Money Saving Tips | life.love.crafts

So today i decided I was going to make a chalkboard. I already had the paint so just a little effort is all I need. Besides my fridge is looking disastrous because my girls magnets are all over the place. Time for a change…

I found a piece of scrap stainless steel sheet and I was tired of seeing that laying in the yard in random places so I scrubbed it clean with dish soap and a scrubber. I then let it air dry.

Then I found scrap trim. I hope my husband didn’t have another purpose for it because it was screaming out for me to use it. 🙂 So along with today’s adventures;I even used power tools! I know dangerous right?

I didn’t want to mess with cutting angles so I cut them straight and fit the sides in between the top and bottom trim. I’d mention sizes but It really depends on the size of the metal sheet you have available.

I then cut the left side straight so it was even then measured out the other side. I marked straight lines with permanent marker because I knew i was going to be able to cover them with the trim. Tin snips cut through it nicely but you have to be VERY CAREFULLY because the metal can easily cut your hand open. I am not a professional, but i would suggest having someone who knows the proper safety in cutting it. I then screwed the wood pieces together. I used four 2 inch screws in the corners to hold the frame. Then I used 1/2 inch screws to secure the metal to the frame. I put them about every 5-6 inches.

After the steel was mounted to the frame I flipped it over. To make sure the metal was clean still I used alcohol wipes. You can see that it wasn’t the prettiest metal but after painting it with chalkboard paint, it didn’t look bad at all.

Sorry for the picture being sideways. (:

Painters tape to protect the wood…

I did 3 good coats and made sure it was covered completely. I allowed it to dry for a few hours. With the sun out and hitting the dark paint it dried quickly.

Mount to wall and there you go. Kids already went haywire before I could get a picture of it up. Gives something for the kids to draw on and it got the majority of the magnets off of my fridge!