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Create a versatile chalkboard backdrop for your next party using an old classroom map!
As you know, we love parties at our house and I look for any excuse to hold a party.
I love finding fun, new and creative ways to decorate for parties and I especially love decor that I can use over and over again for various parties and themes.
Today’s party backdrop is fun and versatile.
Can you guess what I made it out of? It’s an old school retractable map!!
Now if you don’t have one of these just laying around your house, you can get yourself one on ebay for $30-40.00 That’s where I got mine! Mine also came with a bonus of two other maps!
How to Make A Chalkboard Backdrop
- Cut off any extra maps so there is just one map attached. I just cut off the more interesting of the two maps – for a possible future project.
- Remove the metal casing that it comes with because of the weight of it. It will be easier to hang on the wall with out it.
- You won’t need it to retract anymore. You can just roll it up when you aren’t using it.
- Using black chalkboard paint, paint over entire surface of the map.
It took about 3 coats of paint to cover it. It was then ready to be chalked.
What Kind of Chalk Should I Use?
I used regular chalk on it instead of chalk pens because I would be erasing it and regular chalk erases better than chalkpens.
I had a bridal shower I was hosting and I wanted to use it as the backdrop to our serving table. Because my chalk art skills are limited, I called in a friend to help me with the chalk art.
Since it was a bridal shower we went with the words from an old Beatles song – All you need is love!
Hannah did such a great job and she just free handed it all – no tracing or lines!
It made the perfect backdrop for our bridal tea party and the pretty bride to be!
How to Hang a Chalkboard Backdrop?
I used Commando hooks and some string to hang it on the wall.
I may just leave it hanging in my kitchen for a while I like it so much. Can’t wait to use it again at our next party. It would be a fun chalkboard photo backdrop too.
More details on our bridal tea party go here.
Other party backdrop ideas:
- Polkadot Backdrop
- Barn Wedding
- How to Create Your Own Party Backdrop
- Graduation Party Decor
- Crepe Bar Bridal Shower
Landee says
Wow! That can now be used for a zillion different things! Love that! It would also be fun to just hang up and let the kids color on for a while sometimes too. Awesome idea!
Leigh Anne says
Thanks! I can’t wait to use it for another party and I love your idea of just letting it be a hanging chalkboard for a while!!
capturing joy with kristen duke says
I love this idea, Leigh Anne! I love party backdrops, and this is such a versatile look and BIG! Though I may be slightly sad at covering up the map, glad you got to keep one;)
Leigh Anne says
Thanks Kristen – I did hesitate a bit in painting over the map but I chose the uglier of the two so it wasn’t that hard!
Cheryl F. says
Totally reminds me of TidyMom’s wallpaper.
Mique says
LOVE how this turned out LA!! SO fabulous.
Leigh Anne says
Thanks Mique! I’m pretty much in love with it and I may never take it down.
Donald @ Tea Time says
You always had good ideas! It’s looking beautiful.