DIY Glassboards: The Chalkboard Alternative
If you’ve been around here long, you know I love a good chalkboard. And I’m not afraid to use them in all sorts of ways. But, I’ve also become a fan of what I call “Glassboards” in recent months and I think you’ll like them, too.You may have seen my Blessings Board I made last fall, which was my original glassboard, or this red one I used in February. And last week, Abby & Lily worked on their own versions for their rooms…You can write on these boards with dry erase markers or chalk paint markers. And the design possibilities are endless.The basic idea is to use a frame with its glass, and either remove the back altogether, leaving it clear, or replace it with a decorative back.For our recent ones, we made a trip to one of our favorite thrift stores & picked out a couple of frames in the sizes we wanted. Then, I removed the glass & backing for them (Don’t forget to always use gloves when handling glass because the edges are very sharp!).Next, they painted the frames with their chosen colors of craft paint…Then, they each made little buntings to decorate them. Abby made hers from scrapbook paper, and Lily made hers from canvas stamped with my favorite mini alphabet stamps…To finish, we covered the original frame backing of Lily’s with fabric & replaced it, letting the little bunting hang in the front.And for Abby’s, I replaced the glass by carefully stapling along the sides to keep it secure. I also added a saw tooth hanger and a few dots of hot glue to hold the bunting in place.Then, we hung them…Lily’s in her closet & Abby’s in her room. I think they did a great job. What do you think? And they had a little fun doing it, too.Does this give you ideas for how you could use one somewhere? I’d love to see it!I’ll be sharing this post with some of these crafty people. Stop over & say Hi!
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com
July 10, 2011 @ 9:44 pm
These are adorable…I love that the girls helped make them. Love the bunting detail too. I just "pinned" this in my Pinterest file to try making in the future with my girls!
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com
July 10, 2011 @ 9:46 pm
One question: did you hot glue the bunting triangles on to the string to make them stick?
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
July 10, 2011 @ 10:42 pm
those are sooo cute! love the buntings on them!
i have an old tarnished mirror that doesn't really reflect anymore and i use it as a dry erase board in my foyer. it works so well!
Katie
July 10, 2011 @ 10:46 pm
These are so cute!! I love the turquoise! The bunting is such a cute detail on them both!!
NanaDiana
July 11, 2011 @ 1:43 am
Julie- What a clever idea. I love this. I have a few frames and I'll bet the girls would love doing this~ xo Diana ps…your girls are darling!
M.L. @ The House of Whimsy
July 11, 2011 @ 5:37 am
Love this idea!!! So charming. Thanks for sharing.
M.L.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
July 11, 2011 @ 11:21 am
I think they make for a quick and inexpensive idea, Julie! Especially when you don't want to get involved with paint and waiting for it to dry. It's nice they personalized it to their own tastes, too.
Carissa
July 12, 2011 @ 11:37 am
These look awesome. What a great idea to do the glass instead of a chalkboard background. Your girls did a great job decorating theirs, too!
I found you through the DIY Showoff link party and am your newest follower. Come check me out, too, if you're interested @ Carissa's Creativity Space
Jess
July 12, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
That's what i use for my menu board in my kitchen. Love it.
Kristy
July 14, 2011 @ 5:45 pm
cool idea and cute too!
Tasha Anderson
July 14, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
Your project is adorable! I'd love for you to share it today at my Pinkalicious Blog Party
http://www.frugaliciousme.com/2011/07/pinkalicious-thursday-blog-party-10.html
Also, I wanted to let you know that I am hosting a New Party this Sunday, July 17th called The Barter Bazaar. Barter your wares with other bloggers for free shopping (maybe a little shipping $). Spread the word!
XOXO,
Tasha
http://www.frugaliciousme.com
Michelle
July 16, 2011 @ 6:13 am
What a clever idea!! They came out great!!
Blue Velvet Chair
July 16, 2011 @ 10:38 pm
Love these message boards. I was just given some old windows by a friend with a 100+ year old house and barn…so this gives me just the inspiration to make a message board for our upcoming office remodel. THANKS!
Michael
Funky Junk Interiors
July 17, 2011 @ 7:51 am
What a sweet photoshoot! The boards are a wonderful idea. Very cool allowing the wall to show through on that one.
Donna
Stephanie
July 18, 2011 @ 2:17 pm
Julie, these are such a good idea! I love the flag bunting you guys did, it adds such a cute touch. Oh while I am here, I wanted to say I LOVED your coffee table turned bench for your daughter's room. What a great deal you got on that table, and to have the vision on what to do with it, genius.
Kat
July 19, 2011 @ 2:51 am
Those are adorable!!!
Cindy
January 18, 2012 @ 7:40 pm
Love them!! That little bunting is the perfect touch!!
Cynthia
November 12, 2015 @ 1:13 am
Super cute! I want to do this for my wedding!
jennibell
January 11, 2017 @ 9:03 pm
I did this YEARS ago with my nieces one summer day. . .horrifying my sister by taking them into a Goodwill — ha! Wonder if I got the idea from you?? My one daughter still uses hers. . .and it was a fun project. . .all the painting, finding fabric, etc.
Julie
January 11, 2017 @ 9:51 pm
Ha! So funny! I remember the days of being shy of Goodwill myself! Can’t stay away now! Lol