DIY Vintage Framed Chalkboard Signs

Lemonade anyone? A few months backs, I ordered some vintage frames off of Etsy for a wedding project I had in mind. However, once the frames arrived I didn't quite see them working the way I had originally envisioned. Stumped on what to do with them, the fabulous Apb suggested turning them into chalkboard signs to use at our wedding. Genius, right? Why didn't I think of that?

So we asked my neighbor Matt, to cut us some wood inserts that would fit in each of the 5 different sized frames. Matt just finished high school and is an amazing wood worker heading off to study carpentry at college. He cut the inserts out of Masonite in about 10 minutes and did a perfect job rigt out of his workshop in his garage; he made it look so easy!

You want to make sure you have the following supplies as well; your inserts and frames of course, regular old chalk to write messages on your signs, scissors to trim the ribbon if you plan to add ribbon to your frames to hang them, glue to adhere the inserts to the backs on the frames, a screwdriver to remove any nails or hooks inserted in the back of the frames, and last but not least chalkboard paint. I used the spray kind from Michaels as opposed to paint you use a brush with and it worked well. I sprayed 2-3 layers of paint on each insert and still have a little under half a can left.

After spraying each wood insert with a few coats of paint, you want to let them dry for at least 24 hours before writing on the boards and gluing them into the frames. You can use the screwdriver to remove any little pieces from the back of the frame. Once you have waited to let the pieces dry, you will run some glue along the edges of the inside tray on the frame (where the glass usually sits). Plop in your insert, press down to get the glue to stick and voila! You have a new chalkboard sign :) If you want to use ribbon for hanging or decorative purposes you can glue that onto the frames while the inserts are drying. You know, kill two birds with one stone kind of thing...

I think we will use two of the frames at our bar; one to tell guests about our signature drink and the other to have a cute little message like Apb loves Rbs (or Rbs loves Apb, we will see :) I have ordered some vintage striped straws and think they will look smashing in a nice cup beside the signs. Plus they will spice up everyone's drinks, no?

I think another one will go on a cruiser table beside the door to the patio (where the ceremony is taking place), that will say "Cards and Guestbook" and here will be our birdcages, guestbook and a flower arrangement. Then one will most likely go on our dessert dresser and perhaps one by the flower petals set up but that's a whole other DIY project I have in store for you :) Have a fabulous rest of the weekend loves! xo