I first saw the image of the chalkboard frames on Pinterest a couple months ago and I loved it!! I knew this was something I wanted to try and create for my reception—the idea of handwriting a note to my guest versus having it on a premade sign really appealed to me.
1. To start this project I had to first pick out my frames. I began looking at stores for mirrors and frames that had ornate frames—the more I looked the quicker I found out the more ornate and beautiful the frame the more expensive it was. Of course I could not justify spending upwards of $30 to paint and destroy a frame. So I started looking at some of the thrift stores in town and came across a pair of small gold mirrors. Once I saw them I knew they would be the perfect size for signs on the bar and my candy table.
2. I took them home, went over them with a damp washcloth and window cleaner to get the dirt and grime off, this way the paint would have a clean surface to stick to. I first started by taping down newspaper over the glass. My mom found some spray paint at Menards in the purple I was going for and I used this. When I was finished I was a little bummed because the purple looked too bright (think Barney) and this was not what I was going for.
3. After letting it dry overnight I decided to go ahead and finish the project even though I was unsure of the color. I took the newspaper off the mirror and used masking tape to cover the frames. I had bought a can of chalkboard spray paint at Hobby Lobby for half off and sprayed it as evenly as possible over the mirror. I also let this dry overnight. The next morning, I took all the tape off and was so pleased with the finished project!! The purple I had originally thought was ‘too purple’ was just right when paired with the black surface.
I can’t wait to use this for our wedding and since Minden’s school colors are purple- I figure I will donate them to my mom’s middle school special education class when I am finished. It is a win-win because I don’t have to figure out what I am going to do with them and the school will be able to use them in some way or another.
Have any of you brides successfully completed a Pinterest inspired DIY project? I cannot wait to accomplish my next DIY!!
