Vintage Inspired DIY chalkboard

What does a big old farmhouse that also happens to be a homeschool need??

Why a big ol’ wood-framed DIY chalkboard of course!

So in a 100+ year old house there are often gems hiding everywhere. Which by the way is just amazing to find authentically old stuff that I can turn into great pieces . Around here I have found old painted wooden window frames, old China cabinets, old desks, old doors and even this old wooden (possibly picture frame) but it’s huge! ( and seriously has anyone checked the prices for bigger chalk boards, useful for homeschooling?? It’s crazy what they want for those things!)

when I find this beauty, that’s is still in great shape, I ecstatically pitch the chalk board idea to the hubs. With only a slightly side-ways glance, that I’m pretty sure says ‘Woman like I don’t have enough to do already with a full-time job, family, 40 + birds (some of which need butchered) goats which need a new fence, a greenhouse to build, gardens to weed, 2+ acres to try to keep mowed (in a Kansas version of monsoon season), a farmer to help with harvest, a part-time military career which has a PT test coming shortly (which needs to be prepared for), but I’ll find space to make a chalk board, for you’….. Well I’m pretty sure that’s what he was thinking?

So all we need is hardboard from the local hardware store $18. (our frame is 30×50 inches so we need a large piece of hardboard and chalkboard paint, which we already had!

A little measuring, a little cutting…

Little chalkboard paint…..

And voila!!!

I pictured our DIY chalkboard here with a hobby lobby chalkboard that cost me $24.99 and is about 14 inches by 14 inches. All said and done ours was well $18 plus left over chalkboard paint, so maybe $30 if you count that too. (I found similar size chalkboards on overstock ranging from $200-$350) Cha-Ching ?money saved!

What do you do if you don’t have an old frame??

• Check old house storage areas (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncle etc)
• Check at antique stores
• Check at flea markets
• Get simple trim at a hardware store and make a frame (you can put your own unique flare in this way)

Check out other Money saving DIY projects.

Beth

Beth is a mother of 6 living on a handful of acres in an old farmhouse in central Kansas. Beth has a background in the military and health and fitness however her passions come from her homestead life. Beth is an enthusiastic homeschooling mom, avid organic gardener, chicken & goat wrangler, who is obsessed with herbs and natural remedies and maintaining an all-around Do-It-Yourself lifestyle. Beth loves to share all she has learned about and sustainable living. While striving for a healthy, natural life, family-centered life.