Make Perfect Chalkboard Art

I purchased this great framed chalkboard second hand and instantly knew it needed to go in my kitchen. The kitchen also happens to be the entrance to our home, so I loved the idea of hanging something customizable and to have it where people can see it. 

You have to be a bit computer savvy to create the template for the chalkboard in the way I have. I'm using simple and common software programs that most people should know enough about. If you have Photoshop, you're using more advanced programs than I am and should know what you're doing. I also did also look at stencils in stores and either couldn't find what I wanted, or they were too expensive. You do have the option to shop for one if you wish. My way also allows for customization of the size according to the dimensions of your chalkboard (you can't with a pre-made stencil). You can also reuse the designs with the way I'm going to show you.

Step 1: Preparing the template - create a Word document

First you need to start by measuring your chalkboard area. Create a new Word document and size the document to match the size of your chalkboard. Mine is 19"x19". When designing within the Word document, remember the edge of the Word page is also the edge of your chalkboard - you don't want the design to be too big/too small.

Search the Internet for chalkboard design templates and ideas, making sure to find some fairly large in size and resolution. Some designs come outlined already. The design I liked was filled with black and I needed to print it to a fairly large size, so I didn't want to waste black ink.

Crop any watermarks or borders you don't want and insert your template into Word and stretch it to size, remembering to not get too close to the edge. If you lose quality (lines become pixilated or blurry), you'll need to find a design in a larger resolution. Right click the image and find "Format Picture". You'll want to adjust the Brightness and Contrast until just the outline is left. You can ignore this step if your template already has an outline. Save the Word document as a PDF.

Adjust brightness and contrast so just outlines are left.

Template should look like this after editing.

Step 2: Print the template and tile the pages for large chalkboards

You'll need to print the PDF file and tile the pages if the design is larger than the paper size your printer can print. Arrange the tiled pages and put them together like a puzzle. There will be some cutting and taping involved and I suggest using scotch tape because you'll need to trace over the tape in a later step. Trim any excess paper from around the design and see if it will fit on your chalkboard.

Left: Taping and cutting the template; Right: It fits!

Step 3: Next you'll need to have the design facing down and colour with a stick of chalk on its side, all over the back of the printed design. This is my easy way of making "carbon paper". Coat it really good and if you can, use a dark coloured chalk so you can see what you're doing. Place the design chalk side down, carefully where you want it on the chalkboard, and secure with masking tape or painters tape. With a pencil (not too sharp), you'll need to start tracing the entire design. Hopefully when the tracing is complete, you'll be left with a copy in chalk on the chalkboard. I could just barely make out my design but was able to freehand some missing spots by having a smaller version of the design beside me.

Step 4: Now for the fun part! I bought this (expensive enough) chalk marker at Michaels ($5.79) by Craft Smart and I have to say, I wasn't overly impressed with it. I would compare it to using paint - you need to keep fluid motions and not stop when drawing or it's hard to make end and beginning lines look similar. I'm right handed, and I had to work from left to right and top to bottom because chalk pens do smudge. It did the job fine but maybe a bit more practice and I can get it to look the way I want. I also decided to not fill my design in with this chalk marker because I didn't want to "waste" it. I opted to fill in the words with plain old chalk and used a blow dryer to remove the excess chalk. For colouring the shapes, I tried the very inexpensive chalk crayons I bought from a dollar store ($2.50), and they worked the best of everything and next time I'd like to fill letters with these. The colours came out vibrant and with nice textures. Using my fingers I smeared chalk from my "carbon copy" template around the outside of the chalkboard to finish the look. All the chalk pens and crayons claim to be washable from a chalkboard with a bit of soapy water, so we shall see about that.

I'm sure there are other techniques you can try to create chalkboard art. I had fun doing this anyway and can't wait to change my chalkboard in a few months.

Yard Sale Flip

If you're lucky enough to find something at a yard sale that you already have an idea for, and one that is easy to work with, then you're already a step ahead. I was lucky this time. I found this galvanized pail at a yard sale and it had a design on one side, but nothing on the other side.
Lots of potential!

Here's my great find! (I'm in Canada and don't really have ties to the U.S.)

And the other side only had colour - no design.

You'll need to find, or make, a template for your stencil. I found this one here.

Cut out your template. You'll need some double sided tape and spray paint. I used Tremclad rust paint in flat black.

