Sunday, September 2, 2012

chalkboard photo prop tutorial {and giveaway!}

Three cheers for back-to-school! I love the school supplies, the ushering in of fall, and the extra time to get things done while my kids are gone. Am I a mean mom? I have friends who cry when their kids go back (love you Melynie!), but aside from a little blubbering as they walk into the school, it's a good day for me. So I think we should celebrate with a giveaway!

But back to the school supplies for a minute--did I mention I love chalk? I do. I love it. But I have you ever tried to find a box of white chalk at back-to-school time? It's nearly impossible. After trying Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Target, and JoAnn, my husband finally tracked down a box at Office Max. What a sweetie. He knew I needed it for these darling chalkboard photo props for my kids' first day of school.

 

I started with these blank MDF signs I got from my friend Holly of the Say Hello Shop. She is amazing! She's a talented illustrator  and her shop is full of fun finished pieces and unfinished projects for home decor and entertaining. Here's a quick tutorial for how to take these unfinished signs and turn them into fun photo props!

How to Make a Chalkboard Photo Prop

Supplies:
*Blank wood sign like these from Say Hello Shop
*Chalkboard paint (I used Martha Stewart's)
*Foam brush
*Chalk

1. Paint your board with an even layer of the chalkboard paint. Allow to dry and repeat until your board is completely covered (I did 3 coats total). Allow to cure for 24 hours (or whatever your paint recommends). 

2. When your paint has cured, season your chalkboard before using it. To do this, rub chalk over the entire surface. If you don't, the first thing you write on it will stay there for-ev-er.

Now it's time to practice your cursive writing! There has been a lot of chalkboard art going around Pinterest lately--I wish I had the handwriting of some of these people! But alas. I used my best handwriting, then shaded a little on the downstrokes.


We couldn't leave the baby out!

My kids went crazy for the speech bubble chalkboard. I told my 8-year-old he could write whatever you want and this is what I got. Goofball. 

Fun, right? What's even more fun is that we're giving away this set of MDF signs from the Say Hello Shop! You can paint them with chalkboard paint, cover them with patterned paper, or leave them blank--it's up to you. 

To enter, visit Say Hello Shop and leave us a comment with the item you love most in her shop. Be sure to do it by Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:59pm PT. Here are a few of my favorites. . .





Good luck!


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52 Comments

52 Responses to “chalkboard photo prop tutorial {and giveaway!}”

z said...

I love her arrow! It is so dang cute!
But how could I only choose one? :)

Anonymous said...

love the DIY Wooden Pendant Banner!

Ruffles and Relics said...

Thanks for the sweet giveaway! I love the wooden chandelier!

Anonymous said...

I love the cute and simple mdf wood sign!

Erika said...

I love the birthday cake topper! So cute.

Little Ella Lu said...

The Wood Floral Wall Clock is so lovely.

barneyn said...

I like the wooden keys set of 8


nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

Megan J said...

So hard to choose one but I really like the Ampersand!

R @ Rebecca's Roundup said...

That banner cake topper is adorable!

Ethan Mashimo said...

i love the cupcake stand but I also love the cute and simple sign so I can have MY OWN chalkboard sign! =)

Stripes and Stars said...

The little wood bird decoration is just too cute. I'm loving the little cupcake tables.
I'm in the UK so this giveaway may not apply to me, but please tell your friend I love everything she sells.
Amanda Kirby
Amandakirby10@btinternet.com

joyscraft said...

I love your idea for a first day to school foto!!! thank you also for the giveaway...I loved the wooden floral wall clock.!!!

Leslie said...

Love the owl clock!!!

CJG said...

Oh, my! I'm torn between the owl and robot clocks (for myself) and the "Goodbye" cutout,the Mustache and Glasses Photo Prop set and the "Talking Bubble" sign (which I'd use for our 6th grade end of the year celebration for our team). I'm adding the shop as a favorite!

Taylor B. said...

I love the "Love" sign, and the mustache/glasses set

Whitney said...

I love the flag banner and the cake topper!

Amy B said...

Love the clocks!

RaeLyn said...

That Cute and simple sign is great. I love what you did with it too!

Kiera said...

I would love the simple arrow...I would paint "1986 this way" on it for my husband's office!

Unknown said...

I love the chandelier!

annemarie said...

Love the cupcake stands - cute items.

Pat C. said...

I'm not entering the giveaway, but I wanted to comment on how cute your 1st day of school signs are! (And I think that your handwriting is quite lovely!)

xoxo

danielle :) said...

I have to pick ONE thing I like?! They're all so cute :) I guess I'd pick the cake stand or the cupcake stand right off the bat...but I love the chandeliers and her frames as well...all adorable!

jengd said...

My son would love that robot clock!

ELP said...

I love the Cute and Simple mdf wood sign! Though all of the stuff is adorable!

Paige said...

That cake topper is so awesome. I also love the floral clock and ampersand!

Unknown said...

I love these signs my favorites include the MR. AND MRS. Guestbook, the love, arrow, and mdf wood sign, I just got engaged, and would love to use one of these at our wedding next year! Thank you for an awesome giveaway! Good luck to everyone who enters!

Molly Huggins said...

Gotta be the wooden banner! But love the cupcake stands too ... or the cardboard chandelier ... hmm. This is more difficult than I thought.

Pat K said...

Wow so hard to choose! I think I would get the most use from the banner cake topper! Thanks for the
giveaway!

Ginny said...

Love the set of woooden keys!

Deanna said...

I could order half of her store! I really love the wood owl clock - it would be perfect in my daughter's owl-themed bedroom!

Karen said...

I like to Love sign and the kids rulers - so cute!

SewRaggedyAnn said...

The cupcake stands are cute beyond measure! Would love to win some. Thanks for the opportunity!

Felicia said...

i love the little hello sign

Bethany Crowell said...

Adorable photos...so love your signs! And what a cute shop...so many fun things. Love the cake stand!

Mom & Daughter said...

I love the wooden chandeliers.. those would be so cute hanging in my house. ;)

Casey said...

I love the owl clock and the scalloped frames for your child's artwork! She has fantastic prices too!

Maggie and Sheepie said...

I like the banner cake topper.

Survivor Kalli said...

I love her shop! It's hard to pick one, but I really really love the pennant banner. thanks for an awesome giveaway and, as always, a great blog!

tweetyscute said...

I love the Wooden Owl Clock super cute

ninajanke at gmail dot com

Karenj said...

I love the wooden banner, ampersand and floral clock! Hard to pickk just one favorite. :)

Gifting Gumshoe said...

Love the owl decoration and clock!

cnesselrodt said...

I love the robot clock!! Would love to have this!!

Peggy said...

I love the Mr and Mrs wedding decoration! Cute idea!

Kim said...

I'm loving the heirloom recipe box (in champagne)! So pretty!

coco said...

Oh my goodness! That owl clock! I love that!

Anonymous said...

Oooh I love the robot! What a neat idea to turn it into a clock. My hubby and I have a collection of vintage tim robots and this would be such a neat new addition :)

Megan said...

I'm lovin' the DIY Banner Cake Topper. So cute!

Laura R said...

Love the owl clock! Such a great shop!
mommy.2kidsnc(at)yahoo(dot)com

kelli said...

i am loving the cake banner! that would make any celebration so much more fun :)

Unknown said...

Love everything! But if I had to choose, I would pick the unfinished wood floral clock!

PS New follower, found you through a google search to number blocks! Love your blog! Stop by and say Hi sometime if you'd like!

Thanks for the chance to win!

christyrene7 said...

I love the mustach and glasses props!

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