Thursday, January 10, 2013

Mini Chalkboard Gift


You are all going to think I am completely crazy, but {whispering} I've started making Christmas gifts for next year already. I know, I know - but I'm really hoping to give more handmade this next year and so I set a little goal for myself: everytime I make something for myself, I need to make something to give to create a little gift stash for next Christmas.

So, I did recover a pillow recently and it goes with a book review coming up - next week I think! But, in the meantime I went on a blitz and made six gifts in a 24 hr. period. This certainly will not last all year, so I'll just go with it while I am here!

I was laying in bed one Friday night going to sleep and had this vision of these blocks of pine sitting on the bookshelf in my closet knowing I would "use them for something!" And, thinking that these would make such cute little chalkboards.

Next morning when I woke up, I had them done before breakfast! Yes, that is just the way I roll - don't laugh. The blocks of pine were supposed to be for a CC art project, but I just couldn't get them to work for the specified project and needed much softer wood, so they became a potential craft supply. They were free from a fellow CC parent's wood scraps.


Should you want to join me in making one or four of these, here's how! Start with 1x4x4 pieces of wood - these were already sanded smooth, but you might need to soften any rough edges if yours aren't.

Paint with chalkboard paint, I prefer two coats - but whatever you think is good. Side note: I bought this can of chalkboard paint over five years ago to make the big chalkboard in our dining room. It is nearly gone, but now I consider it a crafting staple.


After your two coats are dry, rub a piece of chalk all over to season the board. Then wipe it off really well.


I thought of so many fun things you could do with these - and the beauty is if both sides might show - you could write something on both sides! You could put one in a guest room to welcome guests, include on a tray for breakfast in bed, draw one seasonal icon, etc...




Here's another fun idea I had. Ok, the back story first. Once there were four or us girls who shared a rental house. One of my friends had a little plastic lizard and it became such a joke for us to hide it in unusual places to surprise others. Even after we weren't all living in the same house, we'd tuck it in a package to the other, etc... it just became a long lasting and fun thing. What if you used one of these chalkboards that way?! Who knew when or where it would show up?! Could be a fun family thing to do.




Wrapping it up super cute is optional {or is it?!} but makes it oh so special. I was pleased to find enough chalk in my art drawer and got this bakery twine on Target clearance for thirty cents. The paper tape also came from Target clearance. In the end, these little darlings were pennies a piece!

I re-purposed a basket to become my gift collector and I know that I will have so much fun peering in there over the next months and adding to it!


21 comments:

Mary Ann said...

You are not crazy at all or maybe I'm crazy too... because I'm making it a goal to do a couple of Christmas gifts a month this year. I love giving handmade if I can but when it all gets left until after Thanksgiving, well, that's a recipe for disaster!

I've started this week with making some cloth gift bags for us to use each year. I have meant to make them for several years and by the time we get to Christmas, I have no time to do it! So I'm starting with them first this year--working backwards, I guess!

The chalkboards are cute! I hadn't thought to just use wood. I have a can of chalkboard paint just waiting for a project!

Lisa said...

Very cute! Please keep showing us all of your creations.

Leanne said...

totally adorable and I'm totally pinning this one!!!

Shelby said...

I love it Monica, soo cute. I can't wait to see how to decorate for Valentines Day. I feel like my home needs a little something colorful after Christmas:)

Mom said...

Cute! Thanks for sharing inspiration :) -- love you, Mom

Wendi said...

I don't think you are crazy at all! I think I have a spray can of chalkboard paint and I will be making a few of these this weekend.

I am thinking of making one for each of Megan's classmates. An inexpensive gift for a class party or her birthday bag. The ideas are endless.

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Good morning, you're not crazy...I've been doing a bit of sewing for next Christmas. Spent way too much this year. Love these little chalkboards...mmmm maybe teacher gifts. Can't wait to see whats next.

Coleen

Julian said...

You're not crazy! I have six kids,plus two other littlest to buy for. Types chalkboards are adorable. I'm going to start putting things away myself. You never know what a year holds,and its always good to be as prepared as you can. Even a birthday stash or something. It cuts down on last minute frenzy!!!loll I'm looking forward to seeing more that you create. Thanks for sharing! Christina

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

Love it!! ALL the way....

You're so cool. ;)

Jennifer said...

That's awesome! I always wait too late to start on my handmade gifts. Very inspiring

Lauren (in Savannah) said...

Monica, I love the idea of starting now. Do you have certain people in mind for the gifts or do you just make up what you like and decide later? I would also love to see your other creations.

LynnMarie said...

Not crazy at all----just one smart mamma. Really like that you have a large basket to put it all in. That is my problem, once I've either made something or bought something, I loose it before I get a chance to give it!!!

GeonHui's Bakery said...

Love these! And I love that you're getting a jump start on next year!

a mom of many said...

Such a cute craft! These would make a great place card holders as well..what a fun way to start the day at breakfast, with a sweet note!

Love it!!

angie said...

My thoughts have been on making next Christmas' gifts follow the "rule of hand." (I saw this on a bloghop, but now can't locate the source.) I

In essence, all gifts fit into 5 hand categories:
1. handmade
2. hand-me-down
3. second hand
4. helping hand (coupons for tasks you will do for recipient)
5. hand-in-hand (gift of time spent with the recipient, eg. restaurant gift card)

Now I have to get my family on board with this idea. Given this, I think Christmas crafting in Jan. is wise. I like your goal of pairing a handmade for you with a handmade for another. As you know, I will apply chalkboard paint to nearly anything! Just waiting to find a wide diameter log to cut off slices for chalkboards.

Believe it or not, I picked up that same baker's twine from Target clearance and then returned it! Ugh! I felt like I had bought too much clearance, but really, how much room does a card of string take up?! Kicking myself now!

Kelli said...

Monica I love these!How fun would they be around the house.
You are so creaving!

Anonymous said...

LOVE!!!!! I always appreciate it when you share your Christmas crafting ideas with us. I have a goal of gift making throughout this year as well.

Michelle in Georgia

Anonymous said...

Very cute....and what is the crocheted item peeking out of the goodie basket?

Countrywoman said...

what a wonderful idea that everytime you make yourself something you make a gift for someone else too :-)

*carrie* said...

Super cute, as always!

Love what Angie posted in her comment, too.

Grace said...

Love love love these!! So cute. Having fun catching up on your blog. Miss you.