First Day of School Pics - chalkboard sign tutorial

I've always loved taking pictures of my kids on the first day of school with a sign that says what year they're going into - but normally I scrawl it onto a piece of paper really quickly  - - there's a look back at the end of this post....

But with all the cute chalkboard crafts lately, I wanted to make one as a photo prop.  And I thought it'd work great for first day of school pictures.  So here's how to make a chalkboard sign:

First, grab a scrap hunk of wood.  Cut a piece of out it - yes, I did this myself!  I just used a handsaw thing.

Then glue it (I used super glue) to the back of a flat piece of wood.  Hold for a minute until the glue dries.  See how the cut-out is going to make a handle for holding the sign - -

Then I sprayed the front with 2 coats of Chalkboard Spraypaint.  After waiting a day, rub the whole thing with a piece of chalk to "prime it".  Then you're good to go.

DISCLAIMER - - these are obviously posed shots - first off, our school doesn't start til Wednesday.  Secondly, that's my preschooler  - the first grader was playing at a friend's house so I needed a fill-in model.

You've got several photo options - - standing:

Sitting:

Or feet and backpack only, for that "artsy" shot:

So, go make yourself a sign!!  It's so much cuter than my past ones - - wanna see them??

(I highly recommend getting outside for your pictures!  The 1st grade year, it was pouring rain - so inside it had to be)

Sorry my son looks like an evil scientist in this one - - with pictures, sometimes you get what you get.....

 

For another fun tip on back-to-school pictures, stay tuned later today.....