Thursday, February 9, 2012

Ballard Inspired Chalk Boards

I saw these chalkboards in the Ballard Catalogue and just new I wanted to make something similar.

Aren't they just the cutest!
As you all know, I'm more of a sewer, but during my childhood I used to "putter" in the garage with my father.   That's what he would call it...puttering in the garage.  I have fond memories watching and helping my father putter.  So this project was great because once again I was puttering in the garage with my father!

I used newspaper and a sharpie to draw out and perfect my shapes.  My father suggested I use thin Fiber board which I bought at the local hardware store for $3.00 a quarter sheet.  I could get 3 of my chalkboards out of a quarter sheet.  I traced my newspaper patterns on the fiber board with a sharpie.  Now it was time for my dad to get out his favorite toy.....his Shop Smith.
This thing can do everything!!!
We used what I think is called a band saw?
At first I left all the cutting to my dad since he is an expert at this sort of stuff, but I noticed his eyes aren't what they used to be and he was going out side the lines in a few places, so I took over.  While I cut the shapes, he sanded the edges on the sander wheel you see right behind the band saw.  It was so nice to be puttering in the garage with my dad again!!
I applied chalkboard paint to the fronts, yes I purchased chalkboard paint since this was my first time working with the stuff, I figured I better buy the pre-made stuff.  I know there are simple recipes for it all over Pinterest, but I really didn't want to screw this up.  I applied 2 coats and sanded each coat with 400 grit sand paper.
Since the fiber board was so thin, I knew attaching picture hangers to the back was not an option.  So I decided to hang them with fabric.  I drilled 2 holes, Ripped 1 1/2" wide  strips of muslin so that it would leave raw edges, and fed the strips through the holes and tied knots....instant hanger!
Next was the challenging part for me.  Painting little doo dad lines around the border.  I just used some old trim paint I had left over from who knows what.  It was perfect because it wasn't white white, it was a creamy white.  I let that dry, lightly sanded again and tada.....here's my Ballard Inspired chalkboards.
This one hangs in my kitchen.
  The rest I made for a little consignment shop I put some of my pillows and slipcovers in from time to time.
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44 comments:

  1. Seriously Love these!! I have been wanting to make some of those same chalkboards! I need to see if my dad has one of those saws.

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  2. Very cute! If only I had one of those saws!

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  3. Wow this is gorgeous! I'm very impressed, and I actually like yours better than Ballards ;-)
    Stopping by from Crafty, Scrappy, Happy :-)

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  4. I am so glad I saw this. I have a some of fiber board scraps and a can of chalkboard paint. I think these would look so cute in my little girls room. It's pink, black and white. I just pinned it. I'd love for you to share this at my very first link party.
    Rachel
    http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrific-tuesdays-link-party.html

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  5. Cute! I gotta get one of them saws! =)

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  6. oh darling! love love the scallopy edge - a girl after my own heart! would love to have ya come by for a visit anytime & follow along if you'd like! xo

    www.NorthernCottage.net

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  7. Visiting from Shabby Nest! I love this, they turned out great!

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  8. These are fantastic and look like they came from the Ballard catalog!

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  9. Love these!! They are amazing!! Love for you to come share them at Feathered Nest Friday!

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  10. These are So cute! I'm your newest follower and I would love if you would link up to my little party: www.nutmegplace.com/2012/02/show-off-saturday-1.html

    Hope to see you there!

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  11. These are too cute! I love them! I want a shop smith of my own:0)

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  12. Ohhhhhh! I LOVE these! Awesome job!!! :)

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  13. I love your chalkboards!! I need some in my home!! Love the details!

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  14. These are awesome! Great job! I love working on projects with my dad too. With two daughters, I think he likes the fact that some days I'm the son he never had. :)

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  15. So cute! I love chalkboard paint too!! Visiting from Sunday's Best Party! Drop by my blog sometime!

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    Replies
    1. Jan, So glad you liked my Chalk Boards, they really were a delight to make!
      Jules

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  16. Cute cute! My husband would totally enjoy helping cut something like this on his own band saw- "puttering" like you say :) Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Love these. You did a great job. I cannot get enough of chalkboards and those shapes are lovely!
    Holly
    504 Main

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    Replies
    1. Hi Holly,
      Thanks! So glad you liked them.
      I checked out your blog...Wow you are very accomplished and talented! Looks like you are a California girl too!
      Jules

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  18. They turned out beautiful, and your post brought back some wonderful memories of my grandfather and I in his wood shop...thank you for that :-)

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  19. These are so beautiful! I am amazed by how well you rock the power tools, too! Bonnie and I would be thrilled for you to share this with our readers at our link party! They would love them!

    www.uncommondesignsonline.com

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  20. Featured your project on my blog's Facebook page! Love it!

    https://www.facebook.com/MakingLemonadeBlog

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  21. Me encantan tus pizarras, son preciosas, con tu permiso me hare tambien una. Felicidades desde España
    Besos

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  22. These are so pretty - your pretty good with those tools. They really are some of the prettiest chalkboards I've seen. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration over at Sunday's Best Par.tay!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Glad you liked them.
      Thanks for hosting!
      Jules

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  23. Just Darling... Love those- Great Job-
    I love your blog & a New Follower-
    You should sell those:)
    Karryann

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  24. Love this idea so much that I am featuring it today!
    ~Tonia @TheGunnySack

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    Replies
    1. Tonia,
      Thanks so much for featuring my chalk boards on GunnySack! I appreciate it so much!
      Jules

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  25. I love these! I think yours are better than Ballard's because they are so cute! New follower via Adventures of a DIY Mom link party. ~ Megan

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  27. Such a nice Ballard Chalk Boards you share here, I like this type of chalk boards. This boards paint to the fronts so I always prefer to purchase this type of chalk boards for sharing some new thoughts.
    chalkboards for sale

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