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Let’s get one thing straight right from the get go. You will probably not consider this post to be the most earth shattering you’ve ever seen from me. I certainly don’t.
This post wouldn’t even be considered earth shattering if it were written by a tube sock.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s cute … I’m not embarrassed by it. I am embarrassed by the fact that it took me 4 tries to spell embarrassed correctly. I’m kindda tired.
I had a very busy day today that involved a trip into the big city of Toronto, taping a studio segment with Steven & Chris and then a meeting at a television production company. I met with a lovely woman there. A couple of years ago I met with a certain man at the production company. He spotted me in the hallway today and said “Hey! I know you! You’re Karen. Your hair looks better than when I met you before.” Um.
I didn’t take offence. My hair did look bad the day I met this guy 2 years ago. I just figured I was the only one who’d remember that. More than anything, I was impressed with his ability to recognize bad hair.
Onto the “not mind shattering post”!
I bought a scented candle on my way home from the big city today. I felt I needed the soothing scents of pumpkin and spices. But when I got it home I grew to hate the label on the candle, with a force I normally reserve for Rob Schneider movies.
I hated that label.
Martha Stewart sells scented candles like this now, where the labels peel right off. So I peeled off the almost unpeelable label.
I still hated it. It looked nude.
So I went to my Dollarama box and pulled out one of my favourite things. A tube of peel and stick chalkboard.
It is literally a tube of chalkboard that you can peel the backing off of and stick anywhere.
One of the 1,476,533 great things about this peel and stick chalkboard is that the backing has a grid on it so you can cut perfectly accurate rectangles and squares.
So I cut myself a new rectangular label.
And then I stuck it to my bald jar.
And then of course the fun part … writing on it with chalk. Because I’m 5. I wrote the scent of the candle. In case one day my nose goes blind.
Not one to limit myself to squares and rectangles … and feeling you shouldn’t either … may I present, Mr. Happy Snowman Chalkboard Label.
So grab yourself a tube of $1 self adhesive chalkboard and get labelling! It’s fun. Not earth shattering, but certainly fun.
the lesser known of the Spice Girls.
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Kerry
Self adhesive chalkboard…who knew there was such a thing. And there probably isn’t in Australia!
Heather - Dollar Store Crafts
You’ll never hear me complain when someone posts about dollar store crafts.
That chalkboard paper is awesome!
Heather
Really cute idea. I love pumpkin spice candles. Now I wish I could find that cool chalkboard paper because I have TONS of ideas!!
Karen
I know! This is just one of the many uses of this stuff. It’s life changing. Well, not really … but it IS great. Have fun! ~ karen!
Michelle
You’ve managed to turn an insignificant dollar store find into something significant once again. Kudos to you!
Karen
Thank you Michelle! – karen
Liz
Your writing is nice and i want some of that sticky back chalkboard stuff.
However if i did that I’m not sure it would have the same effect.
Karen
Liz – Fun with chalkboard sticky paper is fun like no other. You must find some. ~ karen
Amy Schmucker
OMG I have never heard or seen such magic until just now. And you claim you got it at the dollar store? Ok, I have been dollar store hunting for 20 years now when they showed up in South florida. I tell you I have never been so wanting for such neat stuff as chalkboard peel and stick. Even Michaels and Pearls, our big art store chains don’t have this stuff. Where can I find it other than far far away Canada?
You know what I hate.. That the Pumpkin, Apple and Spice all smell the same, overpowering cinnamon. I have found a great honey apple candle that is local made in North Georgia that smelled awesome. And the glass was hand blown in the shape of a bee hive. So cute. Thats the stuff I live for. But it cost me way more than a dollar.
Mary
You are so funny…..written by a tube sock….Funny, Funny, Funny!
marilyn
karen, k i s s…keep it simple stupid…doesnt have to be earth shattering to have an effect, love it xo
Karen
Thx. Marilyn! ~ karen
Farquist
I can think of lots of places to use this wonderful chalkboard product, but I have a question. If my husband doesn’t like where I place it, does it peel off easily? I’m thinking the side of the fridge for messages.
