Hello beautiful friends!
Today, I’m sharing what I did with this framed cardboard rooster art I picked up at the thrift store for half off of $8.75:
The rooster was actually quite faded and the cardboard was warped, so it was time to say good bye!
To redo this piece, I first needed to remove the picture that was held in place by many staples. Once I had those removed and the frame empty, I gave it a quick wipe down.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Paint
I chose Dixie Belle’s truest black, Caviar, for this piece and gave it two coats:
The reason I chose the black is because I had planned to use the Morning Farmhouse transfer on this piece to keep the rooster theme alive!
Isn’t it so cute? Unfortunately, none of the pieces were really small enough to squeeze within the frame. Bummer!
So, I tried to find something else that might be pretty over the black and chose this gorgeous Trellis Flowers transfer:
This one has a few longer narrow pieces, as well as several individual blooms that I could use. Isn’t it just beautiful?
Adding a transfer to frame moulding
It can be tricky to apply a transfer to all the ridges in a frame.
For this one, I started by keeping the backing on it and just folding it over a bit while I burnished that small section:
Then I folded it back a bit more and so on…
I took my time placing pieces where I wanted them.
Seal
When I was done, I chose Best Dang Wax in clear to seal, applying it with the Best Dang Brush:
Be sure you are done applying the tranfer where you want it because they won’t adhere well over the wax.
Then I wiped away any excess with a clean soft cloth and buffed the surface until smooth:
Making a Chalkboard
Yep! I’m making it into a chalkboard!
Chalkboards may not be “on trend” anymore, but I still personally love them and have a large one hanging in our kitchen that we all use all the time!
Plus, they still sell great for me, so I’m definitely not alone!
I set the frame aside once it was done and set out to make my chalkboard to replace the cardboard rooster.
To do that, I cut a piece of hardboard (it’s like pegboard but without the holes) to fit the frame. I find it at the Home Depot in 4 x 8′ sheets for around $11 these days. I can get several chalkboards out of one sheet, and the guys at the Home Depot will cut them for you if you like.
I used my Ryobi Jig Saw to cut mine, and I cut a few at the same time.
To turn them into chalkboards, I used my favorite chalkboard paint by Rustoleum:
It takes two to three light coats for solid coverage.
Once they were dry, I seasoned them by rubbing chalk across the entire surface:
Then I wiped it off with a soft cloth:
My favorite chalk comes in this simple packaging that can be found in the bins along the checkout line at Michaels:
It doesn’t tend to scratch your surface like some others I’ve tried.
Once my chalkboard was done, I secured it in the frame using my Logan Point Driver:
This thing is awesome if you need to secure chalkboards, mirrors, artwork, etc, into their frames.
The After
Here is how this frame took on a whole new purpose!
The Trellis Flowers transfer stands out so nicely against the black…
I’d love to see it against something white or ivory.
Let’s get in a little closer…
I wanted to add something to break up the black of the frame and the dark chalkboard, so I added a bit of Gold gilding wax…
That lamp is one I redid to share how to rewire a lamp.
I took it apart and completely reconfigured it. See how it started HERE.
How to Fancy Up your Chalkboard Writing
Here’s a simple way to make your writing a little more fancy looking. While it does help to have nice penmanship, there is another trick to making the writing prettier!
I start by writing what I want on my chalkboard as nicely as one can with a piece of chalk…
Then, I lay the tip of my chalk on it’s side so I get a bit of a thicker line and highlight every down stroke…
The upstrokes I leave as is…a bit thinner. This also gives you the chance to even everything out a bit.
The end result is much nicer than the original…
You can scroll up and see the difference!
Ms. Rice, my student teacher at Graham Middle School in Mountain View, CA in the early eighties, if you’re out there, you had the most beautiful handwriting I had ever seen. I tried endlessly to replicate it!
The frame looks like different sizes in the before and after above, but the before was on its side and I turned it upright.
This chalbaord is way more functional than the cardboard rooster!
Bonus!
I have one more simple makeover for you from this haul.
This one started out as this bulletin board I found marked down to $4.98:
I usually like to redo these by covering the corkboard with fabric, but chalkboards sell better for me, so while I was already making one, I grabbed this one too!
It just got a simple paint job with a couple of coats of Cotton:
After painting, I lightly sanded here and there and then sealed this one with a matte spray sealer from Rustoleum.
