Chalkboard Placemats – An Easy DIY Craft

Not so long ago, I ran across on a Pinterest pin for a chalkboard placemat. Totally cool, I thought. That would be awesome for so many things: drawing for the kids, teaching letters and numbers, place settings for parties, and more.  Sold.  Until I clicked through to the link and found that the were $15.00 a piece.  And those were the cheap ones.  Further research showed me that for six place settings, I was going to be spending over 90 dollars, plus shipping.  Whah?

And for one of the first times in my life, I said, “I think I can make those.”  Then I did.

If I can do it, you can do it.

Step 1: Find some inexpensive cork-backed placemats.  I found some on clearance at Home Goods for $2 a piece.  Lay them out on a flat surface that you can paint on.

Step 2: Go get yourself a small tin of Chalk Board paint and a brush.  It comes in multiple colors, but I went with the standard black ($8.99). They recommend using rollers, but given that I was using leftover chalk board paint, I wasn’t going to make a special trip to the hardware store, so I used a normal paint brush.  We’ll all survive.

Step 3: Paint those bad boys.

Step 4: One coat isn’t enough, so let it dry (30 min. or so) and re apply.  Brush any run-off from the edges.  Once they are appear dry, but are still slightly tacky, move to a clean and protected surface so any paint run-off won’t stick to your original painting surface.

Step 5: Go get yourself a “fancy” chalk holder.  I think mine is supposed to be for dips, but whatevs.  It was only $9.99 from Home Goods.  Oh, and be sure to have some fun chalk colors at the ready.  The paint I used recommended waiting a good 3 days prior to using, but I don’t have that kind of patience.  36 hours was all we lasted, and no harm done.

Stay tuned!  Next week I’ll be making a maxi-dress out of some curtains and an old t-shirt.  Totally kidding.  Y’all know me better than that.  Or do you?? 🙂