DIY A Purple Chalkboard
I am not a lists maker - except when it comes to craft ideas that I get and immediately have to write them down, lol! But I have never had to write down a grocery list - except for getting recipe ingredients. Previously, I could go to the grocery store and remember what I needed. But now, as I get older, I find myself forgetting items I need to buy. So it's time to make a shopping list chalkboard!
And not just in your regular blackboard style either - but one done in my favorite color, purple! And would you believe, the chalkboard paint is homemade too! And the best part, you only need three ingredients to make chalkboard paint - acrylic paint, Plaster of Paris, and water! How cool is that!
Materials to make a Purple Chalkboard:
Unfinish wood board Painter's tape Paint brushesAcrylic paints - white/purple Plaster of Paris WaterWhite chalkDamp microfiber cloth
Let's begin with a unfinish wood board. I already had an unfinished wood framed board (20"x10") in my stash, but you can turn just about anything into a chalkboard these days!
Next, tape off the frame with painter's tape to paint the frame white (my cabinets are white) and let dry for an hour. Then apply a second coat and let dry for a couple of hours.
Once the frame is dry, it's time to mix the chalkboard paint. The ratio of mixing the ingredients to make chalkboard paint is: 3 parts acrylic paint 2 parts Plaster of Paris 1 part water
Easy, isn't it! Since the acrylic paint comes in small 2fl oz. bottles, I started mixing 3 tablespoons of paint (Americana Dioxazine 'Dark' Purple) with 2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris and 1 tablespoon of water - stirring well until nice and smooth. It's quite easy to make more for additional coats in case I don't have enough to cover the board, using the same measurements.
Next, tape off the frame area and begin painting the board . . .
until the area is completely painted.
Apply at least two more coats - drying between coats for a nice chalkboard finish!
Then, the chalkboard needs to be seasoned once it is completely dry. You have to season a newly painted chalkboard because if you don't there will always be a faint image of whatever you first wrote on the board. And it's quite easily done by covering the whole surface with chalk, first vertically . . .
and then horizontally . . .
wiping it clean with a damp cloth afterwards.
Then attach command strips to the back and hang in your favorite spot!
Now, time to make a shopping list and a little bit of dooling!
Don't you just love writing on chalkboard in your favorite color!
Don't think I'll be forgetting to buy anything from now on!
Resources for this project:
See all materials
Comments
Join the conversation
-
As DI said "YAY PURPLE"! Thank you for sharing your idea. I will be keeping this post. I am thinking Christmas gift.
-
I already saved this and WILL be making it, love it! Thank you 😉
-
Thanks so much, Karen! Have fun making it and enjoy!
-
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?