Make Your Own: Chalkboard - Dry Erase board

I have become obsessed with using picture frames as dry erase boards (thank you Pinterest).  I have a grocery list  and weekly calendar hanging in the kitchen, along with Gabe's job chart.  

TIP:  I found that if I write my grocery list on the dry erase board and then take a picture of the list on my phone, it's WAY easier to keep track of this list than an actual piece of paper.  My purse is a black hole - many a list, cookie, diaper and writing instrument has been lost inside.  Where they come out?  I would like to know, I'm sure there's a pile somewhere.  

Back to the point.

I decided a while ago that I wanted to use these old, banged up frames I had to make something for the boys to use.  After finally having both the supplies and time, I was able to complete this project of turning picture frames into a chalkboard on one side and a dry erase board on the other.

I started by spray painting my frames.  The only reason I did this is because the wood and paint on the frames were chipped.  If you're not worried about it, or have perfectly nice looking frames, skip this step.  Then I spray painted the backings of the frames with chalkboard spray paint.  It took a couple coats to get the nice dark chalkboard color.  I'm definitely no expert at spray painting, but I noticed that the paint came out much smoother if the boards were vertical rather than standing over them and spraying.  Maybe that's the way you're always supposed to spray paint?  Like I said, I'm a beginner spray painter.

After the spray paint dries completely (I ended up doing three coats and left it in the garage overnight to dry), you need to coat the surface so the chalk will adhere to the paint better.  I took the long edge of the chalk and brushed it against the backing until it was completely covered.  Then you wipe the chalk off with a paper towel and the board is set.  You can now draw on it until your hearts content!

Then you just put your frame back together.  I measured and cut off a piece of blank white paper to go inside the frame for the dry erase part, but you could decorate that piece of paper with dot to dots or coloring book pages.  After they were assembled, the boys had lots of fun with their new toy.

These frames are pretty big, but you can definitely use something smaller.  I can't remember how much I bought them for at Target a couple years back, but I know you can buy 8x10 frames at the Dollar Tree.  If you don't like the design they come in, just spray paint them or recover them in fabric.

Like I always say, just be creative!  That's half the fun!  

OH, and if you see below, I now have a "pin it" button on ALL my blog posts.  Be sure to "pin" your favorite ideas!