{Pinterest Project} Chalkboard Mugs (as Teacher Gifts!)

Hello and Happy Monday! I hope you had a grand weekend. We had a fun night out with friends, I struggled through Babygirl's first slumber party away from home (with non-family), and we whipped out some Valentine crafts...so it was a good weekend for us. Oh, and I primed the doors in the Pool Bathroom!

The {Pinterest Project} Series is where I step away from the computer, and actually tackle a project I've pinned...but adding my own twist. I kicked off the series a few weeks ago with Scrabble Coasters, and today it continues with Chalkboard Mugs! My pinsperation is this pin from Wit & Whistle. Amanda's mugs are so fun, but she special-ordered porcelain paint that required patience baking. I wanted to do neither, so I made mine with Martha Stewart's Multi-Surface Chalkboard paint found at my local Michaels for $4 (with coupon).

I found these over sized, flat-bottom girls mugs in the Dollar Spot at Target (aka Danger Zone). I played it safe and painted the bottom half of the mug, so it wouldn't come in contact with food or lips.

Using a small bristle brush, I applied 3 light coats of paint, letting it dry completely between each one. And unlike wall stripes, I found this paint did better if you let it dry completely before pulling the tape off veeeeeerrry slowly. After curing overnight, I rubbed them down with chalk, wiped clean, and personalized with pink chalk.

Yes, I have horrible penmanship. They'll just think the kids wrote it.

I took advantage of the flat-bottom and wrote messages I thought suitable for teachers. Babygirl told me 'Zip It!' wasn't appropriate, so I switched to 'Bottoms Up!' Knowing my kids and their friends though, I'm sure the messages their teachers would choose are even more inappropriate.

And since the mugs are gifts, we wanted to fill them with goodies. I can't get enough of My Owl Barn's free customizable calendar, so I printed extras, backed with thick cardstock, and bound by a heart-shaped brad.

I added shredded paper (I buy mine at the dollar store) and chocolates with the calendar, and tied a piece of chalk to the mug's handle so they could write their own profanities messages. The paint gives no washing instructions, but after this whoopsie, I think it's probably safer to just hand wash.

Each mug is packaged in a clear gift sack and tied with a piece of satin ribbon.

 It's the perfect inexpensive Valentine treat, that's sure to show our sweet gratitude. Thanks Wit & Whistle for the great inspiration!

Are you whipping up goodies for your Valentines? What message would you write on the bottom of your mug?


** Also linking up to Home Stories A to Z, Tip Junkie, Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, The Shabby Nest, The DIY Showoff, TaterTots & Jello, Serenity Now and Thrifty Decor Chick**