By Shari Hiller and Matt Fox
mattandshari.com
You can use a menu board to jot down your menu for the evening, but it can also just be a great place to communicate between family members.
Create a chalkboard to match your decor by adding a thin plywood panel to the back of a pre-made picture frame that matches or coordinates with your decor. Chalkboard paint finishes this project nicely, making it a perfect menu board for your kitchen or message center for an office or family room.
Materials:
16-by-20-inch picture frame
1/2-inch luan plywood
Chalkboard paint
Needle nose pliers
Utility knife
220-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Paint brushes
Tip: Luan plywood is thin and can be cut with a utility knife. Hold a straight edge on the cutting line and score the wood until you have completely cut through. Do not try to break the plywood after only a few cuts — it will splinter and the surface will not be smooth. Luan plywood has a grainy texture. If you prefer a smoother texture, try using birch plywood or Masonite. Masonite will cut with a sharp utility knife, but birch plywood will require a table saw to cut to size. You may even be able to get the piece cut for you at the home center store.
Instructions:
1. Use pliers to bend the metal tabs on the back of the frame out of the way. Remove the glass and backing from the frame.
2. Cut a 16-by-20-inch piece of luan plywood. Sand edges until smooth.
3. Apply chalkboard paint in the direction of the grain. Let dry for four hours and apply a second coat.
4. Install chalkboard in frame, securing it by bending metal tabs back in position.
If you want to save the glass from the picture frame to use in another project, wrap the edges with cardboard taped in place to prevent damage to the glass (and your fingers) while in storage.
Remember, this chalkboard can be made in other sizes. Purchase a premade frame in the desired size, and cut the plywood to the same measurement as the glass or backing.
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