May 22, 2012

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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26 comments:

  1. I looooove this and I'm doing it! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  2. What a great tutorial and I love your sign :) Thanks for sharing!

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  3. What an awesome sign! Totally pinning this so I can do it when I have some extra cash! :) xo Thank you!

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  4. LOVE IT!!! What a cute idea, I mean not only is it adorable for holiday decor, parties, and more... but you could use this to teach your kids about adjectives ending in -ful :) Thanks for sharing Emily!

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  5. What a fun sign! I love it---especially the yellow chalkboard paint!

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  6. UMMMM...YES! Totally high-jacking this (with full credit to your Amazing-FUL {LOL} Blog)!!

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  7. Emily, it's pretty awesome. Then if you are ever having a bad day you can switch it to Aw-ful, and your husband will know how you are feeling when he comes in:)

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

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  8. Yay for our Canton finds!!! Turned out awesome. How in the world such inspirations come to you in a split second while looking at rusty old letters I'll never know.... you're Queen of the Right-Brainers!!

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    1. Haha. The Queen of Right-Brainers. I always knew I should be the queen of something! ;)

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  9. Cute idea Emily! Thanks for sharing.
    Tami

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  10. Now won't this be useful on upcoming mantels! You can use it over and over and hardly ever repeat the word you use! Awesome.

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  11. This is such a cute project I love it!

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  12. ok....one of the cutest things I have seen in quite a long time! Might be a little in love!! totally doing this!! :)

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  13. I always knew you were full of it - full of fabulous ideas that is!

    You had me at chalkboard - and to make my own paint ... wheels spinning!
    Kelly

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  14. Emily, love, love, love your new chalkboard sign! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  15. Awesome...love your creativity!! Thanks for sharing this tutorial! Blessings!

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  16. Oh Emily, you are so creative!!! I would have never thought of this in a million years. Love it!

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  17. SO SO cute... I just love it...
    Thanks for sharing

    Carri
    simplydonewright.blogspot.com

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  18. What a cute idea! I love this so much, and I love that yellow! :)

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  19. I love this idea, and I'm liking everything YELLOW lately. Don't you love when an idea just comes to you? I wish I had that more often, this was a great one!

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  20. Oh how cute! I love this idea!!!! Very creative, and it looks lovely too!

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  21. I am ____ful for you sharing this _____ful idea. I am ____ful I can accomplish this project!
    Came over from Overflowing.

    Distressed Donna Down Home

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  22. That is amazing! BRAVO! BRILLIEANT!

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  23. Oh I love this idea! Thank you for sharing! But if you are a email user, I think email login is the website you should bookmark, in case you have email problem or want to learn some helpful tips to use email more effectively.

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