Thanksgiving Turkey Chalkboard DIY
How to decorate your dining room for Thanksgiving Using Natural Elements, Chalkboards and More.
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, time to share my Thanksgiving decorating ideas and a free printable to use to create a turkey chalkboard with you.
I think I enjoy Thanksgiving more than any other holiday is because it is all about family and being grateful for all that we have.
The day starts out by watching the Macy’s Day Parade. It is tradition – something I have done since I was a child and have passed onto my daughters. I was even in the parade one year when I was in college in NYC.
I worked part-time at Macy’s and all the employees can volunteer to be in it. I was dressed as a boxer and was with the float that carried Famous Amos – the cookie guy.
After the parade – the afternoon is about football and family. We just hang out, catch-up and eat lots. I set up the baron the fireplace mantel in the dining room this year.
I also drew a turkey on my traveling chalkboard.
I found the tree branches outside.
I like the natural touch and height they add to the mantel-turned-sideboard with the black chalkboard behind them.
How to Draw a Turkey on a Chalkboard
If you don’t have a chalkboard handy, make one yourself. I made mine by simply spray-painting black chalkboard paint over an $8 framed fake oil painting from a local thrift store.
Use painters tape to mask the frame before spraying 2 to 3 light coats of chalkboard paint. Let each coat dry completely before applying another coat. Repeat until the painting is covered.
supplies needed:
- chalkboard (learn how to make one below)
- chalk, white and colored
- print out of turkey drawing
- pencil
- glass of water
- cotton swaps or a tiny paint brush
- wet rag
1. To make the chalk on your board stand out, wet the board first with a damp rag. (Keep in mind that when drawing on a wet board, the chalk will look faint, but once dry, it will be nice and bright.)
2. If using a print-out of a turkey for your design, lay it face down on a work surface and rub the entire back with the side of a piece of chalk. Make sure to cover it well.
3. Place the drawing chalk-side down on your chalkboard where you want the turkey. Trace over the turkey with a pencil.
When you are done tracing, remove the drawing to reveal the outline of the turkey on the chalkboard. Go over all the lines to darken them.
4. Write your Thanksgiving Menu on the board. If you wet your chalkboard earlier, you can now use a hair blow dryer to speed up the drying process, or simply leave it to dry.
To remove any chalk smudges or mistakes use a wet rag, cotton swab, or paint brush.
5. If you want to seal your design on the chalkboard so it will not smudge, spray regular hairspray in an aerosol can lightly over the design.
If you don’t have wall space for the chalkboard to lean, use an easel or temporarily remove a piece already hanging on the wall and replace it for the day with the chalkboard.
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