Thursday, September 15, 2011

Old World Chalkboard and Gesso

OK, here is another little tidbit about gesso. You can use it to make a chalkboard.


The frame here was gold.



I did a three part mix of white gesso, black gesso, and a little spackling paste. This is what I ended up with. The addition of the spackling paste with the gesso, created a thick, almost frosting like mixture.



I dry brushed the mixture on the frame to get this. A nice old world look.


To make the chalkboard, I brushed a thick coat of the mixture on the backer board, let it dry, and sanded it slightly.

Please, please, please, if you try this, wear a mask when you sand. Although I didn't use much spackling paste in the mix, it has crystalline silica and other ingredients in it that can be harmful to your lungs. BE SAFE.

This is what I got. This great irregular finish.


I wiped the surface with a damp cloth, to remove any residue, and let it dry again. I then rubbed chalk all over the surface, and erased it. This preps the surface for writing, and gives it a much used appearance.

So, I got a nice old world frame, and a chalkboard for very little money, and I really didn't use very much of the mixture.




You can get the same effect using only gesso. I just mixed black and white gesso to make this little chalkboard.



I did a post on finds a while back, which included this mirror.


Where is the mirror, you ask? I broke it. I was so annoyed with myself, that I put the frame away and forgot about it. Today, I decided to bring it back out.


A unique chalkboard.



Guess how I got this cool effect on my mirror. No, it's not muriatic acid.





Sharing With:
Funky Junk Interiors: Charming Chalkboards
Hope Studios: Tutorial Tuesday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Bloggers
Under The Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
Be Different Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday
Remodelaholic: Remodelaholics Anonymous
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
Sassy Sites: FFA
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30 comments:

  1. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~September 15, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    You are genius! Who would have thought. Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  2. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage DesignsSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    I love it!! It seems like the gesso is just like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ~ I was just curious if you have tried it and if they are pretty much the same ~
    Okay how did you do the mirror ? It is awesome!

    xoxo
    Lori

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  3. UnknownSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Wow, you just keep creating magic!! I love it. Now how did you do the mirror? That is wild! There is no end to your imagination!

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  4. lvroftiquesSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    RTM as always I love it!! Seriously you should have a TV show *winks* Vanna

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  5. KellySeptember 15, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Such clever ideas! I have a chalkboard in my kitchen by using chalkboard paint, but I've never heard of using gesso. Thanks for the tip.

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    I would have never thought that white and black gesso could be used to make a chalkboard. Amazing! How on earth did you figure that it would do that?

    Kris

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  7. savvycityfarmerSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    flat black paint doubles as chalkboard REALLY well, too ...

    genius girl!!

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  8. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleSeptember 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Really really pretty.

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  9. deborah@confessions of a craigslist junkieSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    I love your gesso pieces! I have to try that sometime soon.

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  10. Ivy and ElephantsSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Now you are leaving us with cliff hangers?! Come on, how DID you do that mirror??? It is the coolest.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  11. Heaven's WalkSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    Ok....little Miss Rock Star....you amazed me once again. lol! I love learning from you because you make me step outside my box and try new things! Thank you, Ro!!! I had no idea that gesso could be used that way. I painted with it for the first time the other day, and you're right. It does make the paint silkier with more body. NOW I must try that olde world look....! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  12. BrandiSeptember 15, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    i love the chalkboard frame and mirror. i really love the finish you gave the frame, so clever.

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  13. DebbiedoosSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    That is super Rosemary. Very unique piece. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  14. Little City FarmSeptember 16, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Who knew you could use gesso as a chalkboard -- learning something every time I pop by here. :)

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  15. ReviSeptember 16, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Lovely pieces! I'm guessing you used bleach on the mirror? Knowing you, it's something simple, but we never would've thought of it. :)
    -Revi

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  16. PJH DesignsSeptember 16, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I'm such a sinner! I'm totally coveting that first chalkboard! Thanks for coming by and giving my little blog encouragement & when I do the tutorial I will be sure to share a link back to you since I couldn't have done this latest piece without you. :-)

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  17. IdoSeptember 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Hi rosemary, I love those transformations with Gesso, I'm gonna have to get me some next week, is the plaster of Paris similar or I'm way off.
    Wishing you a great weekend!
    XXX Ido

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  18. Ricki TreleavenSeptember 16, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Rosemary, I had NO IDEA you could make a chalkboard with gesso. Thanks for the tutorial. This is an adorable (and practical) project.

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  19. Ethereal PLUS what I LoveSeptember 16, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    That old world chalkboard is so lovely and unique. Thanks for sharing your technique!!!

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  20. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Wow! Thanks for this idea. It's so great. I must try. I recently painted a cork-board with a gesso plus Martha Paint mixture.

    But this takes Gesso to another level!

    ~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking

    A Mother Seeking...

    My City Backyard Garden

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  21. HeidiSeptember 17, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    very beautiful! Loving these unique chalkboard pieces!

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  22. Cottage and BroomeSeptember 17, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Love the mirror, it turned out wonderful! Great tip on the gesso will have to try that at some point, thanks for sharing, Laura Cottage and Broome

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  23. EllenSeptember 17, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Now thats a chalk board to fall in love with. I love it.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

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  24. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    cool ideas for chalk boards...and a gorgeous frame and I love the mirror chalkboard especially...to sweet..
    best,
    maureen

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  25. MandySeptember 17, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    You find the most amazing frames! They are all so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I followed you over from Show and Tell Saturday.

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  26. RhissannaSeptember 18, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    You have some really amazing and do-able (is that a word?) ideas. I came here from the linky at Under the Table and Dreaming.

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  27. JillySeptember 20, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Such clever ideas! I have a chalkboard in my kitchen by using chalkboard paint, but I've never heard of using gesso. It is great tip.
    western movies

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  28. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeSeptember 20, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Very pretty effects! Glad you pulled out that little mirror and worked on it -- that's my favorite!

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  29. gail@My Repurposed LifeSeptember 20, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Rosemary! You are so talented!
    I love that sweet little mirror the best.
    thanks for sharing @ ccc
    gail

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  30. The Charm of HomeSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    Rosemary,
    This is fabulous! So glad you keep showing people like me how to transform things without spending a fortune. Priceless information! Thank you for linking with Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete

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