I’m so happy to be joining in a Christmas Ideas Tour this week with a pile of talented bloggers. We’re sharing holiday ideas for mantels, tablescapes, wreaths, and thrifty crafts and there’s something for every style. Be sure to read and pin my repurposed chalkboard tray and then click through on all the links below to see the other creative ideas in this tour!
I love thrift stores! Finding something super cheap to transform is just fun, isn’t it? I recently bought a cheap silver tray knowing that it would make a really great chalkboard that I could use for Christmas greetings, a posted menu on Christmas Day, or fun messages for the family.
To transform it, I used red craft paint and chalkboard coating. If you haven’t heard of chalkboard coating {affiliate link}, you have to check it out. It’s truly one of my favorite products because it can turn any surface into a chalkboard. Crazy, right?
I painted two coats of red craft paint onto the tray, using the rim as a natural border and then I covered it with two coats of chalkboard coating painted on in a cross-hatch fashion, one after the other.
I rubbed chalk all over it to condition it …
… and then added a cute little Christmas message.
I love the idea of changing the message throughout the season. You could even use it as an elegant countdown, similar to my rustic wood slice Christmas countdown. However you use it, it’s a super cute and super easy project that starts simply with a thrift store tray!
And now are you ready for some more Christmas inspiration? Take the tour, pin your favorites, and enjoy the beauty!
Monday – Mantels
Petticoat Junktion
My Creative Days
2 Bees in a Pod
Restoration Redoux
Atta Girl Says
Art is Beauty
Cottage at the Crossroads
Housepitality Designs
Shabbyfufu
Tuesday – Tablescapes
Postcards from the Ridge
Town and Country Living
Hunt and Host
Savvy Southern Style
All Things Heart and Home
HighStyle Restyle
This Makes That
Wednesday – Wreaths
Domestically Speaking
Our Southern Home
Mad in Crafts
H2O Bungelow
Sweet Pea
Around The Watts House
Thursday – Thrifty Crafts
Dukes and Duchesses
Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Prodigal Pieces
The Interior Frugalista
Cupcakes and Crinoline
Girl in the Garage
Lindsay Eidahl says
December 3, 2015 at 6:44 amWhat a fun and easy project! Love it! It has been fun touring with you this week! Merry Christmas!
Susan says
December 3, 2015 at 7:11 amSuch a beautiful tray! I love anything painted with chalkboard paint. I never heard of chalkboard coating though. I have to keep that in mind for a future project.
christy @ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
December 3, 2015 at 7:21 amYour tray is so fun and festive! I have never seen chalkboard coating before, l need to give that a try! XO
[email protected] says
December 3, 2015 at 7:21 amI have not heard of chalkboard covering and am definitely going to buy some. I love your sign and see trays like this all of the time at Goodwill that would be perfect to repurpose.
Barb says
December 3, 2015 at 7:39 amoooo…. I love it!
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
December 3, 2015 at 7:42 amI love how fun this is and I love to make everything into chalkboards…why not? 😀 Great job! Pinning…
Marie at The Interior Frugalista says
December 3, 2015 at 9:14 amRandi, I’ve never heard of chalkboard coating and you just rocked my crafting world! I love the red chalkboard paint on your tray – so festive. I have a few thrifty silver trays kicking around and must try this – thanks for the inspiration.
Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says
December 3, 2015 at 10:05 amI love the red, Randi! Such a great idea. I’m doing a lot of red this year and this would be the perfect complement to it.
[email protected] Designs says
December 3, 2015 at 10:42 amLove, love the tray…I am not familiar with the chalkboard coating…I need to put on my New Year’s resolutions to do more crafting and get more familiar with all the wonderful products out there!!
Kim says
December 3, 2015 at 6:13 pmI love the silver and red and then I spy plaid. All looks so good together.
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
December 3, 2015 at 7:11 pmWhat a great transformation! Love the red and silver!
Kim @ Hunt & Host says
December 3, 2015 at 10:00 pmNot sure how I missed it, but I have never seen chalk paint coating! I’m going to have to try this! y project for a ton different uses!
Jennifer Dawn says
December 10, 2015 at 10:27 amWhat a fun idea! I love the red! It’s so festive. We’d love to have you share this at our weekly link party. Hope to see you there!
Jamie says
December 17, 2015 at 9:25 amI never knew that they had this in different colors. That is beautiful!! 🙂