I think it's pretty easy...chalkboards. I don't have photo of what I did last year for a couple of gifts unfortunately.
I made some travel boards for my friend's little girls. Pretty easy, just took a few steps.
For the board itself you can use wood cut to size/shape. Nice piece of shelf wood works great. An old mirror or picture frame is good too. You can paint right over the glass or a thin piece of MDF/Nice sided plywood/etc. There are also chalkboard paints pieces or even shelf liner.
I like to make my own chalk paint. I used paint + plaster of paris. Simple recipe is 1/3 cup of hot/watm water, 1/3 cup of plaster of paris, & 2/3 cup latex paint (though I used whatever I had...can't remember if latex or not). That recipe is from Lowe's (
http://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/paint-stain-and-wallpaper/diy-chalk-paint/article), but there are tons of different recipes as well as chalkboard paint ready to go. Mix the water & plaster of paris together til smooth then add paint.
For my travel boards
I cut down a piece of 12" wide shelf board into 12" squares. I then sanded them very well...no sharp corners or edges. Didn't worry about perfectly curved either. Just smooth.
I painted one side with the chalkboard paint first. Need to use a white sponge roller...goes on nice & smooth. Will probably need a couple of coats.
Once the chalkboard paint is dry I taped off a 'frame' & painted that. You can use any color, color layering, etc. you want. I also painted the sides & back.
I then decorated the frame with glitter clue, beads, etc.
To help make it portable I also put 2 eye screws in one side & threaded some paracord thru to use as a handle/way to hang. As well as attaching a handkerchief to use as an eraser and a small tote bag to hold chalk. I just knotted the handkerchief to the tote bag & I think used a carabiner to attach the bag.
Before use, the board does need to be conditioned by smearing it all over with the side of a piece of chalk & wiping it off. Then it should be good to go.
You can use the paint to refinish furniture, etc. or make larger boards too. I do want to try making a magnetic board using a thin piece of sheet metal, but have other things to do first.
