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Monday, May 10, 2010

Whiteboard to Magnetic Blackboard

We had a very, very ugly whiteboard that was wonderfully magnetic but didn't erase at all. Whatever you wrote was stuck there for life. I had started this project during April Stash Busting but didn't get finished until now. All the supplies were stuff from around the house except for some corner fasteners we used to hold the frame together. Total cost to restore this old whiteboard: $1.23. If we hadn't had wood or paint on hand it would have been more expensive. The blackboard is hanging in a dark narrow hallway so please excuse the pictures.  Here's how we did it:

Start with an old broken whiteboard. If you don't have one, I see them at garage sales for under a dollar all the time. Here's mine:

Take it apart, dismantling frame and removing any hanging apparatus:



Wash thoroughly, allow to dry and then paint with blackboard paint. The one I used required several coats (about four I think) and a 24 hour curing period. Don't rush this or your finished results won't be their best.



Follow blackboard paint instructions (ours said to cover it in chalk and then wash off). Once the chalk board is ready to use you can stencil on a decorative image if desired. 



Add shading. For this, I dabbed on metallic yellow for the flames, the curve of the central piece of the chandelier and a few other spots:



Frame your magnetic blackboard. We had some wood from other projects and cut it to fit. I spray painted the pieces yellow and attached the frame directly to the wall studs trapping the blackboard against the wall. While doing this, we used my ATG gun to hold the blackboard to the wall temporarily.

 


Add Magnets. These are rolled flowers made from scraps of my napkin fabric. I glued our old boring magnets to the back of them with Aleene's Tacky Glue.



And here's what it really looks like. By morning my fifth grader had found the sidewalk chalk and poured out a Mom-Love stream of consciousness extravaganza. I'm a lucky lady.




Linking Up With:

43 comments:

  1. I love this! What a great way to salvage an old white board. I like the yellow frame, too.

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  2. How well does the sidewalk chalk erase? I was talking to another instructor -- one teaching off-site, and using an actual chalkboard for the first time ever -- and he was talking about the struggle of finding chalkboard chalk, and how sidewalk chalk had oils in it that kept it from erasing properly, and thus wasn't an effective substitute.

    Of course, what you're doing with this board is prolly different than what he was doing -- trying to teach an OChem lesson, where he has to erase his figure and chalk a new one up every few minutes. But you mentioned sidewalk chalk, and I was curious.

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  3. LOVE THIS. I never thought about changing over a whiteboard to a chalk board.

    Great Job

    Larissa

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  4. Love this white board redo! Now I'll be looking at the yard sale/thrift store white boards with new eyes. Loved the pop of the chandelier stencil, too. Great idea.

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  5. What a great idea, it is great and I have just the whiteboard in my basement. Thanks!

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  6. Another Great project! Thanks for sharing!
    I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!
    Jenn

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  7. un_freakin_believable!! simply gorgeous!!!

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  8. I love your boys, they clearly adore you and aren't scared to say so which is gorgeous!!!

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  9. Okay that is SOO cute!! I'd love for you to link it up http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/05/sundae-scoop-favs-link-party-and.html

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  10. Your handiness kills me...good grief you come up with some awesome ideas!!

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  11. This came out great! The chandelier is just the perfect finishing touch!

    Coming over from BNOTP and a happy new follower!

    Jeanine

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  12. LOL that is so funny that you are in the contest too! And with the cutest wreath! I can't believe those are paper towels, they don't even look like them!! I love this! If I don't win, I for sure hope you do!! :) Good Luck, it looks like you're doing awesome already!

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  13. Awesome redo! I have the same beat up whiteboard in my kitchen, and I'm in love with all chandelier thingys (technical terminology, I know!) I might have to give this a shot!
    Great job!

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  14. I just love your blog and all of your ideas...come to my house! Come link up for the Making Monday marvelous party @ C.R.A.F.T.!

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  15. Love the bright yellow! Fun color!

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  16. Cute! Cute! Cute!

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  17. Wow, this is too cool! I'll have to be on the lookout for erase boards now! :D

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  18. The bright yellow juxtaposed with the black and white is right up my alley! Love this!

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  19. Gorgeous. I love the chandelier stenciled on it!

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  20. What a fabulous transformation. Love the magnets too! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  21. I love that you save this and made it beautiful. Love the stencil! Looks like there is a lot of love you your home....you are blessed. I am diggin the red hair!!

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  22. I am literally kicking myself here Nicole. I just took a small white board to the dump for the exact reason you said. It wouldn't clean off. Curses. The crafter in me is mentally yelling very loudly in my ear to NEVER chuck anything away *sigh* it was in my blitzing session, it's all a nightmarish blur :P

    This is gorgeous Nicole - I'll have to remember it for next time - love all your little love messages :)

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  23. Hi Nicole! Just wanted to let you know I'll be featuring your erase board today. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  24. WOW that is soooo cute!!! I have been trying to think of something to put on my son's blank wall in his room and now you've given me a great idea!! I adore the yellow frame, as well!! TOO cute!
    xoxox Holly

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  25. That's awesome! I know what I'm doing this weekend! ❀ Thanks ❀

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  26. Great project to salvage something that wasn't working for you. You simply cant go wrong with chalkboards, and kids will write the funniest things on them! Have fun with it. Great job.

    Come on over to www.recapturedcharm.com for my 1 yr blogiversary giveaway. Sterling silver/gem necklace is up for grabs.
    See you there!
    Lisa

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  27. This is an amazing project! It is gorgeous!

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  28. So cute!!! I did something like this with one of my whiteboard that had the same problem. Love the chandelier that you do!

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  29. Hi..I’m Barb…I am from tip junkie.. I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
    & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!

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  30. Wow that is awesome! I love the way it looks, great job!

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  31. I love this. I think I really want to do this for my little girls bedroom. So chic, and practical!

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  32. I love this too and i'm gonna try it out. I've added a link to it on http://puzzlingposts.blogspot.com/2010/05/crafts-galloreeven-one-ive-done.html

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  33. Love this!!! Great job & great color choice!

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  34. What a creative idea! I love everything about it! The chandy is adorable and the little flower magnets are perfect. So glad you linked up!

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  35. Great way to recycle! Love the chandy too! Great job!

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  36. Great idea to combine the magnetic board with chalk!

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  37. So cute and I love your flower magnets!

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  38. It's so great, and you must be a FANTASTIC Mom for all of those complements!

    www.thatredheadedstepchild.com

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  39. Fabulous idea! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  40. Just saying thanks wouldn’t just be enough, for the fantastic fluency in your writing. ReMARKable dry erase paint

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  41. Just I say that be looking at the yard sale/thrift store whiteboards with new eyes and for the fantastic fluency in your writing. We offer sofa cleaning service Dubai provider.

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Thanks so much, your comments make my day!