DIY Chalkboard Party Sign Tutorial

One of the reasons I loved making this crafty decoration is because of how useful it's turned out to be - long after the party happened. It also didn't hurt that it really added a ton of functional beauty to the party buffet station we set up for our guests to enjoy. In fact, everyone liked it so much it turned into the photo backdrop for many a family shot with the birthday girl.

Rather than make a custom banner for my mom's surprise 50th birthday BBQ, I decided to utilize the leftover chalkboard paint I had lying around to make a custom sign that brought our theme and color scheme into the space.

What's also great about this DIY idea is that it's so budget-friendly - most of the supplies you'll need, you'll probably already have on hand.

You can also reuse this craft for everyday to-do's and future parties. Here's the quick tutorial.

Supplies

A piece of plywood (or any size you want - we used a 2ft x 3ft one)
Chalkboard paint
Sponge brush
Old magazines or newspapers
Molding, cut to fit your frame (I relied on my husband for this, but your local Home Depot or Lowes should be able to help cut it, too!)
Hammer
Nails

Directions

Step 1: Find a piece of plywood that suits your purpose. Try to get a piece that's as smooth as possible. If you have to, sand your wood to even it out.

Step 2: Clean the wood with a damp sponge, then lie out over an area completely covered in old newspapers or magazines.

Step 3: Apply your chalkboard paint. Use your sponge brush to distribute the paint and coat the wood evenly. Cover the front, back and all sides - you'll have to do this in batches after sides dry.

Step 4: Repeat the paint process. We did a total of 3 coats, but 2 might suffice for you!

Step 5: Once your wood has completely dried, nail on your molding.

Step 6: Decorate and showcase!

This post was sponsored and inspired by Pear Tree Greetings, but the great ideas come from the creative minds of our contributors, not the advertiser. Inspire yourself and visit Pear Tree for first birthday invitations, thank you notes and holiday cards.