Karen
Hi! I’ve always managed to remove it from whatever I’ve put it on. It sticks but it doesn’t seem to stick for life. It’ll definitely remove from a a fridge, however even if some of the residue remains stuck to the fridge, just remove it with a cotton ball soaked with Goo Gone! If you don’t know what that is, look at this post I did on it. ~ karen
Laurel Alanna McBrine
Oh, cool – I saw this in another store for $12 the other day. Had no idea the dollar store stocked it too so thanks! This would be great for labeling bins and boxes in my closet too – I am one of those people that keeps changing the “home” of items and then can’t remember what is where.
Patti
You’re just full of good ideas, Karen!
Especially with Christmas time coming, I can see this being a super useful technique to employ! I can see it now: candles branded with something fun for all the family! And maybe they’ll even think I made the candles myself. Oh, I am liking this idea more and more every second.
Thanks for sharing! I didn’t even know they HAD that at the dollar store, so I’m all over it!
Langela
I am certain there is no such item in a dollar store around here. I love the peel and stick chalkboard roll. I want one. And it’s only a dollar??!! You have one awesome dollar store there, Karen.
Karen
Langela – Dollarama IS the best Dollar Store around. ~ karen
Pam'a
Langela– You don’t live too far from me, as I recall. Let’s make a road trip to Canada to hit the Dollar Store. I’ll drive!
p.s. Worst case, I guess you could fake this using black construction paper, although not nearly as fun.
p.p.s. The rebel in me would insist on writing “asparagus fenugreek” or something equally misleading on my candle.
Lyndzie
Neat idea, I’m going to give this a try. Hopefully my dollarama has this chalkboard stuff!
ps. love seeing your segments on the Steven & Chris show!
Karen
Lyndzie – The chalkboard tube is in the “craft” aisle of Dollarama. ~ karen
Paula
Nice! I have this chalkboard paper AND the whiteboard paper, both courtesy of my local dollar store. LOVE IT!! Thanks for this fun post, simply spectacular.
lori
how AWESOME is that!!!
Amanda
Question about this amazing chalkboard paper. I have an ugly tile backsplash I really hate. Could I use this paper to cover it? Or would the shape of the tiles show through? Thanks for sharing your cute and easy project.
Karen
Hi Amanada! No, I’m afraid the chalkboard paper wouldn’t work for your backsplash. No matter how neatly you got it on there it would look “crafty”. And probably wouldn’t stick for long. There are a TON of things you can do with ugly backsplash though. You can paint the tiles if it’s just the colour that’s ugly (as at your local hardware store for the products you’ll need). There are also flexible tiles you can put OVER existing backsplash tiles and finally if the tiles are fairly level you might even be able to have mirrors cut and siliconed over it to get a mirrored backsplash. ~ karen!
Jules
oh the labeling ideas I have in my brain right now! Particularly bc I am out of Dymo tape on my label maker..and Im freaking out- off to find some of this fabulous stuff! My infused vodka gifts this year will have these kind of labels for sure!
Thanks as always Karen!
Karen
Jules! If you’re going to give the labels on something as a gift, may I suggest you spray the label with some type of clear coat. In truth, I have no idea if this will work because I’ve never done it myself, but you don’t want your chalk written message to get all smudged the second someone picks it up. Give it a show. Use some type of low gloss varathane and see if it works. And then let me know.
~ karen
Patti
There is a product called spray fixative which might work to hold the chalk on for delivery, but should still allow it to be wiped off if your recipient decides they want to write something else on it. We used it in art school for chalk pastels and pencil drawing, and the beauty was that it still allowed the medium to be workable, it just made it less likely to smudge, etc. without a little elbow grease.
Karen
Patti – I LOVE spray adhesive. But I was warning about the chalk writing being wiped off the chalkboard. The second you touch it, it smudges … so if Jules gives Vodka with a label as a gift it might be ruined just by wrapping it or picking it up! Now, I must go and buy spray adhesive because you’ve reminded me I’m all out of it! Thanks. ~ karen
Bev
If we did chalk or pastel drawing in school our teacher had a hand can of hair spray to use as a fixative for the chalk dust… might wrk for the labels too. Try one before you give it away though? x
Karen
Bev! WOW. Great tip. I’m gonna try it immediately. Which means as soon as I’m finished my snack. ~ karen
Patti
Haha! I just saw this when I was looking to see whether anyone had tracked down chalkboard rolls anywhere yet!
