Chalkboard Placemats

Yeah, I know, this sounds kind of crazy. Chalkboard Placemats for Christmas? But, I am a bit whimsical and thought it would be a nice contrast to my tablecloth and white dishes. It will be fun to to draw on them at Christmas dinner. We can use them anytime really, and the kids will have fun playing with them too. I was planning on doing this and cutting them out using wood. However, I found these lovely placemats displaying the beautiful architecture of London. If I had discovered them sooner I would have used them when Prince William and Princess Kate got married. Missed that, so, might as well make chalkboards out of them!

They have a slick surface that I attempted to sand down. It was difficult, so I chose to spray primer on all of them.

I then spray painted each of them with chalkboard paint. I sprayed 3 coats on them. The spray can instructions are that the paint needs to cure for 24 hours. Instead of chalkboard paint, you can buy a flat enamel paint. It is much cheaper. Paint 3 coats on and allow it to cure for 3 days.

Once cured no matter which paint you use, rub chalk all over it, then erase. Do not use a clay chalk and use an old fashion eraser on them.

Here's a mini preview to the place setting. Not complete by any means.

At the beginning of December I will post pictures of the final table setting for you to see.