Cheap Weight Loss Tracker Craft

Whilst browsing on eBay recently, I came across Weight Loss Journey mini chalkboards.

 Now I liked the idea by handmadebyzoe2012 but at £8.50 including postage, it seemed a little expensive. So I did what any crafter does in these situations, I look to see how much it would be to buy the component pieces and made my own.

 Firstly,  I bought 2 MDF plaques with 3 hearts each, for a total of £4.95, figured I'd make one for my friend who is currently joining me a Slimming World. I bought mine pre-cut from agilisltd on eBay.

Agilis crafts & Personalised Gifts do various shapes and sizes, check them out here.

I also bought some chalkboard paint, again from eBay. I chose spray paint as I figured it would be easier to get a smoother surface.

I purchased this from gr8value2you. I actually bought two because I have an idea for the other... 

It was £5.10 including postage.  

 Both sellers dispatched orders next day, so I received with a few days, very happy and will use both again.

I decided to spray the plaques as well as the heart, I thought I could add an inspirational message maybe. Or just write the heart details, This Week, Total, To target.

*hint* lay it on greaseproof paper when spraying, it's easier to clean and doesn't stick.

 I applied 3 coats of chalkboard paint, letting each layer dry for about 30 minutes.

Once dried, I didn't spray the back as they are to be hung up, but you could, I choose some ribbon to attach the hearts. After playing around with lengths, I cut and tied it.

I wrote lbs on to the 6 hearts, 3 for each.

I decided to add cupcakes as the design. I used a free digi stamp from Wendy at Handmade Harbour's shop. Available here.

  

I cropped the stamp to just the cupcake, and then in photoshop edited the banner.

 I coloured the cupcakes in.

I cut out the cupcake, wrote on the banners, This Week..., So Far..., ...'til Target, and applied to a holographic purple card background. I then added several layers of Mod Podge matt to seal it.
As this dulled the holographics, I added a couple of layers of Mod Podge sparkle.

I glued the card in to place, and done!

What do you think?