Chalkboard Plate Tutorial

I saw an idea several months ago somewhere (probably on one of the million or so blogs I try to read on a semi-regular basis) and thought it was so cute and seemed fairly simple and inexpensive- so I bought the supplies to have them on hand when I had some time and the inspiration struck me.

This week inspiration struck and so I got out my supplies :

• A cute square (you could use any shape but I really liked the square) plate purchased from TJ Maxx (love that store) for only $2.99.




• Blue painters tape (love that stuff)



• A piece of newspaper or some other sort of paper



• A can of chalkboard paint (bought mine at Wal-mart for about $3.00)
  

1. I used the blue painters tape and a piece of newspaper to cover all but a square in the center of the plate. You definitely want to take your time so that your lines are straight.







2. I then took the plate outside and laid it on a sheet of newspaper and carefully and slowly sprayed the square back and forth.






3. I left it to dry for awhile (an hour?) and came back and sprayed it again and again and again. I think I did 4 layers of paint- but the can says 2 is sufficient.





4. When it was dry I peeled off the tape and newspaper.





5. There were a few places where paint had gotten on the plate (where I didn't want them to be) and so I used an Exacto knife (a regular small knife would work) to carefully scrape off the excess paint.





6. I wrote a message on it, plopped it in a little plate stand I got at Hobby Lobby for $2 and voila- it was done!

This was really a super simple project that anyone can do. I can see it being used for so many things- on the dinner table with a message, in a bedroom on a nightstand, on the coffee table with a scripture..........the uses are endless!