Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Chalkboard Shape Labels

Is it just me, or have you seen tons of chalkboard projects out there? I am loving it! Chalkboard plant pots, chalkboard plates, chalkboard on mirrors, and chalkboard on paper. Beth over at The Stories of A 2 Z just had a chalkboard paint party a while ago and I wish I knew about it! I would have submitted my vinyl chalkboard! Anyway, there are tons of cool ideas for chalkboard for you to find there.

Since our move to this house I vowed to be super-organized. Well, at least semi-organized. In my quest for that goal, I wanted to organize my teacher resources before I head back to school next week after 14 months of mat leave (boo). A few years ago I had organized my resources by month, because our JK classroom runs on themes. But, all those resources were stuffed into random cardboard boxes. Blech.


So when Canadian Tire had a sale on some bins this week I went running out and bought 8 - just enough for each month of teaching. Yes, I teach more than 8 months - but June doesn't count (lol - we are so busy with swimming, reports, and finishing up May stuff), July and August is Summer (yay) and we combine February and March for our extensive dinosaur theme (also taking into account we have a 2-week March Break). I digress. Sorry about that.

So I got my bins, took out my chalkboard vinyl (which cleans up in a breeze, by the way, with a damp cloth) and cut out some labels. Oh no, not just any old labels! If you can cut regular vinyl on a die-cut machine like my Cricut (or a Silhouette), then why not chalkboard vinyl? Seemed so simple, but I had never thought of it before. Baby brain? Does that count? My son isn't 1 year yet, so maybe I'll chalk it up to that. Ooops, no pun intended. Really.

I measured out the size of label I wanted for my bins (I wanted them big - 3 1/2") and started cutting. I chose a lovely shape for them, and am so happy with the results!! Isn't it great? I am so happy with them! Now, if our theme changes, so can the label. If I move grades, the label can reflect that change! Or, if I choose a different system altogether, labelled bins always come in handy!



But that's not all! Nooooo, my fellow bloggers, there's more! If you can use regular spray paint on paper (I've seen it done, have you?) then why can't you use chalkboard spray paint on paper? Yes, seen it done - Jess at Frugal with a Flourish did it on cardboard! I kid you not!

So....I went out and bought some sticker paper - plain white sheets of adhesive paper to make your own stickers, etc. I ran some through the Cricut, choosing different shapes (if you do this, try to choose a 'chunky' shape so the label doesn't get too flimsy - also, if you use the 'blackout' option in Cricut it will give you a nice big shape as well). Then, spray painted them and voila! Different shapes of labels! Here are a few small ones I did for you to see. Aren't the school bus and apple labels cute?


I am in love with my new labels, I hope you like them, too!

Linking up to:

Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden

HookingupwithHoH


SYS Thurs


A Little Knick Knack
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Join  us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up       party!

15 comments:

  1. So inventive! And so organized, good for you!
    Does this mean that summers over:(

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  2. Oh Chalkboard paint, an amazing invention!! Can't wait to use it in the baby room:)

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  3. This is a great idea! I am going to have to try this because I am not very organized right now. :)

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  4. Smooches darling! Thanks for the shout out! :) I am telling you - chalkboard spray paint has changed my life! Love your "stickers"!

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  5. I have to say, this is awesome! What a wonderful way to use chalkboard. I am a chalkboard lover as well! Great ideas. I envy the organization!

    Thank for you for linking up to my Friday link party! Hope to see you back next week!

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  6. What a great idea! There are different colors of chalk paint, I can just see the endless crafting projects I can do now that I know you can spray it on paper! Thanks for the tip. Saw this on Tater tots and jello

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  7. Those are precious! I've been wanting some just like those for my canisters, but I don't have a Cricut, so I ended up painting on boring old rectangles. Your vinyl ones are soooo much cuter! Durn, I need a Cricut!

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  8. Stopping by from Tatertots and Jello. Your vinyl labels look great! Wish I had a Cricut ~ maybe one day :)

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  9. Great labels! I never thought to spray paint the sticker paper - nice! {Visiting from Tatertots and Jello}

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  10. No Cricuts here in Portugal. Maybe I should encourage you to sell them so I can buy a few? They are great! Thanks for inspiring my organizational thoughts!

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  11. Your storage bins turned out great! I hadn't heard of chalkboard vinyl before I read this post. I love using chalkboard paint so will most certainly be on the lookout for chalkboard vinyl.

    BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog!

    Belle
    http://beautifulnest.blogspot.com/

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  12. Hi, Elizabeth! I haven't visited in a while. Your bins look great, and what a creative idea you had to use shapes that one likes and paint them with the chalkboard paint. You're very smart! :)
    Best regards,
    Gloria

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  13. Cool way to use chalkboard paint. I hadn't thought to use it for labels- great idea!

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  14. I love your chalkboard vinyl labels~ they are so cute! It is such a great idea! :)

    Thank you also for stopping by Beautiful Nest and entering our giveaway! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

    Blessings,
    Jenni

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  15. Thanks for the nice words on my dresser! You need to change your settings so I can email directly back to you!
    Hope "back to school" is going well so far!

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