Chalkboard Flower Pot Spoon Markers

Monday, August 09, 2010

First, the project that worked...not to be confused with Plan A that didn't work...
Here's a picture of the spoons in the only herbs that ever dared to live in my backyard for more than a week.

Granted....I didn't actually write the real names of the herbs that were in these pots b/c they are A) A gift for someone else, so this isn't their permanent home, and B) I couldn't remember what herbs actually lived at my house b/c I rarely visit them, and C) They are in the witness protection program, so I can't reveal their real name.
These garden markers aren't going to live at my house b/c they are part of a bigger gift for a friend....I'll share the whole she-bang after her birthday she-bang...and after I actually figure out what the whole she-bang is going to be.
And without further ado....
How to make a chalkboard spoon:
Warning- You're probably going to need to print these complicated instructions out...or tell them to a two year old so they can take you through the steps later if you choose to try this out.
A) First buy a bunch of materials you don't know how to use correctly, pout when you realized you don't know how to hammer stuff, and then move on to step B)
B) Supplies: Spoons (I bought these two for a dollar at the dollar store....I later found out they sell old spoons for 15 cents at the local thrift store, or you can snag 'em for free out of your friend's silverware stash...your choice...just wanted to throw all the options out there), chalkboard paint (same can, 15,346 projects later-it's officially going in my will), painter's tape, mallet....or hammer, or good firm stomp.

Instructions:
1. I took a mallet and beat the tar out of each spoon first b/c I was feeling angry...or...I decided it would be easier to write on the spoons if they were flat....and I had seen this done with engraved garden spoons using this same concept, and they flattened them. It's my life long goal to be like everyone else.

2. Tape off bottom of the spoons....just b/c you can.

3. Spray one side....dry (let me say for the 5,346th time....this stuff dries FAST). Spray side two. Dry.

4. Write on spoons...you might want to actually write the actual name of the herb you are marking....or your cooking might take a turn.
5. Plant herbs, mark herbs with spoons.
GOOD NEWS...since it's a chalkboard surface you can kill whatever is planted in the spoon's pot on a regular basis...and rewrite...erase....and rewrite...erase...and rewrite....TRUST ME, this is a necessary feature in my world.
In other non-important news, these were NOT supposed to be chalkboard spoon markers for the garden. After seeing engraved garden spoons on linky parties, I spent 18 dollars on a nifty-new set of stamps that were going to settle into the metal and create a little engraved set of spoon markers....and then I was going to move into the world of washers and make little jewelry tags....I was going to change the world.
First, I bought this stuff....

I got my hammer, and I decided to start with 'mint'....b/c it was short.
I banged...and I banged....and I bought more spoons b/c I thought....uhh....maybe the dollar store spoons were too high?....too low?....quality, and maybe I needed softer metal....
I bought a rubber mallet b/c I thought maybe it was the dinky hammer.
I bought washers b/c I thought maybe the projects I had seen in the past with hammered spoon letters were done by...umm...machines? And when I say machines...I mean people who can, like, hammer, and maybe work out or something b/c I can't say that hammering is a skill of mine, and I can definitely say upper body strength is not an area I focus on at the gym, or rather, it's not an area I'd focus on if I actually went to the gym.
I stewed for 24 hours. I didn't want 3 dollars on spoons to go to waste. And then I remembered the one thing that never fails me.
Ever.
Chalkboard paint.
I have no doubt I'm not the first person to have this idea, but I haven't seen it, so can you pretend? I need that right now. In other news, I'm going to build a house of spoons....I'm pretty sure it's just about the most secure structure I can think of....I'm going to hold it together with magnets b/c obviously hammering nails into the little steel rods isn't going to work if I can't even dent them with the letter stamps.
I'm not giving up on the metal letter stamps....my fishing line can always use a little extra weight....
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29 comments

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

You clever girl! I guess chalkboard paint can be used on just about anything. These will definitely look cute in pots!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

First of all Christy this post had me laughing hysterically! Very funny!!!! But I think this is the most wonderful and creative idea! I could see all my little pots with spoons and adorable messages like Hi, HELP, WATER ME, TAKE ME HOME... I love this fun post.
It was so nice to stop by tonight!
Yvonne

Susie @ Step inside my home said...

