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Illuminated Chalkboard Sign

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts, Michaels and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

 

My downstairs is the most neglected area of the house. We spend the least amount of time down there (especially during Minnesota winters, brrrrr!), too many things get put down there “until I can find a better place for it”, and it’s severely under-decorated. I have had plans for a vintage modern slightly movie themed room for over a year, but has it come to fruition? Nope. Do I have some awesome minimalist movie art waiting to be hung? Yep. This project of mine using Michaels Spring Wood Surfaces is my way of kick-starting the downstairs transformation. 

 

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SUPPLIES
Chalkboard paint (I made my own out of Folk Art Acrylic Paint and baking soda!)
String of 10 battery powered lights
Hot glue and hot glue gun
Self-adhesive foam letters 
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STEP ONE
Give your Michaels Spring Wood Surface a nice coat of chalkboard paint, let dry thoroughly.

 

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STEP TWO
Lightly arrange your letters on your Michaels Spring Wood Surface. I used a piece of paper to make sure that it was straight. This is the awesome thing about self-adhesive letters, if you place them lightly enough you can move them around easily if you need to make adjustments. Once the letters look even, press them down fully.

 

lighted chalkboard sign #MadeWithMichaels #PlaidCrafts

 

STEP THREE
Attach the battery pack to the back of the surface with hot glue. Make sure the on/off switch faces out. I also hot glued a washer to the back of the battery pack (I was trying to be resourceful with what I had on hand) to use for hanging. It actually works pretty darn well, if I do say so myself!

 

lighted chalkboard sign #MadeWithMichaels #PlaidCrafts

 

STEP FOUR
Come up with a layout for the lights so they are distributed evenly. I decided to put 3 on each longer side and 2 on the shorter ends. Starting closest to the battery pack in the middle, put a generous glob of hot glue onto the surface and attach a light flat to the board. Make sure that most of the bulb is over the edge so that it can be seen from the front when it’s lit. Hold for a few seconds until the glue cools and sets. 

 

STEP FIVE
Repeat gluing each bulb around the edge of the surface. If cords are getting a little crazy and sticking out in the back, take a little hot glue and glue them down to the board.

 

light up chalkboard sign #MadeWithMichaels #PlaidCrafts

 

STEP SIX
Using chalk, write the movie of the night on your board and proudly display it.. Make sure you dim the lights in the room and turn your sign on to really show what a crafty son of a gun you are 😉

 

You know when you get an idea in your head for a project and you hope it turns out as well in real life as it does in your head? Well, this one actually turned out better than I had imagined. I love when that happens! Now, to get to the rest of my downstairs decorating projects…

 

Check out some other awesome crafts made with Michaels Spring Wood Surfaces:

 

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