DIY Network

Black Tie Affair: Cocktail Chalkboards From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-206

This party is rated 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Total Prep Time -- 14 hours
Cocktail Chalkboards -- 4 hours (including drying time)

Make your own Cocktail Chalkboards for your formal party -- reminiscent of the "rat pack" era of the 1960s.

Materials for Cocktail Chalkboards --

Icy blue matte board
1/2-inch tape
Ruler
Pencil
Chalkboard paint
Paint brush
Paint pen
Chalk
Cocktail glass pattern (pattern available for download)
Cording
Suction cups
Hole punch

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Cocktail Blackboards

• Mark lines on the matte and tape them off. It's important to press hard on the tape. This will prevent paint from running into the border area. The idea is that once painted, the tape will create a border.

• Use chalkboard paint to cover the matte boards. This paint is thick and will dry like the surface of a chalkboard. Allow the paint to dry for at least three hours.

  Safety Tip: Read directions before using chalkboard paint. It contains lead and should not be used by children.

• Remove the tape to reveal borders (figure A).

• Punch holes into the top of each board. Later, a mechanism for hanging the boards will be inserted into the poles.

• Using the cocktail glass patterns, trace the patterns on the boards first with a pencil. Then use a white paint pen to make the shapes stand out (figure B).

  Expert Tip: Paint brushes can sometimes be a little intimidating if you are not a professional artist. Paint pens can give you a very similar look, only they are much easier to handle.

Figure A

Figure B

PDF Download the Martini cocktail-glass pattern.

• String cording through the holes on the top of each board. They'll hang with suction cups at the drink station.

  DIY Tip: Tape the ends of the cording off with tape. This will make it easier to thread and prevent fraying.

• Write the drink recipes on the board using chalk.

  DIY Tip: You can use the same concept to display recipes at parties.

PDF Files: To download our four cocktail glass PDF files for your chalkboards, click on the links at right above and below.

PDF Download the Champagne Flute cocktail-glass pattern.

PDF Download the Highball cocktail-glass pattern.

PDF Download the Lowball (Rocks Glass) cocktail-glass pattern.

RESOURCES :

Sophisticated Entertaining: Spirited Food for Grown-Up Parties
1557883459
Jeanne Benedict
(October, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Tool, Equipment and Special Event Rental (HSS RentX)
HSS RentX
Denver, CO 80222
Website: www.hss.com/usa.shtml

A Passion for Parties: Your Guide to Elegant Entertaining
0743202287
David Tutera
(September 18, 2001)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Scribner Book Co./Simon and Schuster
New York, NY 10020
Phone: 212-698-7000

The Sophisticated Cookie: Baking with Spirits: The World's Best Cookies Made with Alcoholic Beverages
1557882940
Jeanne Benedict
(September, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Celebrations: A Joyous Guide to the Holidays from Past to Present
1557883734
Jim McCann and Jeanne Benedict
(November, 2001)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Create for Less
Website: www.createforless.com

Fabric.com
Website: www.fabric.com

After Hours Formalwear
700 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865-693-7490
E-mail: store733@afterhours.com
Website: www.afterhours.com

PlumParty.com
30-00 47th Ave. 7th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 718-433-2434
E-mail: plumparty.com
Website: www.plumparty.com

Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
E-mail: E-mail: knoxjazz.org
Website: www.knoxjazz.org

Wildflower Catering
Phone: 865-384-8624
E-mail: wildflowercatering@yahoo.com

GUESTS :

Garry Lennon
Costume Designer
Cal State Northridge
Phone: 818-677-3083

Jorge Lopez
Technical "WOW" Director
President
J and M Entertainment
26027 Huntington Lane, Units D and E
Valencia, CA 91355
Toll-free phone: 800-585-4235
E-mail: jorgel@jandmentertainment.com
Website: www.jandmentertainment.com

Jessica Bennington
Director of Catering
Dean and Deluca
560 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-226-6800
Email: catering@deandeluca.com
Website: www.deandeluca.com

Jen Phillipi
Wildflower Catering
Phone: 865-384-8624
Website: www.wildflowercatering@yahoo.com

Monica Morgan
Decor Expert
Indigo Moon
498 Main St., Ste. 3
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: 914-712-2690
E-mail: E-mail: indigomoon01.@aol.com