• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Moody Blonde
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfasts
    • Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Drinks
    • Salad
    • Soup
  • Everything Else
    • Product Reviews
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Appetizers
  • Soup
  • Dinner
    • Instant Pot
  • Side Dishes
  • Desserts
  • Everything Else
×

DIY: Upcycle a Photo Collage Frame Into a Chalkboard

Christina Morris 4 Comments

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Upcycle A Photo Collage Frame

I really love photo collage frames, but this one was just looking...outdated. The kids in those pictures are now in their 20s. I kept telling myself I'd take out the pictures and put them in another frame, but I never got around to it. (Story of my life.) Finally, when we moved, the glass broke. So I decided the time had come to do something else. I took out the pictures and put them in a box (more on that later!) and then decided that I could use a chalkboard instead. Here's how to upcycle a photo collage frame into a chalkboard. Difficulty: Almost none. In fact, it's so easy that I'd call it a kid craft. 

upcycle a photo collage frame: old and outdated brown collage picture frame ready to be upcycled

*This post uses affiliate links. While they don't cost you a penny extra to use, I am compensated a small amount if you use them.*

First, I took a little sandpaper and roughed up the shiny finish on the frame. Because it was pretty old, there wasn't much to rub off. However, making the surface a little rough helps the paint stick better.

Next, using a sponge paint brush, I coated the entire front of the frame in black acrylic paint. It was a last minute and rather unplanned project, so I only did one coat.

upcycle a photo collage frame with a sponge brush and black acrylic paint to get a nice smooth finish.

Here's what it looks like finished (don't mind my sweatshirt - #shortgirlproblems!)

upcycle a photo collage frame with rectangular upcycled collage picture frame painted shiny black with a foam brush

I let it dry overnight. The next day, I decided that if I was going to use black chalkboard paper, this would be too much black. So I lightened it up with some eggshell acrylic paint. Originally, I wanted to sponge paint it, but I had no sp0nges. I opted for some Polyfill stuffing. Still with me? I told you it was easy to upcycle a photo collage frame!

upcycle a photo collage frame by painting it black with eggshell acrylic paint and fiberfill stuffing

It actually worked pretty well. 

upcycle a photo collage frame is repainted black with white and grey marbling

Next, I decided that it needed some grey, too.

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame by painting it black and adding grey and white marbling splotches

I really liked the effect I got, though if I did it over, I'd add a little less grey I think.

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame black background with grey and white painted marbling

Even with a little too much grey, I think it looks great as a whole.

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame with black background with grey and white painted marble effect

My upcycled photo collage frame now has a sort of marbled effect to it.

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame with pressboard insert having chalkboard paper put on it.

While the paint dried (I actually left it overnight), I took the pressboard insert from the back of the collage photo frame and stuck some chalkboard paper to it. 

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame with marbled background

This is the finished product on the wall - I thought it could use a little bit of color! Isn't it funny how a chalk board for things to remember sounds like such a great idea until you can't remember what it was you wanted to put on there?

photo of how to upcycle a photo collage frame with marbled background and the words believe in yourself written on it with butterflies

So I got out my chalkboard markers and wrote something I try to remember every day - Believe in yourself. I can't think of a better thing to remember! (Literally.)

That's all there is to it! Other than having enough space in the room to grab a shot of the upcycled collage photo frame to chalkboard from afar - which I don't, I think it all went pretty smoothly!

I think I want to upcycle a photo collage frame into something else next time - it's yard sale season. I know I'll come across a ton of them! Any ideas?

What's your favorite upcycling project?

 


 

« 9 Tips for Safely Cooking Chicken
Summer Salad Meal Recipes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny B

    July 22, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    I love how you added the DIY marbled effect! It looks really good. I'd love to do this project!

    Reply
  2. Melissa Storms

    July 26, 2018 at 3:06 pm

    I love this and my local thrift store has tons of frames on the cheap. I might do one for our kitchen and one for my sons room.

    Reply
  3. Lynne B

    September 11, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    I think I have that very same frame! lol. I think it has pictures from before we had kids. I love a good DIY!

    Reply
  4. Tamra Phelps

    September 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    I like this idea. I could see putting it in the kitchen as a family message board, or near the main door to leave messages.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

pic of me Life is a lot easier than it looks! The Moody Blonde is for anyone who loves to make easy recipes for their families. No fancy ingredients and no weird foods - just tasty and easy meals in minutes!

Footer

Amazon Affiliates

This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Browse By Course

  • Breakfasts
  • Dinner
  • Desserts

Browse By Method

  • Instant Pot

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Media Kit

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 The Moody Blonde

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you'd like.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT