I love chalkboards. I think they are so fun, and handy, and definitely useful! I waste a lot of paper leaving little notes for my husband, or jotting down and idea I can’t forget. I’ve always wanted a fun little chalkboard in the kitchen to display the evenings menu, or just a little area for jotting down notes. I figured the only thing that could make a chalkboard better would be the addition of a magnetic element, so you could save a coupon, business card, or just a little photo.
DIY Magnetic Chalkboard
I decided that since I had never seen one I liked, I would make one myself! I am crafty like that. I wanted to keep it cheap, so I could make extras for friends as gifts, and I wanted to make it versatile so I could put it out of the way if I needed to. Counter space around here is worth it’s weight in gold.
I started with a metal tray from the Dollar Tree. I love those! So great, and so versatile!
I decided to paint the border a gorgeous mint color by Martha Stewart called “Beach Glass”
Paint the border very carefully, you can tape it off if you’d like, but you are just going to paint it with a darker color, so it’s fine if you don’t. You will probably need to paint 2 or 3 coats to really get it to stick well. Make sure you let it dry completely in between coats or the paint will ball up and get chunky.
Once your border is done and dry, use chalkboard paint the same way as above, covering the entire space, letting dry and applying 2-3 coats until evenly painted.
Once completely dry, you can do a couple things. You can prop it up in a plate stand and keep it on your counter, you can attach some sticky wall mounting tape and stick it on a wall, or you can do what I decided to do! I attached two strips of magnetic tape, glued down with E-6000 glue (that stuff is a crafter must have!). Let the glue dry overnight.
Because the chalkboard is made from a metal tray, the chalkboard itself is magnetic, adding magnets to the back allows the chalkboard to also stick to the fridge, or another other metal surface you may have! Before using your chalkboard, rub chalk over the entire surface and wipe off to help cure the board and get it ready for use.
Stick it on the fridge, add magnets, whatever you want! It’s an adorable little chalkboard to jot down notes, or display info! Super cute and so easy!
Do you love chalkboards as much as I do? What would you use a magnetic chalkboard for?
I love this, the color, the thriftiness, and it makes for a fabulous looking fridge!
That is adorable – I always see these kind of trays at the thrift store and now I could make something out of them. I’d love to make a few and use for table marking for a potluck!! Love it! Pinned & Tweeted!
That’s just adorable. I definitely need to try this soon.
Love it! I agree with everyone the color is spot on for the season. I am a big fan of chalkboards myself. This looks like a fun weekend project. Thanks for sharing.