I’m back from a whirlwind trip to Vancouver for Blog Podium and some visit time with friends. While I process all my notes and write a recap for you- I figured I’d get in the Halloween spirit a bit! Because… October is THIS week, friends! This DIY Trick or Treat Chalkboard is so simple, I can hardly call it a DIY. But I’ve thrown in a template for you to letter your own- so even if you have a different chalkboard you want to letter for halloween, you can snap up the template and get spooky with us.
I felt a bit foolish making it this early, but as soon as I hung it to take photos for you, my kiddos have been in love with their new ‘kitty’. So it’s staying up in our living room- I just can’t take it down and not see them give it kisses every day. Seriously- they’re the cutest with this thing! You could really letter whatever you like on there- I’ve spotted count down to Halloween boards (although I didn’t think I would remember to actually change the number of days) and some fun riddles.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:
- Cat shaped hardboard cutout (craft section at dollar store)
- Chalkboard paint (Rustoleum makes this chalkboard spray paint that is SO quick to apply)
- Chalk
- Template if you wish (get it here)
Start by removing the twine or however your hardboard cutout is hung. Then get to painting! I just painted the one side of my chalkboard, but you could make it double sided if you like (and say flip it over to say ‘all out of candy!’). I used Rustoleum’s spray chalkboard paint and loved that I didn’t need to wash out a brush and it covered great! I think if I was doing a larger surface or if I wanted it to be a high use chalkboard (like a grocery list) I would have stuck to the classic chalkboard paint.
When it was dry, I pulled out the chalk and got to lettering. If you want to letter exactly as the template, just rub chalk all over the back of the template, then trace over the letters to transfer the markings. I didn’t do this- I just freehanded my lettering. Normally I would have used a chalk marker instead of regular old chalk, but I thought the faded lines of real chalk suited the spooky feel a bit better than sharp, clean lines.
There it is! I feel like this little chalkboard along with the wheat grass have helped transition my decor to fall a little bit. Have you been getting ready for Halloween yet? What would you put on your chalkboard?
Also- If you missed it on social media, I was over at Eighteen 25 sharing a spooky bugs in jars table setting today as well!
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Kara says
Sep 29 at 12:41 pmI was JUST at the dollar store – where was this post yesterday?!? ;) I usually don’t decorate for Halloween (with the exception of carved pumpkins) but this is too cute!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:33 pmHaha timing is everything! We usually only do one or two things- Halloween decorations can get so tacky fast… or maybe I’m just super picky :)
Yelle says
Sep 29 at 9:40 pmwhat makes chalkboard diys really chic is chalk paint! the pens make for great accuracy and it looks so professional!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:33 pmI love chalk paint too!
Jamie says
Sep 29 at 9:41 pmColleen, this is the cutest! It was so great to meet you at Blogpodium! Wish we had more time to chat. Let’s do something soon…perhaps a blog collab or a blogger meet-up.
Hugs,
Jamie
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:33 pmThanks so much for the sweet comment Jamie! It was wonderful to meet you as well- we’ll definitely have to do something soon :)
Julie says
Oct 04 at 3:09 pmSO simple and so perfect for Halloween decoration. It’s only once a year, you don’t want to be spending a fortune and your decorations don’t need to withstand high usage. This seems just perfect to me, much classier than all the plastic tat you sometimes find in the discount shops!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:37 pmThanks so much Julie! I totally agree with you- plastic seems to be the only option for Halloween usually!
Jill says
Oct 06 at 6:17 pmSuch a cute project! Thanks so much for linking to A Round Tuit. hope you have a fabulous week!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:40 pmThanks so much for stopping by Jill!
Mary-In the boondocks says
Oct 07 at 5:32 amVery cool. Too bad I cannot find those cat cutouts.
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:40 pmAhh definitely- Our dollar store had a few different options, but they’re so hit and miss!
Lisa Sharp says
Oct 07 at 9:02 amThis is adorable and looks easy enough. Thanks for sharing.
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:41 pmDefinitely an easy DIY! I’m all about simple :)
Haley says
Oct 10 at 6:05 amVery cute diy! It looks so festive in your home!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:43 pmThanks so much Haley! I don’t have much for fall/ Halloween decorations but this definitely makes me feel like I’ve made the effort ;)
Denise says
Oct 10 at 6:46 amI love dollar store! Cute little tutorial, pinning! Thanks for linking up to Home Matters Party. #HomeMattersParty http://cu-rio.net/home-matters-linky-party-58/
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:43 pmDollar stores for the win! Thanks for stopping by Denise.
Sarah @ 2paws Designs says
Oct 12 at 6:22 pmHow fun! I’ll have to check my dollar store again to see if I can find any cutouts similar to this one.
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:48 pmYou definitely should! It’s such a simple project if you can find one :)
The Happy Creations says
Oct 13 at 3:23 amLove,love,love!!!
Chic and beautiful!!Thanks for sharing with Turn It Up Tuesday.
Voted as my favorite this week!!
http://www.thehappycreations.co.uk/turn-it-up-tuesday-13-10-15.php
Have a beautiful day:)
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:49 pmThanks so much! Appreciate the vote :) and the love!
Jennifer Dawn says
Oct 14 at 5:29 amWhat a cute idea! So simple but still so fun! I recently spray painted artificial pumpkins with chalkboard paint. Don’t you just love any and all things chalkboard?!
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:50 pmSpray paint all the things Chalkboard!!! Pumpkins would be awesome- kids would love drawing faces on them!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Oct 16 at 12:17 amSuper cute. I love it. Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the party. See you again soon.
Colleen Pastoor says
Oct 17 at 2:51 pmThanks so much Theresa! I’ll be there ;)