My {cheap} chalk paint recipe

On Tuesday, I tried to explain the difference between chalk paint and chalkboard paint. If you missed our little chat, you can find it here. I learned a lot about the difference just by picking up my first jar of Annie Sloane chalk paint last week. I won't show you {yet!} what I painted with my red chalk paint, but I will show you how I made my own chalk paint for a fraction of the price as Annie Sloan's.  

You will need:

plaster of paris a bowl filled with about a quarter inch of water paint plastic spoon

I added about three tablespoons of plaster of paris to the water in my bowl.
After mixing those together, I poured in about a half a cup of paint.
Stir the combo together.
You want to end up with a thick paint mixture a little thicker than yogurt.
It's not an exact science, add more water if the paint is too thick, or plaster of paris if the paint is too thin.

I've had a vintage door in my garage for about a year and my husband is dying for me to get it out of his parking space.  I starting painting the door with my homemade chalk paint.

Once the door is covered, let the paint dry.
Chalk paint dries fast, so you won't have to wait long.

As I explained yesterday, chalk paint goes on very dull and in order to bring out the color of the paint and to seal your work, you need to apply a layer of wax.  I used SC Johnson paste wax.
You literally brush on a thin layer of wax

and wipe off the extra with a dry cloth.

I took out my sander and distressed the edges of my door.
This is the final result with my home made chalk paint.

What do you think? Have you tried chalk paint yet? Do you love it? I would love to see what you have painted with it.