Craft Time: Chalkboard Cheese & Dip Tray

I wanted to share a fun craft that I did this week.  I got the idea to make some chalkboard crafts from seeing stuff on Pinterest as well as these fun chalkboard place mats at Crate & Barrel.  I found this tray at Goodwill for $3 and realized it would fit my small CorningWare perfectly.  This was my first foray with chalkboard paint and I'm really happy with how it turned out!  Next up is chalkboard placemats!  Here's the steps I took below:

Here are the supplies!  Chalkboard paint and brushes from A.C. Moore and the chalk came from the Dollar Tree.  Wood tray was from Goodwill.

First I taped the sides of the two circles because I did not want them to be painted.  Then I wiped the tray and applied the first coat of chalkboard paint.

I made sure to apply an even coat to the entire tray then I let it dry for an hour.

After the first coat sat for an hour, I applied another even coat.  I took my chalkboard paint a little down the side of the tray.  After the 2nd coat was applied, the tray needed 24 hours to completely dry.

The next day, once the tray was completely dried, I covered it in a thin layer of chalk.  (This adds a base layer of chalk, so when you write on it, the words don't stay on it after you wipe it off.)

Then I pulled up the tape and cleaned off the chalk with soap and water.

Then it was all finished and ready to be used!  

I pulled out these crackers and cheese to test it out.  Planning to use the bowls for dips in the future or olives.  I love the way it looks and can't wait to use it next time we have company!  :-)

Hope you enjoyed this craft post.  It was a really easy craft and a lot of fun.  It would make a really nice housewarming or hostess gift!  There is a good amount of chalkboard paint in the container, so you could make a whole bunch of projects with it, like place mats, name cards, or coasters.

What project would you do with chalkboard paint?  Are there any other crafts you have done lately?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments!