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You are here: Home / DIY / Christmas Countdown Chalkboard

Christmas Countdown Chalkboard

December 14, 2017 By Karen Cooper 19 Comments

I love my Christmas Countdown Chalkboard! It was easy to make and you can use it any time of year!

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Christmas Countdown Chalkboard:

  • Piece of 3/4-inch plywood – mine was 24 in. x 24 in. You can cut this yourself or have it cut at your favorite hardware store. Some stores also sell pre-cut plywood squares like this.
  • Wooden yardsticks –  you’ll need at least four for a 24 x 24 piece of plywood. I had some broken yardsticks that I had gotten from a yard sale and a trash pile, so I used more than that here.
  • Two wooden rulers
  • Chalkboard paint
  • RYOBI 18V ONE+ miter saw
  • RYOBI 18V ONE+ nailer – use finish or smaller nails for this.
  • Wood glue
  • Chalk

Instructions for Building Chalkboard

First, cut the plywood to the size you want, if you haven’t already. Then paint it with chalkboard paint (I used RustOleum chalkboard paint – it’s the best, and they didn’t pay me to say that). It should take two coats of chalkboard paint for good coverage. You’ll need to let the chalkboard paint cure for three days before you can use it, so get this done first. (That being said, I have let it cure for only a day before using it and it was fine.)

Next, figure out the layout for the yardsticks. As I mentioned above, I had some broken ones I wanted to use, so I had to figure out how to piece them together to make a frame around the plywood. Also, I wanted the “Clements Antiques” yardstick on the bottom (just because I liked it).

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Once you have the yardstick arrangement figured out, you’ll want to miter the edges of the yardsticks where they meet in the corners. (In the picture, I had already cut the yardsticks, but I would plan the frame out first before cutting if I had to do it again.)

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Yes, that’s Bear, the Dog Who Doesn’t Eat Pizza, in the window.

Using the miter saw set to a 45-degree miter, cut the yardsticks.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

NOTE: if your yardstick is thin, it may split when cut with the miter saw. I used standard or thicker yardsticks, but when I tried the saw on a thinner one, it did split. So be careful if using thinner yardsticks.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Once the yardsticks are cut, fit them back onto the plywood the way you laid them out before, to make a frame around the edge. Glue them down and then fasten them with the RYOBI nailer.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Next, take the two rulers and glue them to the bottom edge of the plywood, then nail in place with the nailer. This becomes a shelf for your chalk and eraser!

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

You’re almost done! Take a piece of chalk and rub it all over the board. This primes the chalkboard for writing on it.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

And that’s it! Add a festive message, using regular chalk or a chalk marker.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

Get it?!? “Measure”?!? Because the yardsticks and rulers?!? (DIY humor, har har!)

I placed it on the bookcase in our breakfast room so that our kids could reach it and change the countdown number.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

What I love about this project is:

(1) You don’t have to just use it for Christmas! You can use it as a memo board, or as a countdown board for birthdays or other holidays.

Christmas countdown chalkboard - thediybungalow.com

(2) It’s easy to find the materials for this project (you can find yardsticks everywhere) and it’s easy to make.

(3) I love using the RYOBI 18V ONE+ tools because they all use the same battery and they are really easy to use. While RYOBI did provide me with the miter saw used in this project, I would not tell you how easy it is to use and how much I love it unless I actually did. Word of honor. RYOBI tools rock.

Want more easy projects for the holidays? Hop on over to the other blogs participating in the RYOBI Christmas Blog Hop!

easy-build-christmas-projects

And here are the links to those projects:

Rustic Scrap Wood Christmas Tree– Dukes and Duchesses
Snowflake String Art– DIY on the Cheap
Silhouette Stand Nativity– My Day Lights
Instagram stocking holders– Frenchie Wraps
Wooden Sign– Poofy Cheeks
Repurposed Gift Carry All- Let’s Go Junking
Rustic Christmas Tree Decoration-Her Tool Belt
PB Inspired Wall Art– Create and Babble
Woodland Reindeer Ornaments-Whats Ur Home Story
Advent calendar– Carissa Miss
DIY Stackable Slatted Fruit Crates– Pink When
Joy wood slice sign– Dandelion Patina
Gold Reindeer Décor– Simply Designing
Wooden Christmas Tree Display– Lauras Crafty Life
Pallet Wood Christmas Tree– Roubinek Reality
Caddy with Herb Infused Oils- 356 Days of Crafts
Wood gift tag– Being Spiffy
DIY Vintage Sled– Fynes Designs

Click on the project name and find some easy projects to do this holiday season!

You might also like:

  • The Friday Five: Five Chalkboard Paint Projects
    The Friday Five: Five Chalkboard Paint Projects
  • The Friday Five: Five DIY Projects You Can Do in a Weekend
    The Friday Five: Five DIY Projects You Can Do in a Weekend
  • Easy and Free Holiday Garland
    Easy and Free Holiday Garland

Filed Under: DIY, Holidays & Seasonal, Repurposing and Upcycling 19 Comments

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

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Comments

  1. Virginia Fynes says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Great idea! Perfect project for a beginner and can be used year round! love it!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      November 17, 2014 at 11:30 am

      Thanks, Virginia! I love your project, too. We have some talented folks on this blog hop!

      Reply
  2. Jill @ BeingSpiffy says

    November 17, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    What a great use for vintage yardsticks!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      November 17, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Thanks, Jill!

      Reply
  3. Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

    November 17, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    This is such a fun idea! Love it!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      November 18, 2014 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks, Erin!

      Reply
  4. Tracey @Let's Go Junking says

    November 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    My sister-in-law would love this! I see a Christmas present coming on. She can use this all year round in her kitchen!

    Reply
    • Karen Cooper says

      November 19, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Awesome! Let me know how she likes it! Thanks!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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