White Framed Chalkboard Has A Few Hang Ups

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Framed Chalkboard

The framed chalkboard project came together with the help of the JTS (aka hubby, aka Junktion Technical Specialist). We work pretty well together most of the time.

The frame was a dingy white but a little work took care of that. No painting required.

The vintage wood mirror holder came from my favorite junk shop. I think I paid $5 for it but not sure. I found several pieces of scrap lumber and a piece of leftover chalkboard panel as options to fill the frame. Did you know you can buy chalkboard panels….all ready to go….no need to buy chalkboard paint?

For the past two months every time the JTS walked into the workshop and spotted the frame and wood he wanted to work on the project…..and every time I would say no, I wasn’t ready yet. We went through this same scenario at least 10 times. Last week the JTS came in the house and told me he cut the chalkboard panel to fit the frame. See, we got some new tools and he just couldn’t wait to try them out.

The reason I ask him to wait on project tasks is because I like to get photos of everything. If other projects are in progress I’m not always prepared to take photos. Guess what he said about cutting the chalkboard without me? “I can pretend I’m cutting the board and you can take a picture”. So the above photo is the JTS pretending he’s cutting the board. “Full Disclosure”, lol.

The photos of steps 1-12 are of actual work in progress. There were a ton of photos so I made collages out of them.

Framed Chalkboard details…..

1 and 2.  The holes for the screws holding the swivel key to the frame were all wallowed out so we replaced the original screws with bigger screws.

3. Removing the blocks for holding the frame to the dresser.

4. I tried sawing off the two end pieces of the bottom frame but my little saw didn’t work too well. I would have been sawing on that thing forever.

5. The JTS did the job in about 2 minutes using a Ryobi Reciprocating Saw.

6. I distressed the original paint. It was already a little beat up. The white paint was yellowed in places and sanding the frame all  took off most of the yellow.

7. I cleaned all the dust and grime off with Simple Green.

8. The bottom board on the frame is the perfect place to add furniture knobs. Great for hanging jewelry, towels, anything. I measured and marked for spacing of the knobs.

9. I drilled holes for four knobs and screwed them to the frame.

10. Last piece is the chalkboard panel. I applied that using a nail gun connected to an air compressor.

11. Pads or cushions are a nice addition to the back of the frame to protect the wall.

12. Last step is to season or prime the chalkboard by rubbing chalk all over the board using the flat edge of the chalk. Next rub the chalk into the board with a rag or paper towel then wipe it off with a damp rag. The chalkboard is now ready to use.

Just for fun I used the new Martha Stewart Erasable Liquid Chalk and a FolkArt stencil to pretty up the board. My handwriting is atrocious and the stencils are pretty. The liquid chalk wipes off with a wet rag.

I staged the photo using some of my favorite junk finds. The small handmade bench is from an auction at my brother’s business in Arkansas. The flowers and vase were a steal at $1.50 from Goodwill. You might remember the table from the junk shop video of my favorite finds including prices. The tassels hanging from the knob are my high school graduation tassel (1972) and my college graduation tassel (2016).

The white knobs with the painted blue flowers have been in my stash for a long time. They probably came off of a furniture purchase.

I erased the stenciled flowers and took a few photos of the blank chalkboard.

White Framed Chalkboard

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That’s it! How do you like the chalkboard? It’s unique….and I’m doing the happy dance.

I’ve been on the road (or a plane) a bunch the past few months. Right now I’m in Arkansas. There are a lot of photos in my files from trips to Arkansas in May, June, July, and August. Will try to sit down and get my thoughts together for an Arkansas post maybe next week. Thanks for being here.

Don’t forget about the craft supply giveaway. Enter here.

Products used in this project:
FolkArt Succulent Motif Stencil
Martha Stewart Erasable Chalk
Ryobi Super Combo Tool Kit
Simple Green
(Amazon affiliate links for your convenience, info here)