I covered the backs of both of these to make them nice and finished on both sides…
I used matte Mod Podge to adhere it and trimmed it out using a razor knife.
This patterned Kraft paper comes in a multi-pack with different patterns HERE and has a nice weight to it making it perfect for this purpose!
I added sawtooth hangers for hanging:
These are some I redid a while back, but this shows how I take them to my booth to sell:
I sew up the little bags and attach them so I can include a couple of pieces of chalk.
That’s two chalkboards for my booth and two more projects done yay!
See anything you might have missed at the links below:
Serpentine Dresser Makeover
Mirror Makeover with Transfer
Flatware Box Upcycled for Christmas
Upcycled Picnic Basket with a No Sew Liner
Painted Empire Dresser
Neutral Rocker Makeover
Pink Painted Night Table
Mass-Produced Shelf Makeover
Repurposed Cabinet Door
Oak Drop-Leaf Table Makeover
Child’s Rocker Makeover
Vintage Banker’s Chair Makeover
Terra Clay Paint Case Makeover
Tea Kettle Makeover
Tray Update with Stencils
Painting the Smalls #18
How to Turn a Spindle Bed into a Bench
Dated Shelf Makeover
80’s Clock Repurposed
Stenciled Demilune Table
DIY Fabric Lamp Shades & $5 Thrift Store Lamps
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover
Here are 13 more ways to repurpose a frame:
See them all HERE!
I won’t be here on Thursday with it being Thanksgiving, but I’m already working on next week’s makeovers. I’m trying to stock my booth, so I have several things going!
I am SO thankful for each and every one of YOU! ❤️
I hope my friends here in the US have a blessed Thanksgiving, and I’ll see y’all on Tuesday with this gem:
UPDATE: This dresser got all the love! See it HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is so beautiful now! I love the tranfer in the black! I hope you and your family have a beautiful Thanksgiving! It is the perfect time to tell you how Thankful I am for all that you do, and share with us on this blog. You are such an inspiration to me, and I want you to know how Thankful I am all year long for you!!
PS: I finished the rockers this weekend, they turned out so cute! Thanks for shipping my paint so quickly! I will try to get pictures to send to you!
Christy says
Thank you SO much, my friend! That really means a lot to me! I would LOVE to see how the rockers turned out. I know they will be absolutely treasured! I am thankful for YOU! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!! XOXO
Sheila DelCharco says
I love all your chalkboards! You have inspired me to make one for my kitchen. But I don’t have a point driver and it’s probably not worth buying one for one project! How else can I attach the board to the frame? Ideas?
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! I should have added in the post that you can also secure the chalkboard to your frame with small finishing nails. Just hammer them in sideways similar to how the points are holding mine in. I hope that makes sense! XOXO
Sheila DelCharco says
Yes it does! Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Christy says
You’re so welcome! XO
Cyndi says
These are both beautiful! And I want to try your handwriting tip. Thanks for sharing that!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! I’m glad that was helpful! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Chalkboards may be out of style (I don’t think they are) but I still love them. These two turned out so pretty, especially the first one. I’m also a fan of black. The design shows up so well. Have a great Thanksgiving and you deserve a day off to enjoy with your family
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I still love them too! Enjoy your Thanksgiving also!! XOXO
Tanya says
Hi Cristy. You must’ve read my mind. I was just at Lowes inquiring about making a chalkboard surface. Left there more confused as ever and put off my project AGAIN. Then I saw your awesome makeover of the frame that you turned into a chalkboard frame. The spray paint you use and recommend looks good. Have you ever tried it with the wipeable chalk markers? If yes, did it erase well each time? Have you ever tried the liquid chalk board paint instead of the spray paint? If so what were you results? I love the Re-Design transfers but still intimidated about trying it on a detail layered frame like yours. One day I’ll try but I have to see a few more of yours! Lol When you did the cork board frame, did you spray the paint on the cork or did you replace it with the same material that you did to the chalkboard frame? I LOVED the gold gilding wax that you added to the frame too! I thought it couldn’t look any better that it did. Then I kept scrolling down and it was like “POW!” I just said to myself “She’s amazing!” Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Christy says
Oh how funny is that?? Well, I am so glad this hopefully cleared up any questions you had! I have tried the paint-on version of Rustoleum’s chalk paint, but the surface isn’t as smooth which you really need for a chalkboard. One can of the spray will do a few chalkboards. I have only used regular chalk, so I can’t speak for how the pens work. The transfers are so fun to use, but yes…definitely get practice with something flat first lol. I replaced the cork with the hardboard. Glad you enjoyed this one, Tanya! Thank you SO much!! Happy Thanksgiving! XOXO
Sheila Pack says
Love love LOVE the flower trellis transfer, I think it’s much prettier and more versatile than the rooster one would have been. And yes, chalkboards are more of a classic than a trend, as they are so useful.
