DIY: Upcycle a Photo Collage Frame Into a Chalkboard

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I really love photo collage frames, but this one was just looking…outdated.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. 

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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.

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

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!

It actually worked pretty well. 

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

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

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

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

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?

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?