How to make your own chalk board paint

                                       

Aloha!

Today I'm going to teach you how to make your very own chalkboard paint. FROM SCRATCH! Yep, I first learned the secret ingredient from the craft queen herself via her Martha Stewart Living Magazine.  In their version, they used a flat paint like you would purchase in the paint section at a hardware store, but I really just wanted a smaller quantity to do a few Honeysuckle accents around my house and for Valentine's gifts, so I thought I'd do some experimenting on my own with regular old acrylic craft paints and different proportions. 

Here's what you will need:

Dry Non-Sanded Grout (purchased this huge tin at our local City Mill hardware store for $1.50...this will probably last me forever)

Acrylic craft paints - White, Black, and Bright Magenta (Apple Barrel line by Plaid, found at Wal-mart)

NOTE: Our craft stores here on the island are somewhat lacking, so I wasn't able to find anything perfectly matching Honeysuckle. I will give you my "formula" with those combined colors.

Measuring spoons and cups

Mixing cup or bowl

Paint brush or stick to stir

Step 1) Measure 1.5 teaspoons of the non-sanded grout and put in your mixing cup (this is very dusty, so please do this in a well-ventilated area).

Step 2) Pour in 1/4 C. of the  Pepto Bismol   Bright Magenta craft paint.

Step 3) Add 1.5 teaspoons of white acrylic craft paint.

At that point, I really liked the color, but I was going for perfection, and I had the Pantone website up and was trying my very best to match what I saw on the screen. I could tell I needed to mute it slightly with some black.

Step 4)  Add 1/8 teaspoon black acrylic craft paint.

Step 5) Stir for a couple minutes with a cheap paintbrush or stick.

(I'm not really left-handed, but I stink at taking pics with my left hand! ha)

This next pic is to show you that the consistency WILL BE SLIGHTLY LUMPY still. The grout is very fine, so when you brush it on, it spreads right out and isn't noticable at all.





Step 6) Apply it with a sponge brush.

(Hey, look! I took a pic with my left hand!)

You will need between 1 and 3 coats depending on your medium. For my wooden calendar, I used 3 coats on top of a piece of 1/8" MDF (I primed with Zinsser water-based primer).

As with any chalkboard paint, you will need to prep the surface once it is completely dry by rubbing a piece of chalk across the entire board (easiest if you turn the chalk on its side). Then erase completely, and it's ready to go!

I also used it on some cardboard cereal boxes and made chalkboard Chinese take-out boxes. I've been planning to do this for my daughter to take to school as gifts and was excited to have some Honeysuckle to use!

This time I only did one layer, and I did not prime it. I just cut the box and painted directly on the inside with the chalkboard paint. Then I used the Chinese take-out box pattern I designed and cut it out.

So with that one bowl of Honeysuckle, I covered a 28"x18" board x 3 coats, and a 12"x15" cardboard box x 3! Total cost for this chalkboard paint project is about $.35.  I can handle that.  :)

This opens up SO many new chalkboard color possibilities! I'd love to hear what you're chalking up!

Aloha,
Charlie

Update: I was asked how long I let each coat dry since the spray paint chalkboard stuff says to let it dry one day between coats. Truth-be-told, I'm super impatient, and I was in a rush! I painted each layer, then used my blow dryer to dry it until it was really dry to sight and touch. Seriously dries really fast! Just like any old acrylic paint project! Yet another advantage to DIY'ing!  Sweet. ;)

Santa Letters

*The Idea room

Have you seen the fun deal at GroopDealz today? I want these! Aren't they cute?



$9 Letters to Santa Kit - Set of 4 cards, 4 envelopes & 4 labels - Free shipping to U.S. ($18 Value)



This is a great deal and is available to anyone no matter where you live. So go and check it out at GroopDealz.

Homemade Playdough

I Spy Bags

Have you made these bags??? Yup, probably. (In case you don't know what they are, it's where you put all sorts of little trinkets in a bag with a little window and then your child has to find certain objects......or just look and explore. The pictures will explain it better.) But I thought it would be fun to make shapes out of them. Might keep the kiddos entertained for like 5 more minutes than normal. Worth it.

Cut a shape out of paper (my dimensions are 6 inches wide by 4 inches tall) and then two of that shape out of fleece.



Cut a hole out of the center of the front piece, where you'll soon see all the innards of your bag.



Cut a piece of vinyl big enough to cover the hole.........



............and sew into place, really close to the edge. (Sew with the vinyl on the bottom, otherwise it will "stick" to your presser foot.) But don't look too closely. Mine's not perfect. Whoops. Elli (our little lady) will never notice.



Sew the front and back together. Fleece doesn't fray so there is no need to sew it right sides together and then turn right side out. Nope, skip that step and just leave the ends out and free.

Leave a spot open that's big enough to stuff your trinkets and poly fill beads(thanks for your extras Brittany!).




Don't stuff your creature/shape up completely full or it will be hard to sew closed AND it will be hard for your little one to mush all of the beads around, in search for the hidden trinkets. Sew it closed.

Done.



I decided to cut out some shapes to make a crab too. It's not much bigger than the fish. Maybe 7 inches by 4 inches. They fit better in little hands this way.

I cut out a front and back piece for the main body, a front and back piece for both pinchers (is that what they're called??), and two little eyes.



Cut out a hole in the front main body piece and then attach some vinyl the same way. Then sew up all sides of each pincher, except for the bottom.



Add some of the beads to the pincher to give it some shape and then sew it closed.



Then pin your pinchers and your eyes to the front piece of the body, keeping all of the loose ends on the inside so you won't see it after sewing it all together. Sew all the way around the whole bodice, securing all parts into place. Make sure to leave an opening for the beads and trinkets.

Done with number two.



Let 'em at it.

Edible Crayons

Yummy! Crayons!
These are simple to make and are sooo fun to eat. My kids thought it was so funny that they got to eat "crayons" (something we're constantly telling the baby NOT to do!).
In addition, they got to break things, dip things, and use tape. What snack could be more fun to make??!:)
You can put several in a Ziploc baggie with a handmade note saying "You Color my World" for an easy class valentine treat. I'd make a few different colors (red, white, etc) but the girls had too much fun with pink so we just went with it.:) These would also be a great "C" snack for preschool or a great "back to school treat". Have fun!

INGREDIENTS:
Pretzel Rods
Candy Melts (or white chocolate chips with a little of your favorite food coloring added)
Paper Labels (make them yourself or download mine here. Print on colored paper of your choice)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Break or cut pretzel rods in half. Melt candy melts or chocoalte chips in microwave on medium heat for 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking at 15 second intervals until melted. Add a few drops food coloring if desired.
Dip ends of pretzels in melted candy.
Place on wax paper or aluminum foil to dry.
When dry, wrap with crayon label and secure with tape.
You can download the labels I made here.