Framed Chalkboard Menu

Happy Halloween, everyone! It’s finally here! I am super excited because not only will there be candy aplenty, but there’s a powerful cold front moving into the area today which will bring exceptionally cool temperatures to our area. Oooh yeah. Not to mention, Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend and who doesn’t appreciate gaining an hour to their day (especially the morning)? So don’t forget to “fall” back an hour before you hit the sack on Saturday night.

It’s no secret that I love to slap some chalkboard paint on just about anything. I mean, there’s my Wall Organizer in the front entry, my Calendar/Memo Board in the dining room/schoolroom (we homeschool) and now I have a framed chalkboard menu in my kitchen! I love me a good chalkboard surface to draw on. Not only are they fun to doodle on but they are actually quite functional.

I like to plan my meals for the week ahead and I got tired of searching for my meal planning notebook every time I needed to know what was for dinner. I decided to make a chalkboard menu for the wall so I could just glance over at it when needed. It was such a simple project but it’s been super functional for me. I’m loving it so much!

Supplies:

•  1×2 pine board @ 6 ft. long
• Hardboard wall panel (they sell them at Lowe’s) or a smooth, flat board (I used an old drawer bottom that I had on hand)
• Stain of your choice (I used a mixture of Dark Walnut and Classic Grey from Minwax)
• Chalkboard Paint
• Staple gun and staples

First, I cut my 1×2 boards to the length and width of my hardboard.

Then I painted 2 coats of chalkboard paint on my hardboard. While the chalkboard paint was drying, I stained my 1×2 boards. I opted not to apply a protective coating like polycrylic or wax because that part won’t be getting a ton of use.

After the chalkboard paint and stain had dried completely I assembled my hardboard to the frame by placing the 1×2 boards, right side down, in the shape of a frame and then placing the hardboard, right side down, over them until everything lined up perfectly. Then I stapled them together with my staple gun.

Next, I seasoned my chalkboard by running a piece of chalk, turned sideways, over the entire surface. This helps to keep the first writings from being permanently scratched into the surface.

Finally, I wiped the chalk residue off with a wet rag and got to work writing out my menu plan for the week. I thought about writing “Menu” with a permanent paint pen but decided not to since I am always moving my decor around and this project could very well have another purpose in its future. What can I say? I can be a bit indecisive. 😉

Have a great time out there tonight! Stay safe! And head back over here on Monday because I have some super duper awesome news and project that I’m really excited to share with you! ‘Til next time.