Chalkboard Labels: Be Still, My Heart!
In my opinion, one of the best ideas of this century that combines functionality and style in almost any home is the ever-popular chalkboard label. I so love a good label. I’ve tried very hard to outgrow my OCD tendencies since I’ve had kids, but it’s true that a well-organized pantry helps me sleep so soundly. And few things warm my heart like seeing that the kids remembered to put their socks and undies in the proper drawer. And quite frankly, neatly-labeled bins in the playroom make me a better person.
And I know some of you out there can totally relate. That’s why I had to share one of my latest ideas: chalkboard labels you can make yourself. I love functional crafts that are quick, cheap, and easy, and this one is all three!
All you need are some of these wall plates {found in the electrical aisle of your hardware store with the outlet switch plate covers}, some chalkboard spray paint, and some ribbon of your choice.
Did I mention these plates are like 39¢? And there’s no need to drill holes! They’re great!
The first step is to lightly sand the plates to rough up the surface. I let my prep department handle this…
But, if you don’t have a prep department, you’ll need to do this yourself. Then, wipe them clean and give them a few coats of the paint. (I use this one from Krylon.)
Once they’re good and dry, just thread your ribbon through the holes and through your basket or bin and voilá! You’ve got a super-cute chalkboard label.
It’s amazing how a label on a toy crate can make the toys so much more fun to play with!
I know this makes some of your hearts skip a beat. You know who you are. Just imagine how great these would be on a basket tied on with twine!
And if you can’t get enough of chalkboards, check out my other chalkboard projects here.
Jennifer @ Studio JRU
October 6, 2010 @ 1:07 am
Such a cute idea… love it! 🙂
southerninspiration
October 6, 2010 @ 1:15 am
What a CLEVER idea!! Don't even have to drill any holes!!!
Suzanne
Courtney
October 6, 2010 @ 1:24 am
Genius!
kathie
October 6, 2010 @ 1:24 am
Oh my goodness, you are a genius… I spent an hour on Sunday cutting wood rectangles with the saw and drilling holes in them for this very same project 🙂 Thank you!! Yours are adorable 🙂
Jean
October 6, 2010 @ 1:36 am
genius!
Jen
October 6, 2010 @ 2:00 am
I agree with everybody else…This idea is GENIUS!!!
I'm defintely copying this idea!
Chrissie
October 6, 2010 @ 2:22 am
Wow!! What an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing this, I will be putting it into practice~
Amber
October 6, 2010 @ 2:23 am
Genius!! Will be storing this idea in my mental idea bank for future use! Great use for something so out of the ordinary.
Amber
October 6, 2010 @ 3:03 am
I'm so glad there are people out there like you who are so crafty!! Makes my job a lot easier. I'll definitely be giving this one a try 🙂 Thanks!!!
Okie Chic
October 6, 2010 @ 3:18 am
Love this idea!!
The Polka Dot Closet
October 6, 2010 @ 4:18 am
Oh this is a great idea, I can think of sooo many uses! How cute on a wooden crate? Thank You!
Carol
Stephanie
October 6, 2010 @ 5:36 am
Too cute, those look great.
Handbags*N*Pigtails
October 6, 2010 @ 10:53 am
yup…I LOVE you!:)Wonderful tip!
Sherry
October 6, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
Cute and practical. Love it.
Sherry
Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape
October 6, 2010 @ 2:02 pm
oh wow, who woulda thought. Very clever.
Danae
October 6, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
Great idea!
Anne
October 6, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
Great idea! I'm definitely going to try these. Thanks for the idea.
Sharon
October 6, 2010 @ 6:39 pm
I was going to say genius, but it has already been said. So, I will say fabulous! An idea to copy for sure.
Amber
October 6, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was seriously thinking of cutting little pieces of wood for the same idea, but this would be so much easier! Thanks again!!! : )
Jennie Bender
October 6, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
too cute=)
abby @ tales and trials
October 6, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
Such a fabulous idea!!! I'm storing this idea for after we move!
G.
October 6, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
oh my gosh! Love this! This just might be my next little project. 🙂
Marie@PoutyPinkPrincess
October 7, 2010 @ 1:07 am
OMG! This is genius…I'm totally going to have to do this! I'm your newest follower!!
April
October 7, 2010 @ 1:55 am
Great idea!