Christy says
Thank you, Sheila! I think this transfer was the way to go and yes, chalkboards are classic for sure! I actually had someone mention to me that chalkboards were out of style when I shared one previously, so I felt I needed to add that lol! XOXO
Niki says
Very cool. Both of them look great!! I like the gold on the first one, it helps break up the blackness a little more. I’ve wanted a chalkboard in my kitchen to put little messages to the boys on, or what’s for suppper, scripture verses-whatever struck my fancy for the day. However it never got done and then the trend sort of ended as you said. I’m glad some people are still wanting them.
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! We love ours and use it all the time! We use it for homework, to play hangman, to leave notes, and just to write a thoughtful message! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Sooo pretty!! Really like the black with that transfer!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you & your family… and thank- you for sharing your skills & creativity with us!! It’s like waking up on Christmas morn’ to see what delight is waiting for us!!!🙂🤗
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Denise! I love that! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! I appreciate you all so much! XOXO
Joanne D. says
As always, a perfect fix. I also love chalkboard items and use the spray on.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Thank You for all your shares.
Christy says
Thank you, Joanne! The spray is the best for sure! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy!! First of all I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Second of all ,Wow, I love this. Chalkboard. I have this exact same frame. I wish I had this transfer but I will just have to use what I have. This is beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! That wide frame was just asking for a transfer lol! There are so many that would work. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving also! XOXO
Shirley says
They are both very nice but the black one is definitely my favorite! I love things dressed up! Lol….I don’t know why but the black really makes that frame look so pretty.
I have lots of old frames and will have to pull one out for something like this.
Christy says
Thank you, Shirley! Black always seems so much more sophisticated lol! XOXO
Sharon L Austin says
Very elegant and pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Sharon! XOXO
Charleen says
I think that Night and Day is a valid description for the rooster frame. Beautiful . Enjoy your day on Thursday,and the family . I enjoy all your projects and posts. Bless you.
Christy says
Thank you, Charleen! I appreciate that! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
Cecilia says
Happy Thanksgiving, Christy! Love how they both turned out. I still love chalkboards…I think lots of people do too. I painted the end wall in my kitchen above the wainscoting in chalkboard paint. So fun to write the menu or messages on it. 😊
Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! We love ours too! I bet a wall in it would be so fun AND functional! XOXO
Olivia says
The chalk board turned out beautiful. I really like the ivy on the frame. Watched your video of you putting your village pieces together. Makes me want to do the same thing. Putting a little fence between each scene is what really pulls it all together. It looks like a winter wonderland. I can tell you put a lot of thought into each section. Great job.
Christy says
Thank you, Olivia! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the Christmas Village video! Using the dresser was a great way to display it without taking up any new space in our home! I’m looking forward to pulling it all out this year. XOXO
Cheryl says
Love them both!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well! XOXO
bonnie says
Hi my friend. I was just thinking before and today what beautiful old school writing you had. I know you are not old lol but, my Mom had beautiful writing skills like that. The frame is a lot bigger than I first thought and turned out awesome.
Hope all your family will be together on this holiday. Hugs to you for all your hard work to inspire others.🥰
Christy says
Aww thank you, Bonnie! It is a shame they don’t teach cursive anymore. I hope you are enjoying a lovely Thanksgiving too! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
The barnyard creatures would be cute (I do have a thing for chickens 😊) but the flowers are outstanding! Love the simple white paint finish, too. I’m thankful you continue to do this, Christy, I always enjoy seeing your projects. I can’t believe you’ve finished so many already, looks like you’re going to have to go shopping soon 😁
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I’m happy with plan B too! I can’t believe I’m almost through this haul too…I’ve secretly been shopping for the next one already lol! Happy Thanksgiving!! XOXO
Petra says
They both came up so pretty 🙂 I like how you style them for selling too. xo
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! They make a nice gift with the chalk already attached too! XOXO