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in Home Decor

How to Make Chalkboard Signs with Silhouette Vinyl

Who loves chalkboard signs as much as I do, but wishes they had better hand-lettering skills? I’m going to show you an easy way to make your own chalkboard signs with Silhouette Vinyl! That’s right, you don’t even need chalk for this, although it does help a little. Now some of you may already have a cutting machine or maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of getting one but not sure what to make with it. We have got you covered! Today, I’ve teamed up with several other crafty bloggers to bring you some of our favorite Silhouette projects so you’re sure to find some inspiration here.

silhouette_monthly_challenge

Be sure to check out all the other great projects at the end of this post!!

Now, let’s get started on a vinyl no-chalk vinyl chalkboard sign, shall we? 🙂
hot_cocoa_chalkboard_sign

The chalkboard sign I’m creating is a hot chocolate bar sign, and the great thing about using the Silhouette vinyl is it can be removed any time you are ready for a change. Just be sure you are using the removable indoor vinyl.

Time to decide on a quote for my chalkboard. It’s not quite Springtime and crisp cool nights keep us cozied up by the fire with our steaming cups of homemade cocoa. Some of the best times are shared making a good cup of cocoa and enjoying every sip together. That’s how I came up with this design, “All you need is LOVE and a little hot cocoa!”

First things first fellow crafters! We need a chalkboard and we need to prep it. Now you can find chalkboards like this one at every craft store, or you can make your own with a little wood and chalkboard paint like I did here and here. To prep my chalkboard for this project, I clean it with a damp cloth to get all that chalk dust that would make it difficult for the vinyl to adhere to. While that’s drying, lets get busy cutting the design!silhouette_chalk_screenshot_settings

In my Silhouette software, I set the page and cut settings for vinyl. This vinyl I’m using is a 9” x 24” piece leftover from a sheet I have of Silhouette White Matte Vinyl so I know I will have to get creative to fit all of the design onto this one sheet. That’s okay, I try to waste very little vinyl and we can just apply this design in pieces and it will all come together in the end.

I’m a visual person and need to see the whole picture of the design before I cut it, so I create my design off the page which let’s me see proportions I wanted for each word and illustration.silhouette_settings_chalkboard_signI use fonts that I have previously downloaded for free and you can too! The fonts I’m using in this design include: A Love of Thunder and  KG Second Spaces Solid. I’m also using this cute design from the Silhouette Store that I downloaded into my library and modified just a little.hot_cocoa_design

Now I’m satisfied with my design and it’s time to put it to the vinyl and get this baby cutting!

Remember this small piece of vinyl that I’m using? I’m setting my page measurements to the 9″ x 24″ piece I have so I can see my cut lines. I’m going to ungroup all of these words and move them individually into the cut area to squeeze it all in. It takes some adjusting and once I’m finished, it’s ready to cut. Here’s how it ended up:how_to_make_chalkboard_vinyl

Nevermind that it now says “Is all you need a little hot love & cocoa” 🙂 That’s just how the vinyl cut y’all!!  Hey, whatever works for you!

Back to the Silhouette machine! After cutting the vinyl, now it’s time to weed the design and get it ready for application. You can use the weeding tool that comes with the Silhouette Machine or you can just use the closest Xacto knife like I do. I’m putting each piece on separately so I’m going to cut each word out and lay them out on the chalkboard to get a good feel for spacing and the big picture here.Hot-Chocolate-Bar-Sign

Anytime I work with vinyl I apply the design using the transfer tape method. If you’re fresh out of transfer tape, good ol’ clear contact paper works great!! Just be sure it’s contact paper and not transparent film. Some of us learn the hard way, and that’s okay! 🙂 A little tape, a little patience to get it straight and then it’s time to unveal the design. There’s nothing like peeling that transfer tape off and seeing a hint of what’s to come!!

hot_cocoa_chalkboard_signs
After transferring the vinyl, it’s time to rough up the chalkboard a little. Remember I said you didn’t even need chalk to make this chalkboard? I use a chalkboard eraser that is already loaded up with chalk dust (complimentary of my 4 year old artist). Lightly run this over the chalkboard… gently… making sure not to peel the vinyl off. This gives it a more authentic look of real chalk. If you don’t have the chalkboard eraser, you can use a piece of chalk and lightly season the board by using the flat side of the chalk to cover the board, and then erase it. Y’all ready to see the final product?silhouette-chalkboard-signs

That little steamy cocoa mug just puts a smile on my face!!

