DIY: How To Make Chalk Paint

Lately I have become quite obsessed with chalk paint. There is something really satisfying about the texture and being able to doodle to my heart's desire, give it a quick wipe and start all over. Be it a to do list, a sweet note for Mr Vivid or a quick sketch of an idea, the chalk board has been where it's at. 

So today I thought I would share a quick and easy recipe to make your own...

Forget spending a fortune on the store bought stuff. You can make this up in two ticks for under a fiver and in any colour that you want. Hello mint green! There is a couple of ways to make it; one with unsanded grouting stuff from the diy shop, and the other with Plaster of Paris. We went with the cheapest option and have not been disappointed! So, for this tutorial you will need:

Plaster of Paris

Measuring spoons

A mixing cup

A mixing stick

Paint (two colours if you are creating a to do list chalk board like us)

an old paint brush

something to paint (we are going with this awesome clip board!)

some chalk - to play with of course!

As we won't need much paint to cover our little clip board, I have only made a small amount of our chalk paint mixture. The basis is really easy for whatever quantity you need; two parts paint to one part plaster of paris and a splash of water as you go...

For our recipe I used a teaspoon of water mixed into 1 tablespoon of plaster of paris. Mix these two together and you will get a lovely smooth paste that is just a little bit thicker than paint. You need to do this before you add your paint as you need to get all the lumps out. Do it the other way around and it will come out a big lumpy mess that's no good to anyone!

Once happy you are lump free and good to go, add in your two tablespoons of paint and give it a really good stir. Make sure you have combined all of the wet plaster of paris and get ready to start painting!

We recommend that you use an old paint brush to paint the mixture onto your surface, but if you wash it after your done with warm water it will come out pretty easily. For the best results, we painted on 3 coats of the chalk paint. Make sure to paint each coat in different directions (horizontally and vertically), to get the best texture. Let each coat dry fully before starting the next too :)

As we are creating a to do list chalk board, I would like to create a template that will stay on for a long time and withstand many a note! So, once the last coat of paint has dried I've used a pencil to draw on my design...

Then using a clean brush, paint on the design in an alternative colour. Once it's dry, you've got the neatest to do list chalk board in town!

All you need now is a piece of chalk and a cute hanky to wipe it down with :)

I think I would like to paint my studio desk with this stuff next... or maybe our kitchen wall!

Whatever you do with your chalk paint, make sure you have fun with it!