DIY Memo Board with Katie!

My kitchen was sorely lacking any kind of message or memo board, and with sticky notes piling up covered with to-do's I decided a chalk board was the way to go. I saw this one form Ballard design,

but at over $150 it was not an option.

So I kept an eye out at the local thrift shops and I found this beauty for a whopping $8. I was just the right size to cover a not-so-strategically-placed electrical box that was an eye sore and needed a good cover.

I had a scrap piece of really thin (1/4") plywood that would be a good backing for the chalk board. I just traced the opening of the frame on to the plywood and measured 1/4" beyond that line so that it would snuggly fit in to the back lip of the frame. The plywood is so thin that I could cut it by scoring it with a utility knife a few times.

Using a 1.5" foam brush I painted on two coats of Rust-Oleum Chalk Board paint.

I thought it needed a little detail action so I broke out the 1" 3M Scotch Blue Painters Tape and my fave gold leaf paint. Then I taped off the edge and repeated this again on the interior of the chalk board- leaving 1/4" border exposed.

With a quick coat of the gold leaf, I painted between the two pieces of tape. One tip is to remove the tape right after you have finished painting the boarder- that will help you get those clean, crisp lines.

I left it to dry for an hour and the just set it into the frame.

All done!

Not bad for an $8 frame and stuff I had around the house. This would look great in an office or a mudroom for those last minute reminders and grocery lists.

Always keep an eye open in thrift stores or at garage sales- there are always hidden gems and with an open mind you can recreate things you see online or in a a magazine for a fraction of the cost!

XOXO Katie

PS! Be sure to check out my Pom-Pom Scarf over at Bridier Baubles!