Chalkboard Vinyl Haute Couture

Chalkboard vinyl handbag

In this final experiment with chalkboard vinyl (for now), we have a hand-stitched, high-fashion handbag.

When the blackboard is blank

When blank the bag looks utterly stylish with a nylon web strap secured to the sides with D-rings. A loop on the lower front contains a piece of chalk that may be slipped out of the loop and used to scrawl words or pictures on the bag when inspiration strikes.

Front loop with chalk

The bag's clasp, concealed under the front flap, is magnetic.

Begin the day with a blank bag looking fashionably discreet and then, with a chalked word or two, become as provocative or in-your-face as you want. Come to think of it, this is the perfect bag to bring to a protest march.

Note there are no how-to instructions in this post. If the concept inspires you, start playing with chalkboard vinyl and make a bag of your own.  For more about chalkboard vinyl in general and other chalkboard vinyl projects see the Chalkboard Vinyl Scribble Tote and Chalkboard Vinyl Pins.

Chalkboard Vinyl Pins

Pin made from tin can lid, pop-top tabs, medallion from an old medal, and little tool charms

The second in a series of experiments with chalkboard vinyl (see previous post or click here). This trio of pins was made using techniques outlined in the Tin Can Frames Tutorial on this blog. Here, instead of framing a picture, a piece of embroidery, or a bit of ephemera, I've framed chalkboard vinyl.

Three blank pins framing chalkboard vinyl

This means you can use chalk to write anything you want on the vinyl, changing the pin as the whim moves you.

The perfect message for international Pi Day. Pin made from broken rusted red clip, tin can, and broken jewelry.

The message below is in honor of a woman named Louise, who frequently opined that the world needs poor sports just as much as it needs good sports.

A "poor sport" badge to celebrate a noteworthy social moment. Pin made from tin can, pop-top tab, and old locket.

The pins can be used to convey your general attitude towards life on any given day.

You could also make a set of recycled, re-usable name tags. The possibilities are endless.

Chalkboard Vinyl Scribble Tote Bag

Tote with chalkboard vinyl panels

Blackboard paint has been the rage for a while now, applied to walls, featured in frames, painted on globes, and embellishing furniture. It's fun but has to be "cured" before it functions effectively and has varying degrees of quality depending on how it was done.

Chalkboard vinyl turns out to be even more fun. No curing required - use regular old chalk to scribble whatever you want and then wipe off with a damp cloth (or a napkin and a bit of spit). Best of all, you can sew chalkboard vinyl, opening up a realm of possibilities. Here we have the Scribble Tote Bag, assembled from a spacious $4.99 canvas tote from Hobby Lobby that features two outer pockets, combined with a couple of panels of chalkboard vinyl. Google "chalkboard vinyl cloth" to find a source of supply. This is a fabric, not an adhesive backed vinyl. I purchased a half-yard of 47"-wide vinyl for $6.25 at Stone Mountain fabric store in Berkeley, which I've used for three different experiments that will be featured on this blog.

A simple addition to any canvas tote - chalkboard vinyl panels

After measuring the two front pockets of the tote I cut out two vinyl panels and hand-stitched them in place. My original vision for this piece was a shopping/errand bag with the chalkboard containing the grocery and to-do list.

Errand bag with grocery list and to-dos chalked in

Close-up of chalkboard panel showing hand stitching

A recent stint helping to wrangle a toddler and a three-year-old made me think this could also be a handy all-around-tote with a built-in distraction activity for the kids. When they start to fret just hand them pieces of chalk (which of course you keep in one of the outer pockets) and let them scribble away. One sweep of a damp cloth and they've got a clean slate and can keep on going.

Fun scribble tote

Stay tuned - at least two more experiments in chalkboard vinyl will be appearing shortly.