DIY: Oversized Magnetic Chalkboard

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I love leftovers!!!

I’m not talking about dinner from the night before.

I’m actually talking about the piles of “junk” growing in my workshop garage.

Leftover wood scraps from various projects can be found in any corner or stuffed in any box in our garage. 

Until we officially get rid of the strollers and the training wheels and all of the random kids’ toys…oh, and that motorcycle that needs to be tuned up…it is what it is. Our garage is a hot mess.

This large sheet of wood leaned against the wall right where I pulled my car into the garage for several months. It was calling my name.I longed for a magnetic chalkboard and do you know how hard it is to find a huge, oversized, magnetic chalkboard framed to meet your style all for a reasonable price? I say impossible!!!

I knew where I wanted to hang a chalkboard. Right in the center of our family hub, our back foyer. The backpacks are around the corner.  My computer and school papers and everything in between are right next to it. Our charging station is right below it on my navy console table. It is the mecca of this family. The chalkboard would be perfect here!

So, a project in my house usually goes like this…I set my mind on something, exhaustively research and discuss my plans while minding any budget, and finally enlist my better half to help me.

After some sanding, I used Rust-Oleoum magnetic primer and Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint. After reading the reviews, I decided to add 6 coats of the primer. Yes, 6! I was not joking around when I said I wanted a magnetic chalkboard. Once that was dried, I applied the chalkboard paint. This was my first time using the chalkboard paint and I became an instant fan. It is really easy to work with, even on this uneven and rough piece of scrap wood.  I wish I had pictures of my work in progress but I am the messiest painter so I try to keep my camera at a distance.

This chalkboard needed a frame and well, wouldn’t you know…there is a little village of pine boards hanging from our garage ceiling.

I was going for the rustic look so no mitering was involved. I stained the frame pieces but just wasn’t wild about the color of the stain that I had on hand.I happened to have this Valspar gray chalk paint left over (yay! more leftovers!) from a lamp I had sprayed. I rubbed some vaseline on parts of the frame, sprayed the chalk paint, and when it was dry, I wiped off the vaseline. I also gave the frame a little sanding to soften the edges.

The frame was glued and nailed to the perimeter of the chalkboard. We left the frame clamped to the board for a few days on a flat surface to ensure that the board did not bend and warp.

We have used the chalkboard in so many ways, like counting down the days ’til school starts again. Look at how The Bean wrote her 4! Cute!

I love the way it turned out, but will say that if you are particular about the chalk marks left behind, you should probably find a much smoother piece of wood. I love the worn chalk marks because I think it gives it some character and shows how well loved it is! Even more so, I’m thrilled that I have a magnetic chalkboard right in the hub of our home for the price of “leftovers” found in our garage. That’s my kind of project! 

What creative projects have you made with “leftovers?”