Sarah @ threeboys-home.blogspot.com
October 7, 2010 @ 2:25 am
Such a great idea! I LOVE labels:)
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
October 7, 2010 @ 4:06 am
Fabulous idea! I love that you used electrical plates… so clever! Thanks for sharing!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish
October 7, 2010 @ 10:44 am
Brilliant! You know how much I love chalkboard spray paint! I have to share this with my peeps on my FB page!
Madigan at madiganmade
October 7, 2010 @ 10:54 am
I love chalkboard paint! The ribbons look darling with it, too.
Melissa
October 7, 2010 @ 11:28 am
Very cute – you are so creative!
Melissa
http://www.burstsofcreativity.blogspot.com/
Courtney McAulay
October 7, 2010 @ 5:14 pm
How effective and simple! Great idea! I would just love it if you would come over to Crazy Cute at Between U & Me and share this with everyone! 🙂
http://www.betweenuandme.com
HILLARY
October 8, 2010 @ 5:54 am
Genius idea using the switch board covers, and then again with the paint! Good idea!
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door
October 9, 2010 @ 1:14 am
Just had to say, This is such a CLEVER idea!
Crayon Couture
October 9, 2010 @ 3:30 am
Mommy Genius! I have been searching for creative/inexpensive ways to label our playroom. This is at the top of my weekend to-dos! Thanks for sharing!
Sandy Ang
October 11, 2010 @ 12:37 am
What a useful idea !
benandjami.blogspot.com
October 11, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
Where can I find the baskets or crates? This is Super cute. I want to do this for my kids.
Julie
October 11, 2010 @ 7:58 pm
@benandjami.blogspot.com
I got these baskets & crates at Target, but I've seen them at WalMart & other places too!
deb
October 12, 2010 @ 1:58 am
That is a totally cute and cool idea!! I was just pricing some chalkboard tags out for my big kid rooms! 🙂 What a great blog.
Allison @ House of Hepworths
October 14, 2010 @ 1:12 am
I featured you this week!
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/10/13/hookin-up-with-hoh-20/
Feel free to grab a button if you want.
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
Anonymous
October 14, 2010 @ 7:34 am
На сегодня это очень актуально:
[url="http://salvznakom.info"]Оборудование для баров, ресторанов, хлебопекарен[/url]
Megan
October 21, 2010 @ 1:56 am
genius! love this idea! I'm featuring this project in a post about chalkboard paint tomorrow on crazydomestic.com. Feel free to grab our "I was featured" button!
Johnlyn ~ Frugality and Homemaking
October 27, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
Oh my! This is fabulous!
This would be such a great gift tag too! I have some paint, I just need to pick up the covers!
Thanks for posting.
Jessica G.
October 27, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
Wonderful idea — perfect for holiday gift baskets, too!
LivingSoAbundantly
October 27, 2010 @ 8:44 pm
Super cute! ;0)
Marilyn Holeman
October 28, 2010 @ 10:24 pm
I got here through a link on "I'm an Organizing Junkie!"
Julie, I must say this idea is BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing!
Amy in Wyoming
October 28, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
Too cute! I agree with Jessica G. that they would be darling on a holiday gift basket!
currentlychic.com
November 2, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
Hey there! Visiting you via frugal with a flourish. Amazing blog! So glad to have found you and I love this chalkboard label idea. Would love to have you stop by my blog. You might like the post called Spooky For The Wrong Reasons about my autumn wreath makeover! Hope to hear from you and thanks for this great post!
CC
http://currentlychic.com
DANA
November 20, 2010 @ 9:55 pm
That's great! I would love for you to come link this up at my Strut Your Stuff Party, and enter the giveaway as well!
http://danajeanward.blogspot.com/2010/11/strut-your-stuff-link-party-and.html
Missy
December 1, 2010 @ 5:42 am
What a clever solution! Love these.
Alisa
February 13, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
too cute! i have been looking for a chalkboard label idea for my newly organized kitchen cabinets! Yippee!
Kelly @ Run With Glitter
August 19, 2011 @ 10:37 pm
Love this! I pinned it!
Michelle, Queen of Everything
November 6, 2011 @ 5:52 am
Genius! I love your blog…I just found it tonight and I have a feeling I am NOT going to be going to bed on time!
the Sweetest Memory
May 7, 2012 @ 8:56 pm
love it! So cute! great blog!
Jess
June 13, 2012 @ 2:44 am
Great Idea! Just what I was looking for! Thanks!