DIY Dollar Store Chalkboard Tray

For a recent dinner party I served a cheese tray. Instead of the usually guessing/sniffing/tasting game, I decided I would be nice to my guests and let them know what type of cheeses we had.  I made a chalkboard tray using a tray I bought at the dollar store and some chalkboard paint from the craft store.

The tutorial for this is stupid it's so easy...

Ok, so to make your DIY chalkboard cheese tray you need a platter (mine was plastic), chalkboard paint, and a foam brush.

Squeeze some of the paint right onto the tray (not too much because if it's too thick it won't dry very well) and use the foam brush to evenly spread it all over the tray.  I tried to brush all in the same direction. 

Let it dry.  If the tray is peeking through and you need a second coat, go ahead and add it once the first coat is dry.

Once the paint is completely dry, you can write on it with chalk.  You can make fun designs or write the names of your cheeses with cute little arrows (I'm humoring myself here because I am the worst doodler).

I recently read a tip about using chalk on DIY chalkboard projects.  If you dip the tip of the chalk in a little bit of water it shows up darker on the chalkboard paint.   At first it's pretty light, but as the chalk dries it becomes a crisp white.

As you can see, I went a little chalkboard crazy...and actually made a faux chalkboard menu board, too.  I LOVE the way it came out - and would you believe the menu board actually involves no chalk and no chalkboard paint?!

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