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Old Picture Frame Chalkboard Easel

Published by Gail | Published | Updated
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Hi! It is Mindi again from MyLove2Create, and I have a super fun and EASY project for you today!

An Old Picture Frame Chalkboard Easel.

Old picture frame chalkboard easel



It is funny, I do projects all the time, and mostly my kids are semi interested or don't even ask what I am working on. Eventually they are pleased with the final product, but in process they don't pay too much attention.

This one was different, and I am not sure why, but it was a BIG hit at our house. I was talking with my kindergartener about what I was making and he realized that this was going to be a fun toy, he talked about it up until I dropped him off at school.

The other kids obviously got filled in on the details on the walk home from school, because they came in yelling..."Can we use it to play store? School? Etc..." They were so excited and have been playing with it all afternoon and evening.

kids using chalkboard easel

Getting ready to play store. Apparently they are selling syrup, honey, and gum. 🙂  The chalk board "art" was quickly erased and filled with all sorts of fun kid ideas, the photo on the right was when I first let them loose with the chalk.

 

Free picture frames

old picture frames

I have had these frames for so long I can't even remember where I got them. But what I do remember, they were free. I saw them the other day and for some reason I finally knew their fate.

Why is it that you can look at something multiple times a week for over a year and never get an idea, and then one day it hits you and you know exactly what to do?

removing nail, eye screws, and old tape from picture frame

Anyway, I set to work prying out the nails and removing the eye hooks and wire. There was masking tape on the back that looked 50 years old, I scrapped it off too.

Chalkboard Plywood

¼ inch chalk board panel

I went to my shed to see if I could find some ¼ inch plywood to make chalkboards out of to fit in the frames, but I only had enough for one. After I stewed over what to do I decided to just go to Home Depot and buy some.

I was pleased to find that the cost of just plain wood and this chalkboard panel was the same. Since I had to buy it anyway I just bought the chalkboard panel, and it saved me painting! This piece was just under $10 and it is 2 feet by 4 feet. I thought that was a pretty good deal.

Cut plywood with circular saw

cutting chalkboard panel with circular saw

I took it out and cut it upside down with my circular saw to fit inside my two frames. We still have snow on the ground but it was a nice day. So it was good to be outside.

Spray paint picture frame chalkboard easel

spray paint picture frames

I had a can of red spray paint and used it for the frames. I wanted blue (cause I love it) but I am glad I went with the red, it is such a fun color!

prime chalkboards and place in frame

While the frames were drying I primed my chalk boards. Then I used some new nails, and hammered them in at an angle to secure the chalkboards. I was able to mostly use the previous holes from the nails I had removed, which made it easy.

chalkboard frames

I now had two super cute framed chalk boards! But I wasn't done...

Attach hinges to make Picture Frame Chalkboard Easel

attaching hinges frames to make chalkboard easel
With some simple utility hinges I attached the frames together. I made sure to pre drill first before I screwed them into the frames, this ensures that the wood doesn't split.
dding eye hooks for bottom of easel
Using the same eye screws I had removed from the frames previously, I re-attached one on each frame near the bottom. After the steps below, I attached some twine to each eye hook so it would not slip and fall flat while in use.
adding handle and chalk holder
Next, I added a handle so it was easy for my kids to cart around. I used some rope and stapled one end on the inside of each frame at the top. Because I also wanted a spot for chalk, (what good is a chalkboard without any chalk!) I used a scrap piece of leather and hot glued the ends down to make a pouch for chalk on the inside of one of the frames. I did something similar on my Sign and Chalkboard in One, and it has held up very well.

Stencil with chalk

using stencils for chalkboard art
Now I have to be honest, I am not good at chalkboard art, but I LOVE Chalkboards! So I was trying to decide if I should just overlay some chalkboard art in pick monkey when I had a thought...why not use stencils?! I quickly grabbed some and tested it out, and it works like a charm!
chalkboard easel from old frames folded up
Way cuter than my own handwriting! I took this shot to show you how easy this Chalkboard easel would be to store...
Easy to carry and store chalkboard easel
And to carry. What a great thing for a craft show, or a party, or well, anything really. I mean everything looks cuter written on a chalkboard, right?
Old picture frame chalkboard easel chalk pouch
I love the chalk all tucked away inside, ready for use. This side was the first one I started experimenting with the stencils on. I didn't map it out, I was just having fun...and I ended up leaving it. 🙂  Since the ground was wet from melting snow I put my new chalkboard easel on my Old Fence Wood Bench for pictures.
chalk board easel from frames
Oh, and here is a shot of the eye hooks and twine. I made sure to attach my eye hooks one higher than the other so they didn't hit when I closed the easel.
Old frames into chalkboard easel
That is it! I loved making this and really had fun with the chalkboard art, I think maybe with the stencils I might be able to do something cool, it would be worth the time to display as decor. Speaking of decor, I put this on my mantel and it looked good up there, so that is another idea. 🙂
Do you have any old frames that would work for this? What would you use a chalkboard easel for?
Hugs,
Mindi

see more of Mindi's posts on MRL here

Looking for more Chalkboard Ideas,

Related Content: Picture Frame Ideas For Home Decor and More

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About Mindi

Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

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  1. debbie

    i love this idea,, I've made lots of chalkboards but none like this. Thanks for sharing. I'm thinking it would make a great birthday present for a niece's birthday in a couple of months.

    Reply

  2. Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com

    This is such a fun and functional project. It is also a great way to repurpose some items along with getting the kids involved and makes it convenient to have two sides for more than one person to use at a time. Very creative. It also reminds me of sandwich boards outside of businesses advertising their specials. Great Job!!!

    Reply

  3. gail@myrepurposedlife.com

    Mindi

    I love your picture frame chalkboard easel. Easy DIY project for sure! The handle is my favorite component, it just adds to the charm of your easel. 🙂

    Have I told you lately how happy I am that you are a contributor for MRL?

    gail
    ps I'll have to try some chalkboard stenciling (instead of cheating in picmonkey) 😉

    Reply