Hey friends! It’s been awhile since I wrote a Trashtastic Treasures post, and it is long overdue! And something that I really have missed. I love to repurpose and upcycle things, and I have been focusing on some larger projects in the past few months, so these little projects often get pushed aside. I am so excited to share my new letterboard with you. I actually finished this several weeks ago, but hadn’t had the chance to do a photo shoot of it until this past weekend. I’m going to show you how to turn a restaurant menu board into a letterboard for your home. I have been seeing (and swooning over) letterboards all over Instagram, and I wanted one in a bad way, but when I started shopping for one, I found out they weren’t really cheap. $50 was the cheapest one I could find. So, I took to Ebay to see what I could come up with, and I found this letterboard that looked like it was made to go in a window of a restaurant.
I found this sign for $15, and the letters came with it. I knew I could make it look like what I had in mind for a letterboard for our home. This sign had suction cups on all four corners so that it could stick in a window or door. And the letterboard part of the sign slid up and down to expose either open or closed.
First thing I did was to remove the suction cups with a screwdriver, and I just sanded down the holes where they were screwed in. I then filled them in, with some spackle, and let it dry. After it dried, I sanded it smooth until you couldn’t really tell there were holes there. And then I painted the frame and the glass that said open with some black chalkboard paint that I already had on hand.
After the chalkboard paint was dry, I seasoned the part of it that had said open by taking a piece of chalk and rubbing it on it’s side all over the area, and then wiping it with a tissue. Once it is seasoned, you can write or draw on it with chalk. You need to season it, because if you don’t, the word you write on it the first time will be difficult to erase. But once it is seasoned properly, you don’t have the problem. Plus. I think it looks better that way.
All of the different green and blue bottles and jars came from various thrift stores and yard sales. This is the way my table has looked since I took down my Christmas decor, pretty much. There was a different piece in a frame there, I just replaced it with my new letterboard when it was finished. You see this table right as you come to the top of the stairs from our split entry home.
The only thing left for me to do when the board was finished was to find an interesting quote to display. I decided to utilize the chalkboard part as part of the quote. But other times I may draw something there. This quote I found that says give yourself something to look forward to that’s not a person is a subliminal message to a certain family member. Ha! I think young people tend to forget to make other things besides a love interest their focus in life. So I think this is fitting. And just true inspiration, really, for all people.
I could have easily paid between $50-$100 to purchase a letterboard for our home, but instead, I got creative and ended up with this one for less than $20 including shipping. I already had everything I needed on hand to complete this makeover. Isn’t it cute?!? And just one more example of who you can save money and still have a trendy and stylish look in your home. You can check out more of my Trashtastic Treasures projects under the project tabs at the top of this page.
If you like it, then you wanna put a pin on it!
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Brilliant! Love that you used the chalkboard paint to make it your own! Great idea. And what a fun way to give yourself a pep talk every day!
Thanks for the great idea!
Hugs, Lynn
Thanks so much Lynn! I really love it!
That is a great find!! And I love how you thought to make the top a chalkboard. Very very Clever. I wish I had one now 🙂
hugs,
Jenny
Thanks Jenny, you are so sweet!
Nicki, I really love how you added the chalkboard paint to the top, along with your quote.
Thanks so much Carol! Glad you like it!
Nikki, I love what you have done with this board. I love anything that you can write inspiration on. Great upcycle!
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Thanks Sherry! It was such a more inexpensive way to get what I wanted!
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What a cute idea. I like how you can change the sayings.
Thanks so much! I need to find a cute Irish blessing to put up this weekend!
Hi! I’m one of the co-hosts from the Welcome Home Wednesdays Link Up. I love this menu board. I wish I could find one to re-do. I have a new project in mind now when my hubby & I are out at flea markets and thrift stores. Thank you for sharing!
Hey Leslie! Thanks so much! I bought mine on Ebay, and wouldn’t be surprised if you could find one that way! But the thrill of the hunt is even more fun and rewarding!
I love these boards too but haven’t gotten one because of the cost. What a great solution and love how yours turned out with the little chalkboard! Thanks for linking up with Funtastic Friday!
I felt the exact same way as you Heidi! I love my little board just as much as I would have loved one of the expensive ones too! Thanks so much for letting me know!
LOVE the box below your sign!!! Did you make it? If so, how? Thank you.
No, I didn’t make it, I have owned it for probably 20 years! Thanks so much though!
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That is a find! I bought mine at Hobby Lobby for 15 on sale but it doesn’t have the character yours does. I love using mine.
Thanks so much! I have noticed since I made my letterboard that you can find them for more affordable prices now, which is great!