Lemme tell you something. I’m crooked. No, not in the way like a bank robber or someone stealing your pension. But, I cannot write straight to save my life. Anything I try to write without lines either goes uphill or downhill – and we all know how that ended for Jack and Jill. Bad.
I’m also unsteady. So, holding a pen and being artistic doesn’t come easy for me. BUT, I was able to figure how to “cheat” and this solution is GENIUS…GENIUS I tell you!
What in the world does hand lettering or chalkboard writing have to do with home management?! Everything, my friend. Everything. It’s part of making your home beautiful. It’s part of writing on a board for school. It’s part of having a creative outlet for yourself so you don’t go insane in the membrane.
First, I should admit I spent some time to increase my skill by taking the free lettering course from CreativLEI. If you haven’t checked that out, you really should.
I also found a really easy way to write nicely on a chalkboard, even if you’re crooked like me. I got the original instructions from Pinterest, but I changed it a bit to suit my needs.
I did a demo of this method over on Periscope (I’m @humorhomemaking over there), and I’ll put that video below for ya. Sometimes it just helps to see something instead of read it.
The Cheater’s Way to Write on a Chalkboard
Supplies:
- Chalkboard (My chalkboard is an old cabinet door that I painted with chalkboard paint)
- Printed text or graphic layout (I use free printables from Pinterest) in size desired. I use 8×10 in the video
- Chalk
- Pen/Pencil/Marker
- Tape (any kind will do as long as it isn’t too sticky)
- Chalk marker (I use the one linked)
- Paint brush
Step 1: Turn printed sheet over and color entire BACK of the sheet with chalk. Make sure you get it nice and thick on there – then blow off the extra chalk that will accumulate.
Step 2: Center paper on chalkboard with the chalk size against the board. When it’s in place, tape it there around the edges so it won’t move while you’re working.
Step 3: Take the pen/pencil/marker and use it to trace the words and shapes. Pretend like you’re just writing it yourself. Press down with moderate pressure so it will transfer to the board behind the paper.
Step 4: Carefully remove the sheet of paper to reveal your traced image underneath! Cool huh? Don’t worry about the extra chalk. We will take care of it in a minute.
Step 5: Use your chalkboard marker to draw over your traced image. Be careful not to smudge your outline.
Step 6: After the chalkboard marker dries, you can use a paint brush to gently wipe away the extra chalk residue. If you’re using real chalk, this won’t work as well because the brush will take the chalk away…but the marker will stay put.
You’re a pro at hand lettering and you don’t even know it!
** When I want to remove the chalkboard marker for a new board, I am able to easily get it off with a Magic Eraser.
That’s it! You’ll be chalkboarding everything now! I hope you’ve found this helpful. And I hope to see you over on Periscope sometime. 🙂
Awesome!! I am totally giving this a try. I’ve always been intimidated about using chalkboards in my home b/c I don’t have fancy handwriting but this “cheat” would totally work!! Thanks for sharing – it looks great!
I hope it works great for you, Sarah! It’s so much fun!
AHA! Brilliant Stacy!!!!
I am going to have to use this, I have terrible writing and no Pinterest ability at all. Now to make a chalkboard for my fireplace
I have great Pinterest ability – if that means you browse it and pin bunches of stuff you’ll never do. LOL LOL
Love it! And pinned. 🙂
Thanks, Jamie!
Love your chalkboard! Here’s my tip for making tape not too sticky: Apply the piece of tape to a piece of clothing first. It removes some of the tackiness of the tape.
Good tip, Deborah!