Chalkboard Project

Chalkboards are a great way to keep organized without adding to our landfills and
without harming any trees! And creating a chalboard is a great do-it-yourself
project you can make with scrap materials you just may have lying around in
your garage or basement. Get your kids involved! They will be proud of the result
and will love being able to "scribble on the wall" without getting in trouble! This
project can take as little as one hour, so plan a fun family project and build
something together!!

Here's how:
1 piece of scrap lumber
1 qt Chalkboard Paint
1 mini paint roller for each child
1 mini paint tray
drop cloth(s)
1 piece sandpaper
1 microfiber cloth or tack cloth
1 piece of molding, the approximate width of your board
cordless drill
2 heavy screws
picture hanging wire
hammer
100 lb picture hook

Start with a scrap piece of lumber, anything you might have leftover from a
previous project. Sand if necessary. Clean with slightly damp microfiber cloth or
tack cloth. No need for primer as chalkboard paint goes on very thick and dries
with lightning speed. Chalkboard paint comes in a variety of colors now, so have
fun and choose a color that will blend into your decor. Let you kids do the
painting. NO worries about precision here. Chalkboard paint is incredibly
forgiving, though do use plenty of heavy drop cloths or paint outside if you and
the kids want to relax and have fun:)

While you are waiting for your chalkboard to dry, have the kids begin painting
your piece of molding. If you don't have any leftover pieces, ask your local lumber
yard to cut you a piece or to sell you a scrap piece.

If you already have molding in the room in which you will hang your chalkboard it
would be a great idea to try and match your existing paint color for a designer
look.

Once your board is dry, lightly apply a second coat of paint.
After that is dry, turn board over, onto the unpainted side and pre-drill 4 holes.
One all the way on the right side close to the edge about half-way down the board
and then a matching one on the left side. These will be for hanging. Then drill 2
more, evenly-spaced holes all the way at the bottom of your board that will help
secure the molding.

Start with the 2 screws on the upper section of your board. Insert both screws
into your pre-drilled holes and screw into place with a screwdriver. Be sure not to
make screws flush with your board. Leave the screws sticking out a little bit. We
want to leave room on each screw for wrapping and securing the picture wire.
Cut a sufficient amount of picture wire- approximately twice the width of your
board and begin twisting and wrapping around the screw on the left. Once that is
secure, leaving enough wire for give, wrap and twist the remaining wire around
the screw on the right.

Still working on the unfinished side, line up your 2 screws with your pre-drilled
holes at the bottom of your board and begin screwing through- but just before
your screws pop through to the painted side, line up your molding. Since this will
be used as your chalk and eraser ledge, place it as close to the bottom as you
can. Press molding firmly to the ground and with molding in place, use your drill
to continue attaching the molding to the front side of your board. Molding is
usually very soft and no need for pre-drilling but if you find it necessary, please
feel free!

Hammer your 100 lb picture hook into place, hang your chalkboard and revel in
the fact that you and your family have created something useful and beautiful
together. Now, start drawing!!!