A friend of mine is having a birthday soon, and for the past few years we have exchanged handmade gifts.  Nothing too fancy, but because we are craft lovers, we kind of enjoy seeing what the other one will come up with from year to year.  I had seen some –  all the rage – chevron burlap ribbon at Hobby Lobby, and that inspired me to make her a small chalkboard sayings plaque.  This is a simple and clean project, and it can allow the recipient to change the saying whenever he or she feels like it by simply wiping it clean with a wet cloth.

(Please note:) For most of my projects I will be using the Silhouette Cameo to aid in my design process.  You do not have to have one to create this craft, but the overall look and feel of the finished product may be easier to achieve.  I do recommend it if you love to craft.   It can do so many useful, and wonderful things.  If saving time is a must to get your crafting fix in, investing in a Silhouette  is well worth it.

~Chalkboard Sayings~

Materials:

Wood, Any size you prefer.  I used pine, precut from Michael’s.

A stencil, sized to fit your wood.  This can be a picture or letters to make up a word, or a phrase, or you can even handwrite it for a more personal touch.  I used Silhouette Stencil vinyl, chose a shape from their online store and cut it on my Silhouette.

Chalkboard paint or Chalkboard spray paint

Chalkboard pens, in whatever colors you choose.

Ribbon

Silhouette stencil vinyl with transfer tape, if you are not using a standard stencil, and want to design your own.

Directions:

Set up an area covered with a tarp or paper bags to cover the surface you will be painting on.

Remove any labels from wood.  Sand wood, if necessary.  Spray paint or paint the board with chalkboard paint.  I used Krylon chalkboard spray paint.  You may want to use rubber gloves for this step.  Spray the board evenly front and back and allow to dry.

Open your Silhouette software and choose a phrase or type in a phrase with the font of your choice.  Print out on stencil vinyl.  Weed out the part of the design you want to show up on your project.  Then cover stencil with transfer tape, and lift off design.

Apply stencil to wood, being careful to make sure stencil had adhered well.  Use a scraper tool, or be sure you have adhered it to the wood with tape and no paint can seep underneath.

Then carefully fill in your design with chalk pen.  It can bleed if stencil is not completely secure, so be careful when you fill in the design.

Remove stencil.  Touch up any areas with chalk pen, as necessary.

Attach ribbon of your choice, place on an easel, and you are done.

This is a versatile project.  You could easily paint the wood in pastels, and stencil animals for a baby’s room, or perhaps a simple monogram, using chalk, paint or even just vinyl.

Enjoy!