How to make a chalkboard wall

This post is long overdue. But, hey at least I can honestly say that I have had this chalkboard wall calendar on my wall since September 2014, and I still love it in February 2015. Be hold, my giant, glorious wall calendar!

Here’s what I was working with…

Here’s the chalk board paintI used. Oh and I used a 2 inch, angled Purdy paint brush.

So, to make a chalkboard wall I started by taping off the edges of my walls and ceiling with paint tape. I typically use this green tape to paint. Then, start painting! The chalkboard paint dries pretty fast… I let the first coat dry for 30 minutes and then used a small roller for the 2nd coat.

Here’s my lovely wall before I went to bed that night. After you apply 2 coats of paint you have to let it sit for 3 days before you can condition the chalboard. Torture. 

The next morning, I took all of the tape off and cleaned up. Now, it’s wait time. Maxwell and Andy seem to like the black wall! Maxwell loves that dang giraffe! My baby was only 6 months old in this picture, and will be one year old next month, ahh!

After 3 days, it was time to condition my chalkboard!  This is a very important step. Don’t skip it. It’s also a very messy step. All you need to do is rub a piece of chalk across the entire surface of the wall. I got bored with one color which is why you see the rainbow! And I totally did not plan what happens next…

I figured I might as well use my cute rainbow chalkboard and decided to erase a little welcome sign onto my board… Then, Maxwell woke up frmo his nap, and Dad flew him into see what I was doing! And this super cute picture happened!

Remember I said the conditioning part is very messy? Here’s the residue after erasing the above “conditioning”.

Erasing takes some time. I used an actual eraser and then just a cotton rag. I erased and erased and erased.

Until, I got this bad boy. My chalkboard wall is ready for action!

Here’s how I made my calendar lines:

Oh and I’m jsut using plain ol’ sidewalk chalk. Really old chalk for that matter. It was in our garage from my days as a teacher!

September: The first ever Dorobek family chalkboard wall calendar… woot woot!

October: Yea, don’t mind Andy’s legs. This is the only picture I could find of my cute pumpkin “O”, ha! He was just proving to me that he can still do a handstand!

November: I was really proud of my feather! Not exactly sure what it has to do with November… turkey feather?

November addition: I hosted a little dinner party for Andy’s birthday and used my calendar as decoration!

December: My chalk skills are getting better and better! I think it is time to invest in some chalk markers. Anyone ever used those? Do they actually erase? At some point between nSeptember and December we got a new light fixture! I love it.

Here’s another shot of my calendar with the old chandelier!

Anyone else ever made a chalkboard wall? I don’t suggest it in the bedroom. It’s messy. But, I love it in the kitchen! It’s a good excuse to actually mop/ vacuum the floor at the beginning of every month, ha! And it keeps Andy and I on (almost) the same page! Does anyone else’s significant other never have any idea what is going on?!