Make a Christmas chalkboardCRAFT PAINT WITH AMDF PALLET SET TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS

CHALKBOARD

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Introduction

Hi again, crafters! I hope I find you ready for Christmas... I say

this, knowing full well I will not be ready at all! I used to worry

about this, but have now accepted it’s going to happen, and I’m pretty sure I will definitely have something I have

forgotten about. Let the panic begin.

For this month’s article. I decided to work with the wonderful MDF (medium density fibre board) pallet art set fromStamps

Away, which has been so popularon Create and Craft. It’s

design, a very simple work with.

Christmas is a great time to make home decorations that are pretty and can be used year after year, and it’s even

better if they are functional.

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Introduction

Here I have combined my MDF slats with chalkboard paint (I used

Pinflair’ Blackboard Paint), for a wonderful piece of home décor. The

beauty of the chalkboard paint is the fact you can wipe it clean and write over and over again just like magic!

The kit can be used in so many configurations, and you do not need

special glue or tools to put it together.

The first piece is quite large, making I perfect card for your Christmas reminders, to-do lists and more. Have fun!

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Shopping list

Stamps Away MDF pallet and shelf art kit, £9.99;

Heartfelt Creations Festive Christmas Paper Collection,£19.99;

Cosmic Shimmer glue, £7.99;

Embellishment Attic bow maker, £12.99

Chalkboard paint,

gold organza ribbon,

Liquid Pearls– gold,

Glossy

Accents, black pen

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What you need to do

Step 1

After the slats are

completely dry, you can

then glue them together

using the Cosmic

Shimmer PVA, with

thinner slats attached at

the back to make the

piece sturdy and secure.

Step 2

In your pallet set you will

have larger pieces and

smaller pieces. For this

design, I used four of the

larger slats. First, you’ll need

to paint all sides which

would be visible using the

chalkboard paint. Allow to

dry and then give them a second coat.

. Step 3

Now it’s time to choose your decorations!

I adore the Heartfelt Creations papers, and found it quite difficult to decide which ones to use. When selecting papers, I wanted something I could easily fussy-cut and turn into toppers. I used the large baubles and holly.

Don’t worry too much about cutting out the detail– just take away enough so you emphasise the main images. I also cut out some of the poinsettias, the two doves and two of the sentiments.

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What you need to do

Step 4

Next, cut out some of the

background papers. I cut

out two strips, one for the

top and one for the

bottom. I layered them

onto a piece of red card

and then glued them onto the pallet.

Step 5

Glue the baubles onto the top left hand corner. Arrange the other elements in the bottom right hand corner. I layered one of the sentiments onto a piece of red card and then onto a piece of green card .

Allow them to overlap to create a cluster of images This overlap to create a cluster of images. This also helps if some of the images aren’t complete, as it gives you more scope

Step 6

Using the bow maker, make

a three-looped bow from

gold organza ribbon, to

attach at the bottom of the

pallet. The bow maker is

such a fantastic tool, and

allows you to create these

really stunning bows with ease.

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What you need to do

Step 7

Now, run a length of the ribbon

around the top of the pallet and tie in

a bow over the top of the baubles.

Use the baker’s twine to tie another

bow and glue this over the top of the

organza ribbon bow using the Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue.

Step 8

Add Glossy Accents to the berries

and Liquid Pearls to the poinsettia, to finish.

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Leonie’s expert advice help you get started.

Apply the chalkboard paint with a brush in long strokes for even coverage.

Your chalkboard paint can be painted directly onto walls, as well. This can be great fun for kids’ rooms, but it’s completely the kind of wall I’d appreciate, too!

The MDF pallets are great to use as single slats on their own, which are big enough to make a statement piece. Combine them with plain notebooks, blank calendars, mirrors, key hooks – the possibilities are endless!

MDF is great for creating things with the kids, as it’s sturdy and cost effective and will take a wide variety of paints and glues.

Use your Christmas chalkboards for to-do lists, cooking schedules, menus , festive greetings, guest lists, naughty and nice lists, letters to Father Christmas ... there are so many possibilities, that are both fun and practical!

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how you can use the slats

To demonstrate how you can use the slats in a different way, I have

also done an alternative piece for you.

This is made using just two of the larger slats, with a piece of thick card at the back to provide extra support. I used the thick baker’s twine to

thread through the holes and hang the chalk paint creation.

I think this smaller one would be great for writing messages and cute

‘This Way Santa’ wall hangings. Use the papers, sentiments and tags to

complete your hanging. These are very easy to do, and yet they look really effective.

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