The DIY Trick to Easy Chalkboard Lettering

So by now most of you have probably noticed that hand lettering AND chalkboards are experiencing a massive resurgence these days, right?  I've always admired people with mad hand lettering skills, especially those who can whip up beautiful chalkboard art. I, on the other hand, am not a handwriting artist, my chalkboard penmanship is typically very sad, and pitiful, and perhaps, even a little serial killer looking. It probably doesn't help that I can't stand the texture of chalk! Well, guess what? You can fake your way to purrty chalkboard lettering and it's so dang easy!

Folks, I seriously can slap myself for not trying this sooner. This no-secret technique has been making its rounds on Pinterest for awhile now. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm fashionably late to EVERYTHING, including DIY trends. And by "fashionable", I mean you can usually find me in one of my five black cardigans.

First thing you need is a chalkboard.
I picked up this cute hanging one from Michaels and stained and then painted it for a weathered look.

Next you need a print out of the lettering or design you would like to use on your chalkboard.
You can either design your own art or Google/Pinterest search for one you like instead.
That's what I did! I wanted to design something Fall-ish, did a quick search with my dear friend, Pinterest, and was instantly smitten with this free printable from Dawn Nicole Designs 

Flip your paper over so that the image is facing down.
Rub over the back of the paper with the side piece of chalk.

Turn your paper right side up and position it on your chalkboard.
Using a pencil trace the outline of your lettering or design.
This is the exact same technique I used many moons ago when I was creating my Doxie Silhouette Art

The outline of your image should transfer on to your chalkboard like so......

Now here's the secret sauce for this hand lettering recipe; chalk markers!
You can use a sharpened piece of chalk if you're looking for something less permanent but in my case I wanted to create a piece of Fall art that I could pull out every Autumn. Just trace over your chalkboard lines with your chalk marker and allow to dry.

This was my first time working with chalkboard markers and I admit I was little hesitant at first that this would be disastrous. I have used paint markers in the past and was never impressed.
I used a chalk marker from a company called Chalkola. They had recently sent me a set of their markers to try out and thankfully for the sake of my patience, they went beyond my expectations.

They were super simple to work with and weren't runny
like I had anticipated a chalk marker to be. The drying time was SUPER quick. Even though I only used the white marker for this project, I was extremely impressed with how vibrant the color was! I can't wait to try out the other colors.

You can purchase your own set of Chalkola markers either on Amazon or through their website.
Hard to believe the holidays are upon us, but these would make for a fun gift for any young artists you have in your house or just keep them for yourself and make fun chalkboard art like me!

I feel like I'm a part of the cool hand lettering club now, even if I faked my way into it!
I already have plans to go bigger and make something really fun for Christmas. Stay tuned!

Has anyone else played with chalk markers lately?
By the way, someone please send help, when it comes to Fall decorating, I can't stop!
If you follow on Instagram you can see how I just keep going and going and going.
Pretty soon.....someone needs to stage an intervention.

PS. ** Chalkola has kindly offered a 20% off code for Delightfully Noted Readers on any chalk marker purchase on Amazon. Enter code CHALK20A

*Disclaimer: I received a free set of Chalkola markers for review. All opinions on this product were 100% my own **This post contains affiliate links, which means if you decide to make a purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional. This in no way affects my opinion on these products. Thanks for supporting this blog and a craftaholic.

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How to Make Faux Chalkboard Tags

I am all about the chalkboard craze right now but a quart of 

chalkboard paint or a sheet of chalkboard vinyl can be expensive.

They're like blood diamonds. Okay, so I exaggerate a bit, but they are pretty pricey for when you just want to do a quick, small project.

Aside from the cost there's also the whole fact that I CAN NOT STAND the feeling of chalk.

The texture and the powdery mess it leaves behind on your hands makes me cringe.

And don't even get me started on the way a piece of chalk moves across the board.

Eck, it's like nails on a chalkboard. No pun intended.

So if you're either A) a cheapskate or

B) a chalk-phobia-freakazoid like me then this project will be right up your alley.