The tape needs to be as close to the edges as possible so the template sticks completely flat to the object you're painting, You may also have to find a substitute for double sided tape if what you're painting is delicate. I didn't find it too aggressive though. You could also try "de-sticking"? the tape by applying and removing the template to some clothing a few times.

Apply the template and smooth flat, making sure there are no air bubbles.

The spray paint covered very good. This Tremclad paint had primer in it too.

You should wait until it dries before removing the template. I sprayed too close the first time and I knew some paint dripped behind the template, so I wanted to remove it before it dried to try to fix it. Remember to not spray too close to start so you can get a feel for how the paint sprays out.

So it's not perfect and there is some smudging, but that's no big deal. To fix the paint that dripped behind the template, I scraped it with an Exacto knife. And because that scraped the original paint off too, I just made it part of the design all the way around.

And that's it. I'll probably leave it outside to use as a planter. If it rusts a little, it will just add to the look of the design.

Five Ways to Decorate with Antique Windows

I love old windows. There's so much history and character in them. Here's five ways I have decorated using antique windows in my home.

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#1

Any kind of decal can add so much to the glass of the window and can help incorporate your style to the decoration. You can use words or interesting designs. Decal found at RoomMates Peel and Stick Decor.

Side note: These decals are by far the best I've found. You can re-position as many times as you want until you get it right. They don't leave residue and don't peel paint off even after they have been there for a few years. I have found that if they are on the wall for a long time (I took one off that was there three years), and depending on the design of the decal, it's hard to not tear the decal itself while removing it. I had purchased this one for my son's bedroom three years ago and just removed "Baby." It was hard to save it (although I don't know why or if you would want to save them?)

#2

As a backdrop for a vignette. Use the window frame to hang decor off of or frame an image.

(Eventually I will pin the hats to the frame, rather than have them hanging on the wall, like pictured. Who else hates filling and re-touching holes in the wall?!)

#3

There's a lot going on in this picture, but the large window on the bottom right is one of the old storm windows from the farmhouse. The pieces at the top are old decorative fascia. Bring inside what was once outside to create a rustic gallery wall.

#4

Here's an example of how you can incorporate decals to fit a specific design and purpose. This one is over my washer and dryer. This window came from our barn and the decals have been applied directly to the wall.
Decal found at RoomMates Peel and Stick Decor.

#5

Here's my favourite way to use old screened windows. These are also from the farmhouse (I found these and the one from #3 idea in the basement.) The photos are Instagram prints from Social Print Studio. They are attached using Dollar Store or craft store flat base stud earring parts. I attached them using scrap-booking foam mounting squares, found in the same store you found the earring parts. Then just stick the stud through a hole in the screen (they just fit in these old screens), and attach in place with an earring stud back stopper. I can remove the mounting squares when I want to change the photos and reuse the earring parts, AND I can keep the photos.

Tip: Kid-Friendly Garden

This lovely old water hand pump used to be in my mom's garden and I remember playing with it as a kid. Well she passed it on to me for my own garden. And it never crossed my mind that my own kids would like to play with it. After I realized this, I quickly found this nice flat stone for them to stand on to play with the pump without crushing any flowers. So, if you decide to use any garden decor that may look fun for a kid to play with, make sure you make a spot for them to enjoy it and make their own memories with.

My $1 Key Hook

Thrift store shopping: it's so much fun and you find the weirdest and most wonderful things. Every time. A few weeks ago I found this black wooden star for $1. Yes $1!!! I also found a cute little upholstered stool and its lid opens up (the kids love it), and a macrame plant hanger. A good haul in my opinion.
I moved some things on my walls to make room for a new-to-me antique hoosier cupboard (more on that in a future post) and that meant I had to get rid of my peg hook where I hung keys before (a garage sale find). After searching Homesense for a replacement, unsuccessfully I might add, this idea came to me.

My $1 wooden star(!) and some hooks I removed from walls of the farmhouse when we moved in.

Drawing my design on. I used the idea here for inspiration.

Painting the design with acrylic paint - a work in progress.

The finished design.

The hooks I decided to use. Then I laid them out and marked the positions on the star. I just had to hand screw them in.

The finished product.

I always keep picture hanging supplies around and it was simple to install this one.

And now I have a one of a kind key hook that cost me $1, and completed it with things I already had around the house.