Chalkboard Tutorial Using Door Mirror

This is a tutorial for a chalkboard made from an over the door mirror. I have another tutorial for a chalkboard made from a picture frame. Click here to jump to that. 

I am in LOVE with my brand new chalkboard! Earlier today I was beginning to think it may not turn out (more on that later), but it's absolutely perfect.

So, here's how it worked! Before I tell you how it works-- it wasn't super easy, but it definitely wasn't difficult.

Friday after work we headed to Home Depot
:: Chalkboard paint (The kind you actually paint, not spray paint)
:: Primer (Any kind will work)

This is the kind I got. Valspar. 

:: Brushes (I got cheap ones, probably $1.25 each)
:: Paint for the frame of my mirror (You can read more about that here because I used it for my other project). I got the $2.49 sample ones for the wall in a color I'm not fond of learning to like.
:: Painter's tape

Next up we headed to Target
:: Cheap over the door mirror (I'm not kidding, it was $3)
:: Tiny paint brushes (These are in the kids school section-- I think Rose Art was the brand we got)

*Make sure your frame has a way to hang it up. 
*If you get a mirror that can be taken out of the frame, you've got it easy! Otherwise, painter's tape will come in handy.

Here's what you do
:: First things first, cover your work space with lots of newspaper or crummy towels.
:: Get your primer and cover the whole thing-- mirror and frame. It doesn't have to be super think, and 1 coat will be just perfect. Try not to glob it. :)

:: After you've primed it, let it dry overnight or for about 6-8 hours.

:: After it's completely dry get your painter's tape and go to town. I was a little overly-obsessive, which is not necessary. Just cover the frame so you don't get any chalkboard paint on it. If you do that's OK, because you'll be painting it a different color anyway. 

:: Next up get your chalkboard paint and get going! 

Aren't you glad I used painter's tape?

:: Step back and let it dry about 2 hours. (I know, this waiting is insane!) After 2 hours, paint another coat of chalkboard paint and wait about 6-8 hours. 

:: After it's dry, peel off the the painter's tape and (using your tiny paint brush) paint the frame of your mirror using the color of your choosing. This part wasn't hard, but it was time consuming. If you have someone willing to help (no kids!), have them sit at one end and paint while you do the other. 

:: Let the frame part dry for a couple hours (2) and then do another coat. Trust me it will be worth it! Let the frame part dry for another 4-6 hours.

:: Sit back and enjoy! Have your handsome husband hang it up.

See my other project to the left? Click here for that one.

Enjoy! I hope this tutorial has helped! xO

Repainting a Picture Frame/Memory Box

I knew I wanted to put up these two beautiful memory boxes my stepmom made me-- one when my mom died and one when my grandmother died. They are just beautiful, but because they were made so many years ago, the frames needed some lovin'.

I knew I wanted a shade of blue but wasn't too particular with what shade. (I wish I was a bit pickier because the color I picked is a bit too grey for my taste). 

So off to Home Depot we went:

:: 2 containers of sample wall paint. They are $2.50 a piece but I definitely did not need 2-- 1 would have been just enough.

:: 2 paint brushes. (I'm working on another project that will be posted later). I went with cheap ones because this is a one time project and I'm NOT a painter. 

:: Painters tape

:: Junky towels or newspaper

I came home about $14 poorer. The most expensive item was the painters tape. Luckily we got a big roll and we'll use it for other stuff around the apartment.

I was really obsessive about taping the frame because I could not get the glass out for the life of me. You won't need painters tape if you can get the glass out of your frame. It took me about 20 minutes of sitting on the floor. I didn't do the inside of the glass, I was just extra careful.

Paint, paint, paint! I wish I had tips on how to paint. I guess just be sure you line your floor/table with lots of towels or newspaper.

Make good clean lines and don't let it glob in the corners. Nathan kept commenting on how I was "globbing"!

Note the globbing.

Let it dry overnight or for about 8 hours, then peel off the tape gently.

Voila! Put your frame together and admire you work.

Chalkboard Frame Tutorial

If you've seen the tour of our apartment, you've seen my chalkboard. It's certainly nothing fancy, but it works for us.

I made it for our wedding and was never sure if I would actually use it in our home, but I'm glad I decided to keep it.

Cute right? I bought an easel from JoAnn's (there are some cheap ones on Amazon), but it's not necessary to have an easel for your chalkboard. You can always hang it up!

Gather your materials
:: Large frame or large picture with frame*. (Target sells cheap frames and cheap art, that's where I got mine). 
:: Chalkboard paint (Don't get the spray paint kind)
:: Brush(s)
:: Chalk
:: Newspaper

*When I say a large frame, I mean literally buy a picture frame and you'll be painting the glass. OR you can buy a piece of cheap art (Thrift Store, Good Will, Target, etc and paint over the canvas.

Let's get started
:: Cover your work area with lots of newspaper. You don't want a mess!
:: Clean or wipe off your frame. Let dry completely.
:: If you can, take the outside frame off. You don't want chalkboard paint on your beautiful frame!
:: Start painting. Use clean lines vertically or horizontally. Don't make crazy designs, just get it done.
:: Let dry and do another coat. And another, if you wish.
:: Let dry overnight or for about 8 hours.
:: Before you draw on your chalkboard, be sure to color over it completely in one solid color. This way, your first drawing won't be etched in forever. Wipe away (use water if you want) and you're good to draw!

Some tips
:: You can paint a fresh coat on your chalkboard every few months if you wish. Mine got scratched and I'd like to give it a fresh coat pretty soon.
:: I wipe my chalkboard clean using a damp paper towel, then a dry paper towel. Sometimes the paper towel turns dark (like I'm talking the paint off), but I don't really panic. It could just use a fresh coat soon!
:: Colored chalk is at Staples for $1.27. :)


I hope this tutorial helps you out! Be sure to comment below if you have any questions!