Back-to-School Week continues with a super simple photo prop idea perfect for the first day of school. With a handful of supplies, a plain canvas is transformed into what looks like an oversized piece of notebook paper. And the best part? A special coating of paint allows the canvas to be written on with chalk, so a new message can be written any time you like! Let me show you how easily this back-to-school craft project comes together.
For this project, you will need…
- 11×17″ stretched white canvas
- White primer
- Navy and Red Fine-Tip Paint Pens
- Clear ruler
- Clear chalkboard coating
- Foam brushes
Apply a coat of primer to the canvas and allow to dry completely.
On the dried canvas, use the ruler and the red paint pen to draw a line 2 inches from one of the long (17″) edges of the canvas.
With the blue paint pen, draw a line 2.5 inches from one of the short (11″) edges of the canvas. (The line should be perpendicular to the red line you drew in the first step.) Continue drawing blue lines below the first blue line, spacing each 1 inch apart, until you reach the lower edge of the canvas. Allow the paint to dry for at least 10 minutes.
With the foam brush, apply 3 coats of clear chalkboard coating, allowing each layer to dry for at least 30 minutes before applying the next layer. Alternate applying the coats from left to right and top to bottom to ensure the grain of the chalkboard winds up even. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.
To condition the board, rub a piece of white chalk over the surface of the board and wipe clean. Your board is now ready to use to display any message you choose!
This would be a perfect first-day-of-school photo prop, but it would also be a great sign for teachers to display in classrooms. I think a smaller canvas like this one would be cute to incorporate in a back-to-school wreath, too!
Thanks so much for stopping in today. There is tons more back-to-school inspiration coming up tomorrow, so be sure to pop over for a visit!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Great idea!! It’s so cute!! I wish I had little kids, but I’m going to pin it for all my friends. Love it!!
What kind of white primer do you use? Love this idea.
I used Krylon spray primer. Thanks for stopping in!