 

I had a little wire basket I had scored from one of my recent thrift shop adventures that I wanted to use to help organize some of my spools of ribbon.

The basket was just calling for a chalkboard tag & since I didn't have any of the materials on hand {and because there is that whole fear of chalk thing} I created a little faux chalkboard instead.

The best part was I used items sitting around in my craft closet so the whole project was F-R-E-E.

Fist bump to that.

 

Materials needed:

*Small pieces of craft pine wood {sold in the wood aisle of most craft stores}

*Drill

*Black Spray Paint

*Vinyl or Stencil

*White Galaxy Marker {or any kind of paint pen should do}

*Twine or Ribbon

 

First, I drilled a hole on each end of my piece of wood.

Then I spray painted the wood tag black and allowed it to dry.

 

Then with my Silhouette machine I cut the word "Ribbon" from a piece of scrap vinyl & applied it to the top of my wooden tag. If you don't own a cutting machine you could always use a stencil or just freehand it.

Then with your paint marker start to fill in your stencil.

Don't worry about filling in the stencil completely.

I found using a back and forth coloring motion was the best way to achieve that chalkboard effect.

 

Remove the vinyl and allow the marker part to dry.

Then tie the tag onto your item of choice; basket, gift box, cat..........

 

If you don't have alot of these supplies on hand then it may be worth just going ahead and splurging on the can of chalkboard paint but if you're looking for something more permanent and you do own alot of these materials already then "faux" away.

 

 

Some of you may remember the old tv cabinet turned craft hutch I shared many moons ago.

That's exactly where this little basket of ribbon made it's home.

 

So there you have it, faux chalkboard tags!

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Office Organization: Chalkboard Magazine Holder

I started remodeling our home office shortly after Christmas when I realized running up and down stairs for supplies that were scattered in multiple rooms was not going to cut it. It was great exercise for the quads but not efficient when you’re running a home based business. One of my goals in remodeling the studio office {I'm hoping by using the word "studio" it brainwashes you guys into thinking that I am bona fide professional artist} was to have a place for everything and that includes all the craft and biz magazines I have lying around. When we first moved into our home we had purchased this magazine rack from Ikea.



{SPONTAN Magazine Rack in Silver from IKEA}

It served its purpose well in our previous office but it was a bit too industrial looking for the style I am trying to achieve in the new “studio”. So I decided to freshen it up a bit by busting out the good 'ol white spray paint.

Then I spotted these miniature picture frames in the dollar section at Michaels.  I had an “aha” moment when I laid eyes on them and the bonus was they were an additional 80% off.

They were a fun color but I wanted to bring in some other colors from my “studio” so I removed the backs of the frames and spray-painted them a nice, light khaki color. Then for my “aha” moment  {which don’t come often enough}, I remembered I had some large oval chalkboard labels lying around just waiting to be used.  So I traced and cut out three-square shapes from the labels.  I hot glued the labels to the backs of the frames.  Then I took my chalkboard frames and adhered them to the front of the magazine rack.

{Peek into my "studio"}

Tada! I’m really happy with the way it came out and I am always delighted when I get to reuse things that are lying around the house.

Chalkboard decals are all the rage right now and I can totally see why! Chalkboards are an easy and fun way to personalize, organize, and decorate your home.  You can find all kinds of chalkboard “ware” on Etsy at stores like Braden’s Grace.

Isn’t it easier to stay organized when you have somewhere fun and pretty to put your stuff? I’m thinking chalkboard frames on the front of magazine baskets would look cute too!

I’d love to share the whole “studio” remodel with you someday but I am warning you I am very slow and meticulous in the way I decorate.  So you may need to stick around till like 2014 to see it.

Linking here:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/
http://dittledattle.blogspot.com/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/
http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/
http://tipjunkie.com/
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/
http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/
http://www.lilluna.com/
http://www.craftyconfessions.com/
http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/
http://www.somewhatsimple.com/
http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com/
http://thefrugalgirls.com/
http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

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