Most of you know that I recently had an unexpected appendectomy...good times! As much as I would love to write about my experience with that, I have so many other things saved in "drafts" that I need to get out..plus, my experience isn't quite over yet! So...if you really want to know about appendectomies, stay tuned!
In the meantime, I promised you a tutorial on how I did my recent chalkboard wall...Like months ago! Yes, I suffer from self-diagnosed ADD and have a really hard time NOT getting distracted. That's why this project is something I am proud of because it was soooooo easy and soooooo fast. Fast enough for me to start and finish in one day-minus shipping time!
First... I ordered this "Blackboard Wall Decal" from plumdistrict.com (they have some great deals)! It was only $9 and is 6 feet long x 1.5 feet wide! I only needed about 2.5 feet and the width was perfect!
Second...Once I received the decal, I measured my space and simply cut the 6 foot roll in one straight line to give me what I needed. You can get fancy and create a shape, but for me, a straight line was simple and what I wanted.
Third...Very carefully and with the help of a ruler to keep the air bubbles out, I stuck the Blackboard Decal to my wall! It took all of 3 minutes!
Fourth... I wanted a border to frame out the decal. I felt it looked unfinished. As I was running errands that afternoon, I stopped by Lowe's to check out their wood framework. I didn't see anything that I loved but what I did see inspired me to do what I did. They had a "rope" design piece of wood frame that I would have had to cut, prime and paint. But a light bulb went on...I actually have some real rope leftover from an old project that I thought would be perfect!
Fifth..As soon as I got home, I found that extra rope! And what do you know...it was the EXACT length I needed. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly! I grabbed our staple gun and stapled the rope to the wall...and felt so accomplished as I did!
Sixth...I needed something to cover the ends where the rope ended. I looked around my house and found some shells in a candle holder and waa-laa! Hot glued that little sucker right in the middle!
Seventh...Chalk! The wall decal came with chalk, but I needed to have it in a place where I wouldn't lose it! So, I nailed a tiny nail into the wall, hidden in the rope. I then tied a piece of string around a piece of chalk...and attached the other end of the string to the nail!
Eighth... I sat back and literally patted myself on the back because not only was I proud to have started and finished a project in one day, but the only money I spent specifically on this project was less than $13 including shipping fees! Now I just need to figure out how to use the rest of the decal! More projects!!!
Ninth... Last but not least...write, draw, do whatever you want to decorate, leave messages, etc. I chose to use it as a message/behavior chart/chores board for my boys! I use clothes pin to mark where they are on the behavior chart...we've had fun with it and best part is....IT WORKS!!
You do not have to do this exactly how I did it...but hopefully you will see that you can do it as easily as I did. Just think out of the box...use items that you already have...and put them to good use! It's all about recycle, reduce , reuse! Good luck and as always, HAVE FUN with it!!
In the meantime, I promised you a tutorial on how I did my recent chalkboard wall...Like months ago! Yes, I suffer from self-diagnosed ADD and have a really hard time NOT getting distracted. That's why this project is something I am proud of because it was soooooo easy and soooooo fast. Fast enough for me to start and finish in one day-minus shipping time!
First... I ordered this "Blackboard Wall Decal" from plumdistrict.com (they have some great deals)! It was only $9 and is 6 feet long x 1.5 feet wide! I only needed about 2.5 feet and the width was perfect!
Second...Once I received the decal, I measured my space and simply cut the 6 foot roll in one straight line to give me what I needed. You can get fancy and create a shape, but for me, a straight line was simple and what I wanted.
Third...Very carefully and with the help of a ruler to keep the air bubbles out, I stuck the Blackboard Decal to my wall! It took all of 3 minutes!
Fourth... I wanted a border to frame out the decal. I felt it looked unfinished. As I was running errands that afternoon, I stopped by Lowe's to check out their wood framework. I didn't see anything that I loved but what I did see inspired me to do what I did. They had a "rope" design piece of wood frame that I would have had to cut, prime and paint. But a light bulb went on...I actually have some real rope leftover from an old project that I thought would be perfect!
Fifth..As soon as I got home, I found that extra rope! And what do you know...it was the EXACT length I needed. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly! I grabbed our staple gun and stapled the rope to the wall...and felt so accomplished as I did!
Sixth...I needed something to cover the ends where the rope ended. I looked around my house and found some shells in a candle holder and waa-laa! Hot glued that little sucker right in the middle!
Seventh...Chalk! The wall decal came with chalk, but I needed to have it in a place where I wouldn't lose it! So, I nailed a tiny nail into the wall, hidden in the rope. I then tied a piece of string around a piece of chalk...and attached the other end of the string to the nail!
Eighth... I sat back and literally patted myself on the back because not only was I proud to have started and finished a project in one day, but the only money I spent specifically on this project was less than $13 including shipping fees! Now I just need to figure out how to use the rest of the decal! More projects!!!
Ninth... Last but not least...write, draw, do whatever you want to decorate, leave messages, etc. I chose to use it as a message/behavior chart/chores board for my boys! I use clothes pin to mark where they are on the behavior chart...we've had fun with it and best part is....IT WORKS!!
You do not have to do this exactly how I did it...but hopefully you will see that you can do it as easily as I did. Just think out of the box...use items that you already have...and put them to good use! It's all about recycle, reduce , reuse! Good luck and as always, HAVE FUN with it!!
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