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Kitchen Chalkboard Made From Clipboard

July 15, 2013

When making a grocery list, do you ever find yourself wondering what it was that you had run out of during the week? This handy DIY chalkboard made on an old clipboard is the perfect place to record those things you must remember to buy and can even hold coupons or a shopping list too!  


CREATE   |   Published July 15, 2013






>Chalkboard Clipboard



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Rather than relying on your memory when it comes time to do your grocery list, wouldn't it be easier to have already written down what you need?  I like having a chalkboard in the kitchen to easily keep track of the things I run out of.  If I don't write something down when I think of it, I never remember what it was later on.  Sound like you?



Chalkboards are so popular right now, as is "chalkboard art" with fancy writing and decorative elements.  I decided what better thing to make a chalkboard out of than an office clipboard?  It can be hung on the wall, is compact in size, can be decorative, and the clip works to hold coupons you might have.



Clipboard with coupon



To create this product, I started with a clipboard from my local office supply store.  You could also use an old clipboard you have lying around the house or one that you might find at the thrift store.  I personally love the added charm that an old one gives to the project.



Plain Clipboards



Mine was very basic so I stained the back and edges to age the clipboard.    I also rubbed the edges with candle wax so that the paint would sand off easily when I was done giving it an aged appearance.



Clipboards



I also roughed up the metal clip with some sandpaper.  All these steps can be skipped if your clipboard already has that added patina of use.



Metal clipboard clip



Then, I painted the clipboard with four coats of chalkboard paint....three was probably enough, but I wanted to make sure it had a good finish.



Using a White Paint Pen from Sharpie, I added the chalk art writing and details.  The Sharpie comes in multiple sizes from Extra Fine to wide tips and is filled with oil based paint, so the finish is durable.



I sketched out the words "Remember to buy" myself, buy you could lay it out on the computer if you are not comfortable writing it.



Since I was trying to recreate the look of chalk, I didn't try to totally fill in the words.  I left it looking a little more rustic...a little more like it would look like writing with real chalk.  (I picture looks like the letters are solid white, but believe me when I say they aren't!)



Clipboard with chalk



When the piece was finished, I sanded the edges to remove some of the paint.  I wanted to the piece to look like it had been used for awhile.  I also rubbed some acrylic black paint over the metal clip to age it a little more.  (I should have done this before writing the words on, but it still worked).



You'll need to "season" the chalkboard before you use it.  Otherwise, the first words that you write on the new chalkboard surface will be forever etched into the paint.  Instructions on how to do this can be found here.






This idea could be done with any wording and used elsewhere in the house...your office, laundry room.......???



Remember to Buy Chalkboard clipboard



So what do you think....will this help you stay organized in the kitchen?


Kitchen Clipboard Chalkboard


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anderson+grant is a lifestyle blog dedicated to helping you to create a slower, simpler home with contemporary style.

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