I'm FUL of It: Chalkboard Sign with Homemade Chalk Paint {Tutorial}

Remember yesterday? I showed you my 35th mantel and teased you with a chalkboard message sign and a promise of a tutorial today? Well, today is here and so is that message board!

This idea was inspired when a friend and I spotted an entire display of rusty, old iron letters for $1 each. I decided right then and there that I would grab the letters to spell FUL and make a changeable chalkboard sign.

A few months later, I finally got around to it.

I already had the plaque (which I found at an antique store...no idea what it was in it's previous life) and, I just happened to be painting my bedroom dresser with homemade chalk paint in this fun shade of yellow. So, it was super easy for me to quickly taped off the plaque and roll on some of the leftover chalk paint.

To make my chalk paint, I used the recipe and instructions given by Karah at The Space Between. She even has pictures of the process, so head over there to check it out!

Homemade Chalkboard Paint:
1 C. flat latex paint (in color of choice!)
1 T. unsanded grout
a bit of hot water (start with a tablespoon and add more, as needed)

Mix grout with water and stir to dissolve. Then mix the dissolved grout with the paint. Stir, stir, stir, stir. And, then stir some more. If you have any grout clumps in your paint, keep stirring!

I used two coats of paint, rolled directly onto my unprimed and unsanded plaque. After it was completely dry, I conditioned my chalkboard using the side of a piece of chalk. After I'd wiped the chalk off with a rag, it was ready to use!

I simply attached my FUL letters with gorilla glue. Easy-peasy!

I know, I know! I've used very specific, and possibly hard to replicate, materials. But, truly, this is a concept that can be modified in any number of ways. For instance, repurpose an old cabinet door as your base and use wooden craft store letters as your FUL.

OR, print FUL on scrapbook paper, place it in a glassed frame and use a dry erase marker to add your adjective.

Get creative! You simply need a writing surface and somewhere to attach FUL...and, then you can be FUL of it too.

I love a project with versatility just as much as I love a play on words.

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