how to make a chalkboard covered journal- DIY teacher gift
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As the end of the school year approaches (here in Denver, at least), I thought I’d share the chalkboard covered journals that Burke and I made as a gift for his teachers. They are easy to put together, inexpensive to make (I think I spent $2 on each one) and such a hit!
I blame my days as a classroom teacher for this-I have tons of opinions about the best ways to show teachers how much you appreciate them. I tend towards practical gifts (think Starbucks gift cards) and also love any chance to express heartfelt, personal thanks. I especially love pairing the two of those.
These journals (we made them into Quote Books so that Burke’s preschool teachers have a spot to record the hilariousness that they hear every day) plus a Starbucks gift card fit right into that sentimental-plus-practical category.
Would you like to make a chalkboard notebook for a teacher in your life?
First gather your supplies- a plain composition notebook, chalkboard contact paper (I got mine on Amazon), and scissors. Lay your opened notebook on top of the contact paper to measure how much you’ll need. Give yourself a border of at least an inch all the way around the edge. Also, close the notebook while holding the contact paper in place to measure how much you’ll need for the spine. Once measured, cut the contact paper. Notch the corners so you won’t have excess contact paper overlapping at the corners. To adhere, peel up one edge of the contact paper backing and place the back cover of the composition book in the center (again, leaving the perimeter you cut all the way around your cover). Carefully roll the spine of the comp book onto the contact paper, covering. Unpeel the rest of the contact paper and smooth onto the front cover of the comp book. Now, fold the excess around the edges of the book, trimming the excess on the spine and on the corners (if they’re rounded).
Now the fun part- grab a chalk pen and some chalk and decorate the notebook (I did the front- Burke did the back), wrap up with a bow (and a gift card) and deliver to the teacher you appreciate!
ADORABLE!! Jonah’s last of school is tomorrow, so I don’t have time to pull this one off. But I’m definitely tucking this idea away for next year!
Nicole, it could be a Christmas gift for next year! 🙂
Every time I see your name on here, it makes me smile! 🙂
These are wonderful – and I don’t imagine there’s a teacher out there who hasn’t heard her pupils say something hilarious now and then, so what a great idea to give her a dedicated journal to record it!
I think you make a great point too about practical gifts. Gift-giving etiquette varies slightly between our two countries, but I think your point applies to both; something like a gift card is always great for someone whose personal tastes and/or hobbies you may not know.
Unfortunately I’m not sure my own efforts would quite compete with your talented free-hand work, but now I’m thinking of ways to combine chalk with stencils and the like 🙂
What a thoughtful comment- love your input! 🙂
And don’t count yourself out for the freehanding- it takes a couple tries, but isn’t that hard. 🙂
Thanks! I guess practice would help, I just need to develop some patience 🙂
Hahahaha- me too. 🙂
Super cute! I love that my kids teachers gave us some of our own kids funny quotes yesterday. Maybe I need one of these for me 🙂
You know, Melissa, cone to think of it I do sometimes write down funny conversations I’ve had with my nephews, kids have such a different perspective on life, they’re great!
I recently reminded my 20 y.o. cousin on Facebook about the time he explained to me, very gravely, that a waiter in France taught him that “boudoir” means “No more 7up, thankyou!” 😀
I love this… I would love to have a record of the funny things my kids/cousins/etc. say.
Melissa, I love that! Kids’ quotes are the best! “These are for the XL ladies” could go in your quote book? 🙂
Cute cute cute!!! Love this!
Thanks Janel! 🙂
very cute!!
thanks love!