Make Something Monday- Countdown To Disney Chalk board

 Make Something Monday! My favorite of all the days!

I love making stuff! Seriously, it's a problem. 

Today we are making a "Days Till Disney" Countdown Chalkboard and Frame. 

I love chalkboards, in fact I used to sell them. Here is the process for making a write-on chalkboard.

Supplies needed:

1/4 thickness Sheet of MDF from hardware store. $6.47

Chalkboard Paint (I prefer the spray paint) $3.60
Sharpie White China Marker $3.89

 Spray Paint Primer $5.57
Spray Paint (any color- for this project I used Apple Red) $4.58
Project Printable-Click here to download
Sandpaper-150 and 220 grit $7.97
White Chalk (VERY IMPORTANT YOU USE WHITE)

So, let's start with the chalkboard.

First, decide your size. I used 8x10. Measure out your board and cut. If this makes you nervous or you don't have the tools Home Depot will cut your board for free (not sure about Lowe's).

Once your board is cut to size paint the board with the chalkboard paint. Give it a couple of coats and let it cure for 24 hours.

The next step, seasoning the board, is very important. If you don't season the chalkboard you will see a ghost image of the first thing you write on it. Its also very important you use white chalk. Otherwise the board will have a tint of whatever color you use. Take a full piece of chalk and totally cover the board with the broad side. Next, erase it.

Season the chalkboard.

This is what it will look like after you season it, before you erase.

This is what it will look like after you erase it.

Print the template and trim to size. Now, season the BACK of the printable (don't erase the chalk though). Flip it over and put it on top of the chalkboard. If you need to tape it to the chalkboard to keep it still do so now. With a pen or pencil trace over my lettering. Remove the paper and set to the side for reference. When you remove the paper you will see a transfer of the image.

I have no idea why, but sometimes it transfers chalk and others it only leaves an outline. Either way you will have a pretty good idea of what the original image was.

Use the China Marker and trace over the transfer. Work backwards- start at the bottom right and work to the top left. Otherwise you will put your hand over the delicate transfer and loose your outline.

Get a rough outline, then go back and work on the detail.

If you are right handed start at the bottom left corner and work you way up.

It's important that you work from the inside of the outline so you don't make the letters fatter than they should be.

That's it! You will be able to write your "days till" number with regular chalk at the top without worry of erasing the wording.

Now onto the frame...

Clean up your awesome Goodwill picture frame. Remove the glass and recycle it. Frames with detail like this one work best with this process.

First spray it with primer-front and back

Now, start layering the colors. I want white under red so the next color I put down was white (this step could have been avoided if I had used white primer, but I was out so...). Also, this process works best with a flat finish.

Then the final color-red.

Let each coat thoroughly dry before adding a new one. Once you are finished let the frame dry for 24 hours. After it is totally dry use your 150 Grit sandpaper to distress the frame. Go for the general look that you like. Once its close to your liking, switch to the 220 grit for fine tuning.

Lastly, assemble for chalkboard and frame. Picture frames aren't always deep enough for the chalkboard and the backing that came with the frame. If this is the case you may have to use a staple gun to keep the chalkboard in the frame. 

Awesome! Done!

Let the count down begin! How many days will be on your board?