This is a post about how an accident became a great idea. I realize there is blog over-saturation about chalkboard paint projects. While I still never can get enough of it, I do know that it is out there in the blog world in masses.   I truly hope the trend does not go out for a while.  When you live in a small space, functional design is crucial.  The organizational ability and flexibility of chalk board painted items is easy an inexpensive. Now, about my accident.  Due to a little accident (explained later on)…..

I have found away to create a chalkboard without using chalkboard paint!

Just for fun, here are some things that I have “chalk boarded” in my home, using actual chalkboard paint.

The first thing I ever did was chalkboard a coffee bin in my kitchen.  The black in the chalkboard paint matches my kitchen cabinets and it was a fun way to store all of my mostly used items such as coffee, creamer, sugar, honey and tea.

The next thing that got a chalkboard makeover where my garage cabinets.  These were freebies from Craigslist. The ad said to come pick them up from the side of the road so we did.  The Hubs hung them and I painted the outside blue and painted the front detail with chalkboard paint. I always know what tools are where.  Check out how we did it here.

Finally, my biggest project was painting a framed piece of clearance drywall with chalkboard paint.  I change it up with different quotes and seasonal sayings.

My next chalk project has nothing to do with chalkboard paint, but everything to do with chalkboard.  Confused?  Let me explain. I was invited to the baby shower for little Canyon, whose room I designed for his mama about a month ago.  I wanted to help her with a few of the ideas that I suggested in the room.  I told her I would make her a mobile and I would modge podge her some bins for the space above Canyon’s closet.  I bought some clear bins at Target and used the same process that I did here with my kitchen and hallway modge-podge bins.  Here is how they turned out.

The little chalkboard decals were a last-minute decision. After covering them in fabric, I felt the bins needed something more.  This little addition happened on accident.  I was doing a little sewing for another project while I waited for the last bin to dry.  While sewing, I always have my chalk out for marking fabric.  I accidentally swiped one of the dried modge podge bins with the chalk and noticed that you could easily wipe the chalk off the modge-podged fabric with a damp rag.   A little light bulb went off in my head.  I went to my craft storage bins so see if I had any scrap fabric.

I found some leftover fabric from my guest bedroom upholstered headboard.

I also found some leftover Heat-N-Bond that most people use for applique.  Since I need a baby shower gift about once a month, I always have Heat-N-Bond on hand alongside a pack of onsies.

I used Microsoft Word shapes to make this label looking cutout.

I followed the directions and ironed on the Heat-N-Bond to the back of the uncut fabric.  (sorry, no picture here) The purpose of the Heat-N-Bond was not to attach the fabric to the bin.  I knew the fabric would fray once I cut it, therefore I used the Heat-N-Bond to serve as a sticky gel to keep the fabric together when I cut it.

I used the template to cut out the bonded fabric.  The last step was to put three coats of modge podge on the (non-bonded) fabric side.  Once it was dry, I peeled the backing off the back and used Spray adhesive to attach it to the bin.  This was the end result.

aaaa

aaa

With one little wipe with a damp rag, my labels were ready to be relabeled.  This was so easy! This was the storage space we were trying to fill with the bins.

I like the way it turned out: (please excuse the light in this picture, Canyon’s mom sent me the picture via her phone because I couldn’t attend the shower)

 Materials Needed for a Fabric Chalkboard:

• Heat-N-Bond
• Dark Fabric (any color)
• Modge Podge
• Template Cut Out (Use Word, Pages, Googled silhouette)
• Scissors

Ideas for this Craft:

• You could applique chalkboard graphic onto a pillow.
• Glue a magnet to the back and you have a great fridge quotes.  Better yet, reuse the save-the-date magnet you got for the wedding a year ago.
• Use it to make bunting.  Bunting is the rage for shower, holiday and even home decor.
• It could be a fun way to get rid of your fabric scraps and use them for christmas gift wrap.  You could reuse them next christmas!
• You could add chalkboard to a basket that is removable.
• Use it for name tags.

Jennifer