{"id":482,"date":"2017-03-17T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T09:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.cm433.com\/beautifullyinspiredhome\/?p=151"},"modified":"2023-04-06T22:48:39","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T22:48:39","slug":"diychalkboardsign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beautifullyinspiredhome.com\/diychalkboardsign\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Chalkboard Sign"},"content":{"rendered":"
A chalkboard easel or sandwich sign is such a versatile piece for decorating and parties, it\u2019s a must have! \u00a0While planning a baby shower, I decided I just had to have one! After doing an intense Pinterest search for ideas and designs, I came across Amy Baesler\u2019s DIY Chalkboard<\/a> on Remodelaholic.com. I chose her plans because it included a detailed cut list and the chalkboard seemed well built. I\u2019d love to put mine on the front porch for parties, so it has to withstand Kansas wind.<\/span><\/p>\n Join me as I follow Amy\u2019s plan to build my own DIY Chalkboard<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n Time: weekend (drying time may change your time required)<\/span><\/p>\n Cost: $45<\/span><\/p>\n Please Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links for products I love! If you decide to click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Pro Tip: In hindsight I wish I had bought better quality wood for this project. I purchased a full sheet of 1\/4\u201d plywood ($15) because I\u2019m going to be smart, and I didn\u2019t want to spend $10 for a quarter sheet of nicer grade wood. A rip-off right? Wrong, buy the smoothest plywood you can. It will save you a bunch of time later when you have to use wood filler on the rough grain and repeatedly sand it.<\/span><\/p>\n 3 \u2013 1\u2033 x 3\u2033 x 8\u2032 boards<\/span> My additions<\/span> Don\u2019t forget your ear and eye protection!<\/span><\/p>\n Amy\u2019s Cut List<\/a> <\/p>\n Now in her design she cuts a groove and insets the chalkboard into the frame. I went the other route and stapled mine to the back of the frame. If you decide to do this as well add 1\u201d to the length and width of your 1\/4 plywood.<\/span><\/p>\n I did all the cutting first starting with the 1x3s <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I used the table saw and circular saw to cut the plywood down to size.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n On all the 19\u201d boards you want to drill 2 pocket holes on each end. <\/span><\/p>\n Pocket holes are a magical way to assemble two pieces of wood. If you don\u2019t have a pocket hole jig you need to get up right now and go get a Kreg Jig<\/a>. It makes such beautiful joints and is my husband\u2019s favorite tool in the garage. I secretly think he finds projects just so he can bust it out. <\/span><\/p>\n I sanded all the boards before assembling them. It was easier to sand with the grain when the boards were disassembled. This is not the last of the sanding, so don\u2019t put that sander away quite yet.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Measure up 6\u201d from the bottom of the frame and double check all your corners are square before gluing and screwing it together. I laid mine on the floor to make sure everything stayed flat.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Amy lists this as an optional step, but I think it adds such character to the chalkboard that I highly recommend doing this step. This is what the 1×8\u201d board is for, though yours does not need to be that large. I used a scrap piece of wood. You need to cut a 3 1\/2\u201d square and then draw or trace a curve onto one corner. She used a paint can for the curve 1\/2\u201d from the edge. I used a jigsaw to cut the curve then the belt sander to refine and smooth it.<\/p>\n Pro Tip: you can also check out the decorative trim pieces at your hardware store if you want something fancier.<\/span><\/p>\n Attach them with wood glue and brad nails<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nStep One – To The Hardware Store!<\/span><\/h2>\n
Amy\u2019s Material list<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>1 \u2013 1\u2033 x 4\u2033 x 8\u2032 board \u2013 optional<\/span>
\n<\/span>1\/4\u2033 plywood sheet (or 1\/2 sheet if your store sells them)<\/span>
\n<\/span>2 hinges<\/span>
\n<\/span>chalkboard paint<\/span>
\n<\/span>1 1\/4\u2033 pocket screws (softwood)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1 1\/4\u2033 brad nails<\/span>
\n<\/span>20\u2033 rope or string<\/span>
\n<\/span>wood glue<\/span>
\n<\/span>sandpaper<\/span>
\n<\/span>stain\/paint<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>1\/2\u201d Staples
\n<\/span>2 eye hooks
\n<\/span>Wood filler<\/span><\/p>\nStep Two – Cut All The Pieces<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n<\/span>4 \u2013 3\/4\u2033 x 2 1\/2\u2033 x 42\u2033<\/span>
\n<\/span>4 \u2013 3\/4\u2033 x 2 1\/2\u2033 x 19\u2033<\/span>
\n<\/span>2 \u2013 1\/4\u2033 x 20\u2033 x 32\u2033 (make this larger if stapling to the back)<\/span>
\n<\/span>4 \u2013 3\/4\u2033 x 3 1\/2\u2033 x 3 1\/2\u2033 optional or (2 1\/2\u2033 x 2 1\/2\u2033 for smaller accent pieces)<\/span><\/p>\nStep three – Pocket Holes<\/span><\/h2>\n
Step Four – Sanding <\/span><\/h2>\n
Step Five – Assembling the Frame<\/span><\/h2>\n
Step Five – Accent Corners<\/span><\/h2>\n
Step Six – Time to Paint<\/span><\/h2>\n