Custom Chalkboard Tutorial

I love thrifting/junking/garage saling!!  Whatever you want to call it...I love it!  I have since my mom and Nana took me as a little girl.  I would have my own money in a little purse or bag and try to find the best deal.  Now that I'm a little older, my styles have changed, but the thrill of getting a good deal never fades.  Now I have added a new dimension to this fascination.  Upcycling.  I really like to take old things and make something newer and cooler.  This chalkboard tutorial is a perfect example.

Here goes...First, you go to Goodwill or some other such store and buy an old picture with a cool frame in the size you want your chalkboard.   I wish I had the foresight to take a pic of the frame I bought, but I was so excited to try this I forgot:( 

I searched and searched for the perfect backboard, and I finally thought "Wouldn't it be great if I could just use the glass that came in the frame?"  Well, as it turns out, You can!!  Just sand it a little with 100 grit sandpaper and clean with alcohol.  It's the little things that make me happy!  lol

Go get you some flat paint.  You only need one cup.  I had some leftover turquoise that I used.  But if you don't have any you could just buy that little tester sample they sell for a few bucks at the box stores.  This batch will cover approx. the size of one door. 

Then you add in 2 TBSP of unsanded tile grout and mix, mix, mix.

Be sure to get all the lumps out.  Get a small little roller and roll your paint onto the glass.  Do thin layers and keep it as smooth as you can.  It's not hard at all.  I did about 4-5 layers and made sure to let each layer dry completely in between.  It will look like this.

Let it dry overnight, it's hard to wait, I know.  But it's worth it. 

When it has completely dried, sand it with 220grit sandpaper.  This smooths it out and gets rid of any bumps.  Now, get a piece of white chalk and rub the edge all over to prime the chalkboard.  This prevents a permanent engravement of your first message!

And Voila!! You're done!

I really want to try some other colors, but I just had to show you guys!  Of course, you could also buy the pre-mixed chalkboard paint at Hobby Lobby and other such stores, but they will only be in your basic green and black. 

Finally, pick out a coordinating color for your frame or leave it as is, if you like it.  Have fun and be creative!  The possibilities are endless.  I have a few color schemes I am dying to try, with gray and yellow at the top of my list! 

 What's your favorite color combos right now?