I was recently getting my home all decked out in Fall decor…   My house changes regularly, which presents a small snag when I put up seasonal decor , not everything fits where it use to! Well, I had a vacant spot on my  front entry shelf.  (You can get all the DIY details here.)

There was only one thing to be done.  It needed a customized  “Fall Themed”  chalkboard sign. (Obviously).

Materials Suggested:

• 1/4″ paneling
• flat black paint
• 1/2″ board
• White Colored pencil (prismacolor)
• OR  white permanent chalkboard marker
• Stain

Tools  I Used:

•  Table Saw
• Nail gun

Ok, so this is just a simple walk-through of what I did. I am sorry it is not a printable… I am not that good.  Anyways, I used a piece of cheap MDF paneling and painted it with FLAT black paint.  I then proceeded to add the design to my board.

I used “prisma color” white colored pencil, and a “permanent chalk marker”.  (With all of the chalkboard rage, it seems that craft suppliers have addressed the needs for more chalk writing utensils, check at your local craft store, they are everywhere.)

If you are not the  free-handing type,  consider  using a free printable,  or designing your sign on a free service like Picmonkey.  Then  simply use transfer paper, and then trace with the white. Easy Peasy.

Here is the design I chose to do :

To really  make my sign pop, I added a rustic wooden frame.  This is a quick and easy frame.   I used a 1×2″ board and cut out a small lip on one side. (See image below)

   I then measured out the size of my board and cut my 1×2’s to fit the dimensions. I cut the ends on 45 degree angles in order to create mitered corners.

   I simply  put a dab of glue on the face of the 45 degree cut, and then tacked it in place using a finish nailer.

  I  then added a quick coat of stain…

  Lastly, I added a small amount of wood glue to the back edge of the sign and then pressed it into place.

Voila.  All done.

Happy Fall Ya’ll and Take Luck All,

Corey

The post Fall Chalkboard Sign appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Front Entry 

      If you want to see how you can make your own  “Believe”  Chalkboard sign,  you can  check out this tutorial here! 

Sitting Room

        I have an awesome video showing how I made this chalkboard,  available here. Want to learn how to make your own “Who-Ville”  tree?  You should check out this tutorial here .

Family Room

   You can learn more about how I decorated this tree for CHEAP  here.

Dining Room

Entertaining guests  this Holiday season ?  I can help with that. COMING SOON a tutorial on how you  can create this Tablescape for CHEAP!  Stay tuned!

Kitchen

      You can get more info on this  chalkboard sign here.

 Hopefully these may  have sparked some ideas of your own, and best of luck for for all those getting ready for the Holidays!

Happy Holidays,

Corey

The post My Holiday Home Tour appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Home Depot carry a   2’x4′ panel of chalkboard for $10.    I know there are a lot of different options on chalkboard paint, but I have found this is cheaper and less labor intensive.

If you do not have your own table saw  I would suggest asking  someone in the lumber department to cut it to your desired size.  They are very helpful and will do it for free (within reason).

For the space I wanted mine to hang I  cut mine at 30″ wide and left the height at 24″.

Using a pencil and a straight edge I graphed in all the lines.  Make sure you do all of them,  even with a straight edge  it can be tricky and end up crooked.  Take it from me it is easier to make a mistake in pencil than paint!
If you are also following the same measurements as mine  there  is a  .5″ space between each  3.5″ square,  with a 1″ border on the bottom and sides, and 2.5″ space on top where the days of the week will go.

After you are content with the pencil out lines, take a paint marker and trace over your lines. For this step  I used the straight edge again, so that my lines would be nice and straight.

I then added the days of the week.  I typically freehand,  but if you are a  bit skeptical of your abilities,  you can always use  the pencil transfer method.  There is a great tutorial here.

Ta- Da, a one day project that doesn’t require a workshop, and it’s cute and practical!

Thanks for stopping by.

Corey

The post Chalkboard Calendar appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

So  I know that chalkboard paint is all the rage and there are plenty of tutorials on how to make your own.  This is not one.   I just wanted a sign that LOOKED like a chalkboard.  After putting in a  lot of effort on lettering I was not about to erase it. It was going to be permanent.

Here is what I did.

Supplies needed:

• 1×3 (2)                 =   $4
  Paneling              =   $5
  Black Paint          =  $1
  Liquid Nails        =  $2

1st step:

Paneling-  You can find this at Home Depot,  ask an associate where their “Handy Panels” are. (Handy panels are typically identified by their size. They are either 2’x2′ or 2’x4′  pieces.   You will have a lot of wood choices, just pick the cheapest  with a smooth finish.  OR if you want to save some time and possibly money (depending on if you have paint on hand).  They have chalkboard handy panels available at Home Depot.

Cut down your panel to  desired size , I  cut mine to 20″x48″.

2nd step:

If you bought a chalkboard panel,  skip this step.  If not paint your panel black with a flat/matte paint,  you just don’t want it glossy!

3rd Step:  Get creative!  There are  many places you can find vintage fonts, here are a few. This is where you come up with any saying or quotation you would like and use your favorite fonts, or  simply duplicate mine!

After you brainstorm your  message and favorite fonts,  you can either free hand or trace your letters!
You can simply print your letters off then use  tracing/transfer paper to transfer it.

Once you have your message on the board use either white paint or  these…

I love these markers,  but I have not found them in stores, but you can order them online.   Elmers does have version that is available in most  office/craft stores.

Simply  go over your traced letters with this marker and it will then be PERMANENT.  So make sure you like it.

Your board should look something like this.

4th Step:

Get out your 1×3’s

• Cut 2  @ 45″ short end to short end with 45 degree angles
• Cut 2  @ 17″ short end to short end with 45 degree angles

Sand them all down and then stain or paint.

5th Step:

Once 1×3’s are dry you will use your liquid nails and apply the 1×3’s directly yo the top of your chalkboard, creating a frame.  There should be about 1.5″ of  1×3 board that will sit on top of the chalk board.

I actually  did this from all leftover supplies,  so I have a nice large custom art piece for free!

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