Chalk board placemats

It never fails that the second I say, "I am going to get dinner started," both kids lose their heads. "OHMYGOODNESS!  Did she just say foooooood??"  And it doesn't matter how much food I set out for snacks while I am preparing dinner, they are STARVING RIGHT NOW and NEED MOAR FOOD!!!

Seriously, it's exhausting.  

Sometimes, however, I am able to keep them entertained by setting them up at the kitchen table, providing a plate of snacks and chalk.  Yes, chalk. Go on, keep reading...I'll explain  

Supplies:

chalk board fabric

fabric of your choice

a sewing machine

a very nice and willing grandma

See, last Christmas, I commissioned my grandma to sew up some chalkboard placemats for my kids.

Not only is my grandma super nice for doing all my sewing for me (I don't know how to sew), she is also very honest about doing projects for me.  She told me that the chalk board fabric was very difficult to work with and that if I ever sent her some again to sew with that she would send it back. Of course, this is only half true, she loves me too much to hurt my feelings, but fortunately for her, I don't have any other projects that require chalk board fabric.

I've been using these placemats almost every night so Lucy can practice her letters and sight words. She also likes to use this fun little chalk board drawing book that I found at a used book store a few years ago.  

Dexter likes to just scribble all over them, but that's fine, because the greatest thing about the chalk board placemats, is that I can just wipe them down when they are all done.  

The placemats don't keep them busy and completely interested for a huge significant amount of time, however they keep the busy enough that I am able to at least prep dinner and get it started before they start arguing over who has what color chalk and the melt downs of "but my cat doesn't look like a cat, it looks like a lion but I wanted to draw a cat!"

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Now, it's time to head over to see what my friends have been up to!  And don't forget to follow along on Pinterest where I'll be pinning all our projects so you have a one stop place to locate all the fun!

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Check out the rest of the Campers for this Summer Craft Camp!

Chalkboard Placemats by Sowdering About

Chalk Car Track by Messes to Memories

Outdoor Chalk Board by Spaceships and Laser beams

Chalkboard Frisbee by Hoyby Crafts

Chalkboard Tray by My Craftily Ever After