
It was back to school for me today, and man was getting up early tough! I am such a night owl by nature because me and early mornings just do not get along. Anyone else want to organize a school that starts around 10:00am??
Anyway, we definitely made the most of break and finished my office makeover. I already posted my office chair tutorial, but I’m back with an even easier project for you. This one cost a little more, but was far less work.
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Step One: Find a large picture frame. The one I used was from Ikea. You’ll also need a piece of magnetic steel. I used an oil drip pan from Walmart. It was $12, but large enough to make several boards. Depending on the size of your board, you could also use a cookie sheet or cut steel from somewhere like Lowe’s. I had to use Simple Green to wash the pan first.
Step Two: Use the backing of the frame to trace a pattern on the steel.
Step Three: Cut out your pattern. I used tin snips and it was pretty easy to cut.
Step Four: Double check to make sure your piece actually fits in the frame. I had to trim one edge of mine a little more.
Step Five: Use spray paint primer to give your steel a quick coat of primer. This will help the chalkboard paint go on easier and you won’t need as many coats. My husband is big on following label directions, so he lightly sanded the board after this step.
Step Six: Paint the chalkboard surface with chalkboard spray paint. Mine took a couple coats.
Step Seven: Let your board dry for 24 hours before writing on it. I love it!
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That’s it, super easy! I have one more tutorial for you (the easiest and cheapest yet!) soon. Until then, all of this beach inspired work in the office had me feeling creative. We‘re using lots of teal and aqua, which may quite possibly turn into my new favorite color {sorry, purple}. So… I whipped up new doodles, alphabets, and frames to use in some of my projects. I thought someone else might be able to use them too so I added them to my TpT store.
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Man, I‘m wiped out. How many days ’til spring break? 😉

Oh my goodness! What a super cute idea! Thanks for sharing!
Happy New Year,
Laura
TIPS: Teach, Inspire, and Prepare Students
What a super cute magnetic chalkboard! You are so creative in everything you do, Christi!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Ah, thanks Elizabeth! I'm trying to decide what else to cover with my leftover paint. 🙂
So cute! I'll join your 10:00 school. It's so hard to get up early on cold dark winter mornings!
Sara 🙂
Smiling In Second Grade
Your magnetic chalkboard looks terrific! I'm tryin to do a little redo on my office. I may have to give this a try!
School starting at 10 would make it a lot easier to get my daughter up on time. ;P
Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
You are so creative! The chalkboard looks great and seems easy enough too!
Lori
Conversations in Literacy
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