DIY: ikea chalkboard gets an ethnic makeover

We've had this chalkboard forever now, and just recently I had this incredible idea of drawing all over it in ethnic henna patterns and motifs. I am really impressed by the outcome. It just took me a few hours. Check out my process.....

This is what it used to look like. We use it a lot for writing down things we need, or even the menu for dinner, etc. The wood surface was simply sanded and therefore easy to work with.

I used a light pencil to outline the larger patterns.

Then I went with a black permanent Sharpie pen to seal the patterns in.

I used a little red for color. The black and red complimented the color of the wood nicely.

I designed each and every crevice that I could get my hands on.

I really liked the linear motif here and so I used it multiple times.

Paisleys are my all time favorite.

This is when the drawing was complete.

The back of the mail holder seemed too plain. At first I thought of designing inside there too. But then it would all be too much. So to contrast it, I used some old wrapping paper made from recycled paper from Bangladesh. I have never used it to wrap anything since I love it so very much. I simply lined the back with this.