Karen – Spray fixative and spray adhesive are different things, though they sound the same! Spray fixative was developed for artists to use to try to keep their work from smudging (pencil drawings, charcoal, chalk pastels, etc.). It’s great stuff, and I use it often!!
Jules
Ill practice some this weekend and let you know! Thanks Karen!
Jules
Brittany
Whhhaaa?? I didn’t know Dollarama had chalkboard paper! Well, that gives me an excuse to head there tonight…
mimi
This is fabulous, Karen!.
I hope they have that sticky chalkboard over here.
This is one I would really enjoy, not that I don’t enjoy your other projects too.
Natalie
I’ve never seen that chalkboard stick and peel stuff before. I really like the snowman! Great idea!
Caitly
Mmmmmm, spicy snowmen!
Love your site! That chalkboard paper is amazing. . .
Yvonne
Karen, you.are.so.much.fun. I recently found your blog, and I look forward to reading your posts everyday. By the way, your Canadian dollar store seems so much better than ours in the U.S. Of course, it might just be that you’re more resourceful and notice things most people (like me) skip over.
Karen
Yvonne – Nope I’m not overly resourceful. (O.K. I actually am) But our Dollarama dollar stores are the best in the world. ~ karen
Patricia
OMG… (no, I am not 12 and a half)
This is awesome. I may have to take myself down to the dollar store! Hey, this is mind-boggling. My husband doesn’t think I have the ability to JUST spend a dollar. Ha! That will show him.
Jill@BarrioAdjacent
Dollar Store postings good.
Janelle
Okay, that’s it. You have officially given me enough reasons to visit my local Dollarama. Which I hate. It is not because of the location, or the things inside, or the random pack of weirdos that usually loiter there (that’s my town, not the store). It’s the SMELL. There is something about dollar store smell that instantly gives me a headache. Still, that chalkboard roll thingy is awesome. I will just have to take a deep breath, enter the store, race around like a puffy-cheeked idiot until I find the stuff, throw some loonies at the terrified cashier, and run.
mick
Can’t believe that I missed seeing this at Dollarama. I shall go there immediately and purchase some. While there, I`ll buy a bunch of frames.I shall then glue the chalkboard paper to a piece of cardboard, frame it and hang one in my craft room, one in the laundry room, make some for Christmas gifts, etc.,etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for inspiring me once again.
Karen
Mick! Don’t go buying any glue … the chalkboard paper is a sticker. It’s self adhesive. It’s handier than a pocket on a shirt. ~ karen
Courtney
“the lesser known of the Spice Girls”
HA! Love it!
Karen
Ree
Oh!
I love this!
You’ve made the world a better place today.
Thank you.
O:-)
PS : All the Dollar Stores in the state of Washington are now closed because our mean ol’ Governor raised taxes on employers and they couldn’t stay in business. Poo. So now I’ll have to find another store and pay more than a dollar for your ‘finds’.
liz a.
that dollar store “smell” is from all the chemicals they spray on stuff b4 it is shipped overseas from china. we have enough bugs of our own, we don’t want the chinese bugs too…..sorry if that is tmi! just thought you would want to know….b/c that “smell” is rather on the toxic side, so i could relate! just wanted to share……
Ashley
rocks my socks.
I’m adding this idea to my list of
I-just-lost-my-job-and-need-some-cheapo-christmas-gift-ideas-STAT
Jennifer H.
What a fabulous idea! My favorite quote: “I wrote the scent of the candle. In case one day my nose goes blind.” I aim to try to use that in a conversation today.
I’m pretty sure our local dollar store has nothing as nice as your peel-and-stick chalkboard, but I’m now on the hunt to figure out something similar. Thanks for sharing!
Dawne
Well this seems pretty earth shattering to me! Peel and stick chalkboard…at the dollar store!!
The possibilities are endless!!!
Anne
I love all your ideas! Its a great daily treat. I had to stop my more expensive creative hobbies, so to see easy, fun ideas for under $10 makes me smile! Thank You
Lynn
I found another great blackboard product at Dollarama — precut blackboard labels in a variety of shapes.
Karen
Lynn – Yes. I have those very labels.
See here from my spaghetti & meatballs post!
den
you make me want to move to canada just to have access to dollarama! it’s just not fair!
Karen
Dollarama is pretty darn good. Definitely as much of a bonus as free health care.
