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I don’t like to think of these crafting posts as tutorials, because I am sure to leave something out and I am definitely NOT an expert. I like to think of them as guides, inspiration to get your own creative juices flowing. Most of my projects are with thrift store finds/stuff I already have around the house. So take a look around you with fresh eyes, hit that garage sale or favorite thrift store and make some magic of your own! Because when you make it yourself, you get to enjoy the bragging rights.
A Maker’s Studio offers project bundles as well as individual products. These are projects that A Maker’s Studio founder, Amy Howard, makes right along with you and shows you all her tips and techniques, called Maker Mondays. This DIY Weekly Calendar is one of them.
Supplies Needed to Repurpose an Old Frame to Make a Chalkboard Calendar
- putty knife
- a large frame with a sturdy backing 24″ x 36″ is ideal
- Rescue Restore Paint in Little Black Dress
- Rescue Restore Paint in Gathered
- Foam Sponge Brushes
- ChalkArt Spreader
- Calendar stencil
- Peace and Joy ChalkArt
- white chalk
Tips to Repurpose an Old Frame to Make a Chalkboard Calendar
A brand new A Maker’s Studio stencil is very adhesive and may tear bits of itself off and stick to your project, so if using a brand new stencil on paper, place the stencil on a piece of cloth or other surface and remove a couple of times to lessen the adhesion.
If you worry that you will spread the ChalkArt past the stencil and on to your surface, use a piece or two of painter’s tape on the edge of the stencil to avoid extraneous ChalkArt on your piece.
Spreaders can be cut to a more manageable size with a pair of scissors for more detailed or smaller work. When done with the spreader, simply wash ink or paint off and reuse.
Clean the reusable stencil with water and a lint-free sponge and let dry adhesive side up. When the stencil is dry place protective backing on the adhesive side of stencil and store.
When using A Maker’s Studio Stencils, they are not cut out completely, the stencil is a mesh that requires pushing the ink or paint through, not just laying the ink on top. Make sure to press the ChalkArt!
I used a smaller frame than the one Amy used in her tutorial, so mine isn’t quite as detailed. Since there is less room to write, I decided to make mine just a dinner menu board, instead of a weekly family calendar.
Rescue Restore Paint is chalk based and creates a lovely chalkboard surface. The ChalkArt is easily removed with a soft cloth and water to reuse week after week. These paints are also easy to clean out of your brush, all you need is soap and water.
Make sure that your frame has a sturdy cardboard or masonite backing. This is what you are painting to make into the chalkboard. This project is perfect for a frame with cracked or missing glass since you won’t need it.
Repurpose an Old Frame to Make a Chalkboard Calendar 101
- Protect your work surface and your clothing.
- Carefully remove backing and picture from frame (a putty knife is perfect for this)
- Stir your Rescue Restore Paint well and paint Little Black Dress onto your frame backing with a foam sponge brush, using long strokes. Apply a thin coat. Let dry 30 minutes and add a second coat. Let dry.
- After stirring Gathered Rescue Restore Paint well, use your foam sponge brush to apply a thin coat with long strokes. Let dry 30 minutes and add a second coat. I needed a third coat on my frame, so don’t hesitate to apply another coat if needed.
- Once your chalkboard is dry, apply the stencils in the desired formation, securing edges with painter’s tape if you’re worried you’ll get ChalkArt outside the lines.
- Using the spreader apply your Peace and Joy Chalkart to stencil, making sure to press through the mesh so that the color goes all the way through to the surface. Remove stencil as soon as you are done, ChalkArt dries quickly and will want to pull away from your surface and stay on the stencil if it dries too much.
- Clean the reusable stencil with water and a lint-free sponge and let dry adhesive side up.
- When the stencil is dry place protective backing on the adhesive side of stencil and store.
- When the ChalkArt is dry, take a piece of white chalk and rub the side over the entire chalkboard, wipe the chalk away with your fingers to “season” the chalkboard.
- Repeat with the small board if using.
- Enjoy your fantastic creation!
