Wisteria Catalog Inspired Chalkboard Place Cards

So, I was all gung-ho about starting my Organization Revolution project in the kitchen this week. I got to the very end where I needed to print my labels and my plan came to a screeching halt. As luck would have it, my printer stopped working.

Organization-for-under-my-kitchen-sink…mission accomplished. Blog post with pretty pictures…mission failed.

via WotWentWrite

Instead, I’m moving on to plan B and sharing a tutorial I did as a guest for Traci at Beneath My Heart.

I love faux finishes, so when I saw the Wisteria Catalog’s iron plaques, I knew I could figure out a way to make the same chalkboard contact paper that I had on hand to resemble the look of iron.

Wisteria Iron Plaques

Wisteria’s iron plaques sell for $19.00 for a set of six, but with a few supplies you can make your own for about $0.30 a piece.

So what’s the secret behind making chalkboard contact paper look like iron?

Well, did you know that you can sand and faux finish contact paper? Neither did I until I did a little bit of experimentation!

Supplies for making chalkboard place cards:

1. Chalkboard Contact Paper (affiliate link)

2. Heavy card stock paper

3. Fine grit #320 sandpaper

4. White latex paint

5. Template for the place card (found below)

5. Other supplies such as scissors, a paint brush, paper towels and chalk.

The How-to:

Cut the contact paper slightly larger than the card stock. Laminate the card stock with the contact paper and smooth the wrinkles out with a credit card.

Sand the contact paper on the front and back with the #320 sand paper till the sheen is gone.

Apply a whitewash solution of white latex paint. The ratio of paint to water is about 1:4. (Leave about a inch unpainted on the sides so the paint doesn’t seep to the other side.)

As soon as you apply the paint, wipe it off with a dry paper towel. Allow this to dry for about a minute and repeat on the other side.

Print this template out as a 3.5 x 5″ photo. {Right click the photo below and then click on “save image as”.}

You will be able to trace this shape five times onto the contact paper. Once you cut it out, measure one inch from the bottom and fold to make a stand.

I love how versatile they are!

To get you inspired, here’s a few ways that I’ve used them.

They are perfect for a buffet table. I’m making some for our family reunion.

Here’s one that I used for my mom’s gift from the boys.

And of course, you can use them for place cards for dinner parties and wedding receptions!

{Here’s a little tip: place a pebble behind it to keep it upright since they are so lightweight.}

And I love this idea from Angie of The Country Chic Cottage. These wedding reception table number tags on mason jars are adorable!

via Country Chic Cottage

Hope to see you next week as I move on to tackling the hall closet! Wish me luck!

I’m linking up to some of my favorite blogs such as:

Six Sisters Stuff
The Frugal Girls
Uncommon Designs
Just Us Four
Swede Dreams
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia

Design Dining and Diapers

**Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links**