DIY Chalkboard Charger Plate

I have been wanting to do something with chalkboard paint for a while now. I kept seeing all these cute crafts on Pinterest and Etsy involving chalkboard paint and decided I'd give it a try! The great thing about the chalkboard art is you can use it for all seasons. I love that this can be a year-round decoration for Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. I originally planned to use it as a Christmas countdown but who was I kidding? I'm too lazy to change out the number of days until Christmas every morning, so a simple Christmas message that would last until the end of the year was the answer.

I would love to say I am one of those people with picture-perfect handwriting on any surface, but that isn't me...at all. I wrote out a message, erased, tried again, and after several tries decided it wasn't going to look perfect and that's okay. Thankfully Parker isn't a handwriting critic because he loved it when he saw it...bless that sweet husband!

Want to make one too? It's super simple and cost me under $5 to create. Here's what you need:

Materials:
Plate charger (available at Hobby Lobby for $1)
Chalkboard paint
Foam Brush
Chalk









Directions:
1. Use the foam brush to paint your charger with chalkboard paint. It will take several coats to completely cover the charger. For your first coat, paint in a horizontal direction. Let dry an hour. Paint a second coat in a vertical direction, and let dry an hour. I chose to do a third coat in a horizontal direction and then be done. I would probably do a fourth coat if I had it to do all over again. The more the merrier with this project.
2. Once paint is applied and completely dry, lightly color charger with chalk. Leave chalk on the charger for 48 hours to condition the chalkboard. After 48 hours, gently wipe clean with a damp paper towel.
3. Grab your chalk and get to work on your latest masterpiece!

Tips:

• Don't press too hard when using the chalk on the charger. It may be harder to wipe clean.
• Make sure your charger is completely dry each time you write on it.
• All I could find at the store was the big chalk pieces, but buy the smaller ones if you can. They are much easier to write with!