Saturday, March 2, 2019

CHALKBOARD CHARGERS

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Some say it all starts at your door. But I think the table is where it is at. Yes. This is where all the important elements come together, the dishes, the lighting, the wine, the napkins, the glasses, the flowers, the ambiance... It is the beginning sentence of the paragraph. The table. All great gatherings begin at your table. This is where you eat, you laugh, and sometimes you cry with those who are important to you. At your table. So always make it memorable. Here are two simple takes for two different styles, one slightly contemporary and the other a little bit modern farmhouse. Copy one of mine or create one of your own. Make it special. Make it beautiful. Make it yours. 


Start with just a few basics.


A simple runner, a small bouquet of flowers, candles, tea lights, an interesting element, a garland and maybe s scattering of sequins to center your table. You just might surprise yourself and find many of these you have already at home.


This is the chalkboard fabric I used for the chargers. To purchase...Link here. It arrived with slight dents where the fabric was rolled around a cardboard core. I took a medium iron to the back side (not the black fabric side) and pressed the dents out. All irons are not created equal, so it is best to start with a cool iron and gradually increased the heat until the dents smooth out.

Lay the fabric face down on a smooth surface.


I used an old charger as a template.



Flip the charger over. Use a sharpie marker and trace around the edge.


One yard of blackboard fabric will make 4 chargers. 14" is a perfect size.




Cut out with scissors on the sharpie line.



Flip over to the right side. Use white chalk and cover the entire surface with chalk.


Wipe off with a slightly wet sponge or damp paper towel. Let dry.





Repeat-chalk, wipe, let dry. Now your chargers are ready for customizing with that perfect smudged look.

Use a liquid chalk pen for lettering. Find a font or make one up of your own. If you make a mistake, simply wipe off and start lettering again.


Using your own script add names. Run a branch before and after each name.


Add a few ovals for leaves.


And a couple of dots for berries.


And then...





Modern Farmhouse, every plate is different, but collected, a little twine, glass jar votive and a old shutter. Simple.



Contemporary, copy a font. This is my take of a popular Rae Dunn alphabet. This font ties the chargers together with a more modern look of white plates, black linens, lit white birch garland and faux marble bread and butter plates.






And then when it is all over, wipe off and create something new.




Welcome. It all starts at your table.

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