Inspiration For Moms: DIY Chalkboard Signs (Tutorial)

Thanks for all the love and sweet comments

about my Chalkboard Christmas shelves. :)

Lots of you loved my chalkboard creation

so today I want to share with you a tutorial on how I made this wonderful sign.

It all started with this awesome Christmas printable from {aka} design.

(please visit their site if you would like to print your own copy)

I knew this design would look great on my new chalkboard.

Oh right, the new chalkboard that I didn't have.

I guess it was time to make myself one!

I grabbed a few items from my garage:

-chalkboard paint

-1/4 inch birchwood plywood (18 x 24)

-paint brush

-chalk marker

I painted the board once, waited an hour then painted another coat.

While that was drying,

I focused on getting my large print.

I had a copy of the Vintage Joy to the World printed at Staples.

Now I know what you are thinking...
"A print that size must have been so expensive!"

Nope. It set me back a whole $1.87!

I went online and downloaded the print to their copy and print center,

selected the link Oversized Prints, then clicked on Engineering Prints.
I selected the 18 x 24 size and black and white print.
I completed my order online and then picked it up the next day at the store.
Simple.

Next step was to season my chalkboard.
What does that mean?
It's just a fancy way to say, lay a piece of chalk sideways
and completely color the entire surface of the board.

Then simply erase the board and now it is ready to use.
Now that I had my printed sign and my seasoned board,
it was time to move on to the next step.

I took my piece of chalk and completely colored the surface of the
blank back side of my print.

Then I carefully flipped the paper over and placed the chalk
colored side on top of my chalkboard.
I secured with a piece of tape on each side of the board.
Then I grabbed a very bright florescent pen and I
started tracing the outline of the words and designs.

Once you are done tracing, carefully lift off the paper.
You should see something like this...

Pretty, cool huh?!
Now the last step takes the longest,
but it will be wroth it...I promise!

I grabbed my bistro chalk marker...

and started tracing over my chalk lines.
When I finished, this was the end result...

A simple way to get a professional looking chalkboard sign.
Any size and any style.
Even if you have a chalkboard wall, this same method would totally work.
The really beauty about this project...it only cost me $1.87 total!

I love the classiness the sign added to my Christmas shelves...