Day #12: My Christmas Mantle & How to Make a Homemade Chalkboard { Picture Tutorial}

Welcome to the last day {day #12} of "It's a DIY Christmas" series and link party! This series has been a lot of fun for me to put together and share with you. It has been a big learning experience too! I never realized how much work this could be. I now admire bloggers even more who write and post every day! I have also enjoyed seeing all the posts that other bloggers have linked up. I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to participate and share. I hope you come away from this series encouraged and inspired by each other. 

 If you are just now joining the series, feel free to look around at some of the earlier posts from days 1-11! 

Click HERE for the introduction to the series

Click HERE for Day #1: Faux Mercury Glass Ball Ornaments

Click HERE for Day #2: Advent Calendar Click HERE for Day #3: Chalkboard Art Click HERE for Day #4: Pom Pom Garland {Tutorial} Click HERE for Day #5: Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments Click HERE for Day #6: Making An Evergreen Wreath Click HERE for Day #7: Glittery Pine Cones Click HERE for Day #8: "JOY" Wood Sign Click HERE for Day #9: Ruffled Christmas Tree Skirt Click HERE for Day #10: Twig Star Tree Topper Click HERE for Day #11: Faux French Linen Stockings {no-sew} Today, I am sharing a few more pictures of my mantle and then a quick tutorial on how I make my chalkboards.

In addition to my love of chalkboards, I also enjoy finding and collecting frames as I am out thrifting. I recently found a 30" x 30" frame for $2 and it fit perfectly on my mantle, so I decided to fill it with a chalkboard. Here is what you'll need:

• A frame 
• 1/4" hard board {I got mine at Lowe's. A huge sheet of it was $8 and they even cut it to size for me for free}.
• primer 
• chalkboard paint
• foam roller
• chalk

This is what the 1/4" hard board looks like. First, you will want to prime it {I used a spray primer}. Let dry. Then, apply 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint with the foam roller...waiting the prescribed time in between coats. I have painted my chalkboards with a paint brush and with a roller, and the roller makes a huge different. The finished product will be a whole lot smoother using a roller.

After your chalkboard has completely dried, you will need to season your chalkboard by rubbing a piece of chalk all over the surface. This is a very important step! 

Make sure you get the whole board! 

You can wipe it all off with a wet towel.  

I wrote a post HERE about chalkboard art if you would like some pointers or ideas on what to write on your chalkboard. 

A big "THANK YOU" to everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout this series. I don't do a series like this to "show off" what I have done. In fact, most times it's rather humbling and frustrating - to be completely honest. Through this series and through my blog I hope to inspire, help, and encourage you...even through something as simple as my little DIY projects.  ***** It's the last day to link up! Remember: Any Christmas related blog post is game {recipes, crafts, Christmas family photos, family traditions, etc}. Be descriptive in your titles! The link party will end at midnight tonight {12/12/12...I didn't even plan that}.   The rules:
1.) You may link up a different blog post once every day for a total of 12 entries. 
2.) You must submit a direct link to your post...not just to your blog's homepage.
3.) Your entry/entries may be submitted anytime between now and midnight on December 12th.   Tweeting, pinning, "liking" & sharing on Facebook, instagraming, etc are not required for you to enter, but it would be awesome if you would do what you can to spread the word....whether you are entering a link or not.  Spread the love!  {connect with Emily here}