I was SOOO excited for this month’s Pinterest Challenge that I got it down a few weeks early! When I saw these chalkboard chargers Jen made from Tatertots and Jello they immediately went on my to make list! (pre-pinterest so I just pinned it last week)
I kept my eye out for cheap chargers and finally found some this summer.
I found these “gold” chargers and sanded them down so they’d be easier to paint.
I sprayed a really this layer of chalkboard spray paint. then another, then another and another… I’ve found that lots of thin layers works better than a few thick layers. since there will always be a plate on the chargers I didn’t bother spraying the center every time…
All stacked up and ready to go!
And onto my new favorite tool, chalk pens!!! I got 8 different colors, and I see collecting a few more colors in my future, like orange and purple for Halloween!!! Lego Boy took right to it- such a fun art project while I’m cooking, then enjoy them while eating!
I get my artistic talent from my mom, she is the original queen of pretty much everything in my family! She and my dad were over for dinner so I wrangled her into writing on the chargers for a special first day of school treat for everyone! (she has WAY better handwriting than I do!)
How cute is this kindergarten plate??? you can see that the center isn’t as thick, or as well done as the outer edge of the charger.
All the kids got into it, but the BOYS really loved it! They even started painting two colors together to create “new” colors! So inventive!
Mom did a great job on the grade chargers for the kids first day of school dinner! We used school terminology along the bottom, each of the kids favorite subjects!
Husband even got one… Yup, he’s working on his 4th degree in the evenings right now!
And I made this one for Stephanie… Thursgetti!!!! You could also do Taco Tuesday (for Emily).
And of course those special days, BIRTHDAYS!!! Or special WEEKS if you party like we do… Baby Boy turned 11 months old the day school started! It was a big day/night for our family!
Our special dinner was Sweet Strawberry Crepe’s with buttermilk syrup (recipe coming this week)
And yes my kids can’t seem to eat without TOUCHING their food- gross I know- we’re working on it…
So have you made anything pinterest inspired lately? Come over to The Pinterest Challenge round 12 and link up what you’ve been up to! Don’t forget there is an amazing prize package and don’t forget to check out what each of the other pinheads have created this month!
The plates are fabulous!! Everyone did a great job. Where did you get the chalk markers? I have been looking everywhere for them and cannot find them.
I ordered mine from Amazon (I order EVERYTHING from Amazon… they should really sponsor me I think
), but I know Joann’s and Michael’s has some too!
These are so cute!! Great job
Thanks! I’m glad I finally got around to making them! I’ve had the supplies long enough! So much fun, and the kids love them.
I LOVE THIS! I have some chargers, I may have to do this with my kiddos! Where did you get the pens?
Also do you like the spray paint over the brushed? I have never used it in a can!! But I do agree on several thin layers.
I got the pens from Amazon. I sanded down the plate first, cause it was so glossy before… and the spray chalkboard paint worked great!
Ditto to the above comment- I have looked for chalk pens everywhere, and no one knew what I was talking about. Cute plates…
Amazon, the magic place where they carry EVERYTHING!!! I do ALL my shopping there! I’ve heard that Joann’s and Michael’s carry them, but honestly I don’t often take all 5 kids to a store.
What a cute idea! Thanks for sharing your wisdom (many thin coats). How well do they wash off so you can redo them?
The ones I didn’t “season” first were harder to wash off. So after you paint them and let them CURE take a regular white piece of chalk and draw all over it, it dulls it down a bit, but the chalk pens will wash off easier that way. Also don’t let them sit… If you wash them within a few hours no big deal at all, if you let them sit overnight like I did the first time (also without “seasoning”) it leaves a dull leftover shadow
I LOVE them! We might do this for our thanksgiving dinner! Thanks for the inspiration. :0)
I can’t WAIT to use them for Holiday’s, guests, more birthday’s, Monday nights etc…!
I’ve been hunting for chalk pens/markers and I’m curious how well these have washed off. Do they leave color behind on the chargers? Which brand are they? The colors are gorgeous and I love this idea
After you paint them and let them CURE take a regular white piece of chalk and draw all over it. This “seasons” the chalkboard, it dulls the dark black a bit, but the chalk pens will wash off easier that way. Also don’t let them sit… If you wash them within a few hours it’s no big deal at all. If you let them sit overnight like (I did the first time) it leaves a dull leftover shadow- boo
I’ve heard of “seasoning” chalk boards but didn’t realize it’s really necessary. Thanks for the tips!
otherwise the first thing you write in chalk tends to stay as a shadow on the chalkboard! BUT it dulls it a bit so not everyone wants to do it!