Sidewalk Chalk Board

I wanted Tess' party to feel like a candy shoppe as soon as our guests arrived.

I thought a chalkboard sign would be a great way to start things off.

I have seen several chalkboard signs in the blog-o-sphere.  When I was getting ready to make this I couldn't remember where I saw them, and couldn't find a tutorial.  

I had to enlist the help of my handy man and explain what I wanted.

We picked up our supplies at the local Home Depot.

Supplies:

8 big screws

3/8" Manila rope 

1 long piece of facing wood

4'x4' Tri Ply underlayment board

1 can of chalkboard spray paint

1.  We had Home Depot cut the big square of wood down into 2 2x3' rectangles.  These became the main chalkboard.  

2.  Mike cut the long strip of wood into 4 pieces that measured about 12".  These became the feet of the board.  We set the feet pieces 2" in from the outside edge, and they hung down past the bottom of the board 6".  He screwed them in about 2" apart.  Look at the picture with Tess in it.

3.  Next Mike drilled two holes in the top of both boards.  The holes were about 3" in from the outside edge and 2" down from the top.  The holes were slightly larger than the thickness of our rope.

4.  I used the manila rope to tie the top of the boards together.  I threaded the rope through both of the holes and tied a knot on each side.

5.  I didn't buy and paint primer, and I ended up using and entire can of spray paint for both sides of this board.  I set my board up and painted in on the grass.

After I painted the board, I cut off the painted ropes and tied new knots.  That could have been avoided by taping the rope before painting or waiting to tie them together until I was done painting.  Oh well.
I read that you need to prime your chalkboard before writing on it.  You are supposed to rub a piece of chalk all over it, like you are shading, and then wipe it off.  I did this, but I don't know if it really mattered.

Look out neighbors.  I'm busting out the sign for all of our parties and barbecues now!

**We added feet to keep the board from getting warped if it was set on wet grass.  We also didn't use MDF or particle board because it would swell if it got wet.  You never know what could happen at a party and you don't want your pretty little chalkboard to get ruined by water or sprinklers!