DIY Chalkboard Countdown!

I don't know about you, but I love countdowns. Numbers getting smaller and smaller, reaching the downhill slide of whatever event you're counting down to. Anyways, while the Silhouette store was having their Black Friday sale, I came across this super cute countdown shape. My mind immediately started racing on what to do with it, because it obviously has to be on a background that can be erased and written on easily. First thought, dry erase board, just put it on the glass of a frame. Eh. Second thought, CHALKBOARD! Now just to find inexpensive chalkboard paint..

I found the Custom Color Chalkboard Paint from Martha Stewart and decided to give it a shot. It seemed easy enough. I trekked to the store to get all of the supplies.

Supplies Needed:

• Photo frame, any size (I used 8x10)
• Acrylic paint, at least 8 oz.
• Nonsanded grout
• Chalk

I followed all of the directions to the chalkboard paint, but it just didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to. It was really rough and uneven. Like this:

Okay, well it doesn't look THAT bad in this picture, but you can tell from the picture of me mixing it that it wasn't that great. Turns out, I was supposed to mix it together in a MUCH smaller bowl. I'm sure I'll try it again some day but at the time, I was over it. I checked my Michael's app and saw a 40% off coupon, so I decided to use in on the Chalkboard spray paint. Turn out, it was only $8 to begin with, so I got it for around %5! This result turned out A LOT better. 

Ready for the finished product?!

I know, I know, not the best picture of it in the world, but you get the gist, right?? I think it turned out really cute and I cannot wait to get colored chalk so I can start counting down! 

Here is another version that I made my friend.

You don't even have to have a Silhouette to make something like this, it could totally be drawn on and I'm sure it would look great. 

Sarah