We’ve recently moved into a new house! More to come on that later, but for now I’m hanging this chalkboard sign in the kitchen where I’ve set up a small table with cocoa powder, marshmallows, sprinkles, and chocolate chips… all the things to make a hot chocolate bar. It’s the perfect height that my daughter can reach it and fix her own cup (with mommy’s assistance of course).

hot_cocoa_bar

There you have it! An easy way to make your own chalkboard signs without the need for artsy handwriting or even one piece of chalk!! The best thing about this is when we are ready to change it out in a few weeks, I can just peel the vinyl off and start a new design. In fact, I think I better restock my transfer tape and white Silhouette Vinyl next week!! Thanks for stopping by and if you have a favorite vinyl project, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!! And be sure to check out all these other great Silhouette projects from my friends! They’ve got some awesome talent y’all!!

silhouette_monthly_challenge

Hobnail House – Spring Cutout Banner

Pig and Rabbit – Princess Party Favor Bags

Pocketful of Posies – DIY Paper Olive Plants

DIY Passion – Wood Shim Wreath with Paper Flowers

C’mon Get Crafty – Sleeping Baby Delivery Sign

Tried and True – Easter Bunny Carrot Plate

Holly Craft – DIY Custom Phone Case

My Life from Home – Easter Candy Bucket

Knock It Off Kim – Bunny Paper Cut Vase

Dwell Beautiful – Harry Potter Accio Coffee T-shirt

Morena’s Corner – Custom Flocked Birthday Card

Simply Darrling – Upcycled Nautical Anchor Serving Tray

Green With Decor – Making Food Party Labels Using Silhouette Machine

Creatively Southern – How to Make Chalkboard Sign with Silhouette Vinyl

Craving Some Creativity – Print and Cut Silhouette Closet Organization Tags

Vintage Romance Style – How to Create Your Childs Silhouette

Filed Under: Home Decor Tagged With: chalkboard, silhouette

Hi, I’m Ellora – A mom, DIY’er, and party planner with a love for family and a passion for life, creativity, and design. Welcome to Creatively Southern, your destination for inspiration to find simplicity, calm the noise, and focus on what’s important so you can be more creative and find balance and happiness in every aspect of life.
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Comments

  1. Erica Sooter says

    March 14, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    I just love how you combined a bunch of different elements to make this adorable sign! I’m a big fan of coffee/tea bars and this cocoa bar is just perfect for driving away that last bit of winter. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 14, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      Thank you Erica! I’m definitely ready for Spring, but enjoying every little bit of comfort cocoa before the warm weather is here to stay! 🙂 Thanks for commenting and visiting!!

      Reply
  2. Rachel Beach says

    March 11, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    Your cocoa bar is adorable and the sign is just perfect! Great job!

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 11, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you Rachel!!

      Reply
  3. Amy Warden Dowling says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Very cute! I will definitely have to do this because my chalk writing skills are not great yet. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 11, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Thank you Amy! I so wish I had the talent to just freehand the letters!

      Reply
  4. Rachel Teodoro says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:28 pm

    What a great idea! I love chalk art but sometimes it’s just so darn hard to get it right. This is fool proof!

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 11, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      You got that right Rachel! Thank you so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. C'mon Get Crafty says

    March 10, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    I’m with you, I love a no-chalk chalkboard. 🙂 My Silhouette does a much better job at lettering than I do! Love how this turned out!

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 11, 2016 at 9:50 pm

      I hear ya! Thanks so much for your comments and for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Cat @ Pocketful of Posies says

    March 10, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Such a cute sign Ellora! I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment! There’s nothing like a cup of hot coco when its cold out! THank you for sharing! Pinning!

    Cat

    Reply
    • Ellora @ Creatively Southern says

      March 11, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you Cat! Love my hot cocoa and might have to change it over to a lemonade stand for Spring! 😉

      Reply

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