~ karen
Zina
What’s not earth-shattering about learning that there’s such a thing as peel-and-stick chalkboard? Now I have to see if I can find some in the UK…
Alicia
OMG. I am running to Dollarama tomorrow morning. Is it sad that I might be there peering in the windows before the store opens?
Ha.
Karen
I went to the *Grand Opening* of a Dollarama once. So no … not sad.
~ karen
Madura
Hi, I just saw you on S&C. It’s so exciting to see your great ideas and hear someone else talk about how great the dollar store is. I go there a lot but have never seen that chalkboard adhesive. Thanks for the great idea. If you’re into makeup, they have some of the best blush around. http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=12099/Blush/Aziza/Blush and their cotton pads never get puffy. So much there.
Cassie {Hi Sugarplum!}
yeah….our dollar stores don’t have any of that cool stuff!!!
Jonalynn
For those of us that have sucky dollar stores that don’t carry this awesome chalkboard paper…which I must buy RIGHT NOW!! Amazon carries it for a lot more $$$, and cool chalk markers.
Chandra Thomas
I want a Dollarama in Georgia!!!!!!!!!!
Karen
Chandra – I KNOW! Dollarama is the best dollar store in the world. BEST. ~ karen
Donna Amis Davis
Well, this isn’t an original or earth shattering comment, because it’s the first one someone left up there a year ago, BUT I didn’t know there was such a thing as self-adhesive blackboard stuff either. Brilliant.
Karen
Donna – That comment was mildly earth shattering. Kind of. Not really.
~ karen
rebekkah
so i’m now completely bummed. not only do you have a great candle, you also have peel and stick chalkboard?! WOW!!! I want some!!!! I’m going to have to find it on amazon, because our dollar stores are pretty shitty (oops is that allowed here?) compared to your dollar stores.
Karen
Rebekkah – ” … our dollar stores are pretty shitty (oops is that allowed here?)” Um … yes. ~ karen!
Patti
Okay. So, after you posted this, I went out and bought myself a roll of adhesive blackboard.
And it sat.
Then, on the weekend, I had an epitome! I’m doing my wedding stuff, so it was a no brainer.. I started making cute labels for on our plastic cups so people don’t lose track of them.
Brilliant, or so I thought. I need 200 labels and only made 81. I am now out of my blackboard adhesive and have been to FIVE Dollaramas in the area, to no avail! I really don’t want to buy the stuff at Chapters for $14 for a 9″ x 12″ sheet…
Help!
Terri
If only our Dollar Trees were Dolloramas…..BUT, I certainly look at the stuff in our version of the dollar store in a different way. I’ve also found that some are better than others and worth a short drive on their delivery/re-stock day. You can get some really cool stuff on those days. Thanks for so much inspiration!
Karen
You bet! I loveeee Dollarama. ~ karen!
Carrie
We don’t have Dollarama in Missouri, at least not that I’ve seen, but I just bought some adhesive chalkboard paper at Michael’s a couple of hours ago. I want to use small chalkboards with relevant details as props in photos and can’t seem to find them anywhere (at least not without buying in bulk) so I decided to try the DIY route. The chalkboard paper was $4.99 but I never go to Michael’s without a printable 40% coupon in hand so it ended up being $2.99. Not as good as a dollar roll, but worth the gamble in my opinion. I also picked up some cheap 8.5×11 frames (specifically wanted plastic rather than glass fronts so the cheap frames where perfect) and colored chalk. My biggest concern is getting it on without bubbles. We’ll see!
Karen
Hi Carrie – Dollarama is only in Canada. I’m sure you’ll be able to get it on without bubbles, no problem! ~ karen
Laurie
This may not be earth shattering for you, but I’ve never heard of such a thing and I think it’s fantastic! Thank you for your post! I’m stripping my ugly candle labels~but first I will need to find the chalkboard roll. My list is growing for the Dollar Store
Karen
Laurie – If you can’t find it at your dollar store they also have it at Michaels, albeit more expensive. ~ karen!
Crystal
Great idea. So where might one go about finding a dollar tube of self adhesive chalk board? So I can rid some ugly labels.
cheryl seals
KAREN, OMG i cant wait to find some, this would also be good for plastic bins that you have, if you change whats in them.!! cute trick i also hate candle labels,i thought it was just me ! thx cheryl