What a wonderful idea. Thanks so much for sharing. Don't you just love that chalkboard paint!

Dorian said...

Visiting from Keeping it Simple...love this idea...will be using it for serving buffat at next get together...LOVE!
Hope you can visit my lil' blog!!!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

You are hysterical! Love this idea. I've bought the spoons but haven't done anything else with them yet. Clever girl!

Lori said...

Love this idea. I was about to ask, how many cans of chalkboard paint you have gone through? Just one still?

Lori said...

Love this idea. I was about to ask, how many cans of chalkboard paint you have gone through? Just one still?

Musings From A French Cottage said...

These are awesome! Great idea. I too, was going to buy a lettering set to try to hammer some spoons that I also bought at the dollar store. I think I'll just go with the chalkboard paint. Thanks for the tutorial!

God Bless,
Kathleen

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

Very cute idea! I think I might be buying some spoons or knives at goodwill on my next trip, thanks to you!

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

Anonymous said...

I laughed out loud when I read your post, and I rarely laugh at blogs, the spoon idea is awesome! But I'm following so I can read more of your witticisms!

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handstand said...

I was going to buy the metal stamp kit to do the exact same thing. Glad to know (before I invest time and money) that it is harder than it looks. Will try chalk paint instead. Thanks for the heads up!

lipzilla said...

Love, love the tutorial - it was hilarious and so to the point and helpful! Very creative! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

What a clever idea! Love how they turned out. Chalkboard paint rocks!

Michelle L. said...

Hilarious! And I LOVE the chalkboard spoons. Don't give up on the stamps, tho, just keep looking for different kinds of metal. It does work - just not on stainless steel washers or spoons. Try a dogtag blank.

Donene said...

Very clever! and I love that if something didn't work try, try, again! I love them!

Terrell said...

Totally adorable and so creative! :D I'm loving your blog and I'm so excited to be your newest follower! I would also like to invite you to my link party/giveaway every Friday at FrouFrouDecor! I love new friends and hope to see you there!
~Terrell @ FFD~

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re:Inspire said...

Love chalkboard paint! Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa

Susanne said...

Great idea and new to me! I wanted to try the stamped spoon thing too, they're cute, wonder how they do that? I found some contact paper type chalk board paper on clearance at TJMaxx for like 30 cents, no kidding. Just about used it up on silver tray chalkboards, kinda like ones I see you've made. Would love to find some more but all I see are expensive cut outs.
Looking forward to the post on the whole she-bang!
Susanne.

Its A Blog Party said...

Great idea!
Thanks for linking up!
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Barbara Jean said...

This is a long pot. but oh so funny!!
Thanks for sharing your fun project with us.

Question:
does the chalk wash off when you water or it gets rained on? Or do you just not get them wet?
I have some outdoor chalk things i want to do but thought it would just wash off. It's Oregon and it rains a lot here.
thanks

blessings
barbara jean

Christy said...

You guys are great. I appreciate that so many can enjoy the journey...and aren't so disturbed by the off brand of humor offered up here in my little world. ;o)

Anonymous said...

Great idea to use the chalkboard paint. I think I know why your metal stamps didn't work - the metal on the dollar store spoons is too hard. When I've seen this done before it was with "SILVERPLATED" spoons. The silver coating makes it MUCH easier to stamp.

Jen said...

Why didn't I see this when you first posted it????
This is a super cool idea! I've got plans for an herb garden next year and I am definitely copying this idea!!!

Holly Lefevre said...

Adorable! Simply adorable. I can so relate to things not working when you see them everywhere else and buy all the supplies...it stinks, but it happens. Thanks for liking to tickled pink.

Sharyn said...

Just such a fab idea - your post has been featured in Friday Favourites at Creative Link Up http://creativelinkup.blogspot.com/2010/08/friday-favourites.html

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

I just wanted to let you know I featured your chalkboard spoon garden signs on my blog! I just did a post on Nine Things to Use Chalkboard Spray Paint On and you were my silverware example!

http://frugalflourish.blogspot.com/2010/08/nine-things-to-use-chalkboard-spray.html

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