I've been at it again. Preston has a NEW activity easel, and we both think it's pretty fantastic!
First, we have to give credit where credit is due, because I have to be completely honest. I didn't come up with the main idea myself.
I first came across this picture on
Pinterest, and I immediately knew I had to make one. You can read about the original "Alphabet Board" from
Nic and Kate here.
While the original is fantastic, I just HAD to make a few additions and modifications. I started with a $10 oil drip pan from Walmart and spray painted it with chalkboard paint {three coats for extra durability}. It took two cans of spray paint total.
Next, I used
3M Command Medium Picture Hanging Strips {9 strips total} and hung it in place per package instructions. I had to play with it a few times to get it level, but it was relatively easy. My level did fall off in the process and took a small chunk of paint with it. I just touched it up with a black permanent marker though. Easy peasy! {Notice how the stamped words on the pan are almost unnoticeable once painted. The paper roll completely covers them now, since I hung the board with the letters at the top.}
A final trip to
Lowe's did the trick. I purchased an ivory screw-in curtain tie back {$5.97} and a roll of floor protector paper from the paint department {$3.97}. Back at the bungalow, I screwed the tie back in place and hung the paper roll on a piece of jute twine.
The final step was to cure the chalkboard {per can instructions} and throw on the wooden alphabet magnets! For now, I hung a bucket of art supplies from a magnetic hook, but I have a few other ideas for easily accessible art supply storage. I just can't decide which direction to go, so we're going to live with it awhile first!
The total project cost was about $28, but that's still A LOT cheaper than any store bought easel!
P.S. You can score the little gnome vinyl decal from
Etsy too.
By the way...
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
{burlap covered poinsettia}
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