I spray painted and embossed them and added pieces of magnet sheets to the back of each letter.

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That pack of punch out comes with tons of letters. So far, I have enough to spell out Welcome, Happy Harvest, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Happy Easter. I plan to decorate all of these letters and change out my message board seasonally. I think this is another one of my most favorite projects so far. And to think it all started with a $12.50 easel and $7.99 frame that I thought was just too good of a bargain to pass up!

I am linking up to Kimba's Diy Day at A Soft Place to Land. Go check out the great projects!

16 comments:

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

I deal it was! What a great idea!!!

Turley Times said...

I had no idea there was such a thing as brown chalkboard paint! I love it!

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Way to go Annette!! It turned out so cute... I love where you put it too!! Your home is BEAUTIFUL!

~Whitney

Dayka Robinson said...

Wow, what a smart idea. I really love using the brown chalkboard paint instead of black, especially with your room. BTW, what color is that on your walls? I really like it (and everything looks so perfect in there, too!).

Room to Inspire said...

I love this! And I really love the colors - of this and your home!

Chelsea

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Very classy! Well done.

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

Oh, it turned out beautifully! Great job! Love the embossing!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

What a great idea!

BJ_Mama said...

So elegant too!

Anonymous said...

What a clever idea! I love that you're going to change it out and that you can see it from the entry to your home. Great job!

pk @ Room Remix

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Great idea! I love that it is a magnetic board and a chalkboard.

Delightful Dwelling said...

Wow it looks great! I didn't know they made brown chalkboard paint, it looks so classy. I love the letters too, such a neat idea.

Leanne said...

It looks beautiful. I love the brown chalkboard paint too. Your house looks beautiful and inviting. Thanks for sharing.

AG said...

ooh you are so crafty! you have a beautiful home, I love everything you have done!
-ginai((:

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

$7.99 ??? amazing!
Lucky you, it looks fabulous!
gail

Dayka Robinson said...

They have some really great stuff, it just goes so fast! I just got some chairs from there last night, so I'm excited to post them when I'm done. I really wanted to go off on that dude, but it benefits a men's recovery shelter, so I decided to let it go. I'll be prepared, next time!

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