Chalkboard Backdrop

We all love chalkboards, don't we? Chalkboards are everywhere now! Chalkboard labels, chalkboard clocks, chalkboard refrigerators, chalkboard tables, chalkboard chalkboards. Heck, some people even put chalk in the name of their blogs! For real. And yes, we see tons of pictures set against giant chalkboards. Or what appear to be giant chalkboards. But looks can be deceiving my friends. I'm going to tell you how you can make a chalkboard backdrop for photos for less than $1.00. In fact, you can have two for $1.00. More in fact, you can have 4 for $1.00.

When I started teaching, I was thrilled to have a real chalkboard of my very own. I was sad that it was a vomit-gold color instead of the traditional black but we get what we get and we don't get upset. The kindergarten teacher had a real slate one in her room and I loved the way the chalk would glide over the surface, the contrast of the white against the black, and the nostalgic feel of it. Now we are all Smartboards and white boards (which I despise) in the classrooms so I guess it's nice that we have just moved them into our homes instead. By the way, have you ever seen what a REAL slate chalkboard costs? Pass the smelling salts.

So rather than take the boards off my walls, I managed a cheap, easy alternative to get the look of a chalkboard without the chalkboard. The answer my friends? Black foam board. And if it's from the dollar store, even better.

You can get them 2 for $1 at The Dollar Tree. Take it home, rub it lightly with chalk, preferably soft, white sidewalk chalk. Then just take a rag and wipe it off. Do it again and again, rubbing the chalk in different directions until you achieve the "used" look you are going for. It doesn't wipe as clean as a chalkboard which I like so it looks worn and well used.

Then I cleaned it with a barely damp cloth and it was good to use again. But really, for $0.50 I can spring for a new one every time. Plus it's black on the other side too so you are really getting 4 for the price of a buck.