Photo by Sarah Walor
I know I should embrace technology and record all of my appointments on my online calendar, but as much as I love my iPhone, I need to see a physical calendar to keep track of my family’s schedule and important dates. This magnetic chalkboard calendar is great. Just make it once, then rearrange your number magnets to update it every month.
Note: You can also buy peel-and-stick magnetic sheets and construct a similar calendar right on the side of your refrigerator.
Supplies You'll Need:
• Chalkboard paint
• Magnetic dry-erase board
• Washi tape
• Metallic permanent marker
• Flat glass marbles
• Magnets
• Mod Podge
• Super glue
Directions:
1. Choose a magnetic dry-erase board. Find one that is a size you like, with or without a frame. If it does not have a frame, or has a plain metal frame, you can stick a piece of washi tape around the edge to form a decorative frame.
2. Paint the dry-erase board with chalkboard paint. Tape off the frame, if it has one, so it doesn’t get paint on it. You can use chalkboard spray paint or regular chalkboard paint with a foam brush. Either way, apply several light coats to make sure you get a nice, smooth finish.
3. Use washi tape to make a big rectangle to mark the outside of your calendar. Then, put a second line of tape across the top to define your “days of the week” section.
4. Use a metallic permanent marker to draw a calendar grid. You will need vertical lines between the days of the week and horizontal lines to add boxes for all of the days. Measure the area before you get started to make sure all of your boxes are the same size.
5. Use a metallic marker to write the days of the week at the top. You can also print out the words and glue them into your boxes.
6. Make magnets for the day numbers. Print out numbers that will fit under your flat marbles. Cut them out and glue to the flat underside of the marbles using Mod Podge. When glue has dried, use a strong adhesive, like super glue, to affix the magnets to the back of the marbles.
7. Add your magnets to your calendar. You can also get some small clothespins and glue magnets to the back so you can easily clip papers to your calendar. Now let the organization begin!
Karen Guard is the blogger behind Darling Octopus (darlingoctopus.com). In each issue, she tackles a new do-it-yourself project for R•Home.
