pleasure in simple things

repurposing an old skim board

Creating a ‘beachy’ looking chalkboard from an old skim board was a lot of fun!  You can easily create one too…just follow my simple diy directions.  I completed this project spending $0.  I used all materials I already had at home.

When I saw my daughter throwing out her old skim board, it gave me the idea to turn it into a chalkboard.  (Is there anything that hasn’t been turned into a chalkboard lol!)  It would make the perfect birthday gift for my sister!  She lives on the beach and is a weather fanatic…I wanted to make a chalkboard that she could use as a tide chart.  She has an outdoor patio and I could picture the perfect spot for it in a protected area.  It would also make a great menu board… an option when she entertains.

Supplies needed for project:

• An old skim board check tag sales, Goodwill, or a sports consignment shop for an old one.  New ones probably go for $35 – $40 dollars at Target…at this time of the year, here in the East, all the summer items are on clearance, so you many find one for much less
• Can of chalkboard spray paint
• Glue gun and glue sticks I used 4 or 5 of the small sized sticks
• Old rope approximately 3 yards – measure around the outside of your skim board to come up with the yardage you will need, remembering to add some extra if you want to tie a knot at the end like I did.  I had intended to look for rope at a marine store, but when I found this old one in the garage I thought it had more character (and it was free)
• Drop cloth or old sheet to put the skim board on while painting
• 1 piece of white chalk

I did the spray painting outside…if you choose to, make sure it isn’t a windy day or you will have trouble with the spray paint.

A photo of the top detail on the skim board chalkboard. I knotted the end of the rope before glueing to add some visual interest.

• Assemble your supplies. 
• Prepare skim board.  I lightly sanded the surface figuring the paint would adhere better.  I also washed it down with ammonia. 
• Paint skim board.  Place the skim board on a large drop cloth or sheet.  Spray the top side of the skim board according to the instructions on the chalkboard spray paint.  Even though it suggested two coats, I did four – repeating the process a second time.  It was probably overkill, but it was hard to tell after the first coat if I had covered every spot with the second coat.
• Prepare skim board surface.  As per instructions on the paint can, after waiting 48 hours, I took a piece of chalk on its side and covered the surface.  Then, wiped it off.

A photo of the skim board after I sprayed it with the chalkboard paint and put on and wiped off the white chalk. The rope is an old one I found in the garage that I glued around the edge for a finishing touch.

• Glue rope around edge.  Just painting the skim board didn’t look finished to me, so I decided to glue a rope around the edge.  I knotted one end as a decorative touch, and glued it near the top of the board.  I continued using the glue gun to attach the rope all the way around.  I glued a small section at a time holding the rope firmly to the skim board until it dried.

Done.  THAT’S IT!  And, it looks great, right?  I chose to write on it before I gave it to my sister to show her what I thought she could use it for.  I love it.  And, I didn’t even spend one cent!  Be on the lookout for old skim boards!  There are plenty of ways you can add your own personal touches to it.  You can add shells, driftwood, etc. or stencil on an anchor or a personalization.  Happy skimming!

Thanks so much for visiting, Jackie

This project is being shared with Craftberry Bush Outdoor Linky Party and  Celebrating Everyday Life for their recycled & repurposed diy project link party.